The doctoral programme in Ecology provides advanced study for graduates of biology and related fields. Participants are educated in conceptual, methodological and technical areas of relevant ecological disciplines and simultaneously guided towards independent research work and solving comprehensive scientific problems. The central component of the study is the doctoral project. Its thematic definition, methodological design and solution procedure usually derive from currently solved scientific projects, secured by grant funding. Its foundation always consists of clearly formulated scientific hypotheses in advance. The work progress is continuously consulted with the supervisor and monitored in annual evaluations. A desirable component of the doctoral thesis is an internship at a foreign workplace specialised in the area of the doctoral project.

The graduate becomes an expert in the relevant ecological discipline, capable of independent research activity, with a broad spectrum of applications in research teams of corresponding focus. Graduates find employment at universities, in academic and departmental research institutes, in commercial enterprises, public administration and civil sector organisations that deal with various aspects of ecological research and applied ecology from plant protection, through restoration of damaged areas to global ecological problems at the landscape level and global climate change.

Admission procedure

The admission procedure takes place twice a year, usually during January/February and June. All conditions are listed here. The place and specific date are announced to applicants and simultaneously published on these web pages.

  • The alternative date takes place more than two weeks after the regular date and is announced the same way as the regular date with sufficient advance notice.
  • The applicant submits together with the application for doctoral studies an outline of the topic of the dissertation thesis, structured into aims – methodology – financial cover – literature, in the range of 1,000-2,000 words. Discussion of this topic is usually a key component of the admission examination.
  • The participation of the applicant's potential supervisor in the admission procedure is highly desirable. Their opinion and interest in supervising the applicant are important guidance for the admission committee's decision-making. The applicant ensures the participation of the potential supervisor in the admission procedure.
  • Reasons for non-admission of an applicant may include especially:
    • the applicant has not secured a specific topic with a specific supervisor (including financial coverage and definition of the space where the work will be performed)
    • the applicant has not demonstrated the necessary prerequisites for study and independent scientific work
  • Prerequisites for study and independent scientific work are demonstrated through an oral interview with committee members. For graduates of faculties other than the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, greater emphasis is placed on determining the level of knowledge in ecology; if necessary, more specialised examinations are specified in the student's study plan so that the level of knowledge at the end of study for all graduates corresponds to the required standard of the Faculty of Science, Charles University.
  • Based on the results of the admission interview, the committee selects students whom it recommends for admission and creates their ranking.
  • The final decision on student admission is made by the dean of the faculty; the student has the right to appeal against the dean's decision.

Important forms

Here are available for download some forms important for current doctoral students:

  • Application for state doctoral examination
  • Study plan of doctoral study
  • Request for interruption/extension of study or change in study plan

Requirements for state doctoral examination

The Ph.D. board specifies according to the Code of Study and Examination the requirements for the state doctoral examination as follows: The state doctoral examination neither substantively nor formally copies the state master's examination and is maximally adapted to the student's specific topic. The first question is general with respect to the dissertation topic, the second professionally corresponding to the topic, and the third specifically focused on the problem being solved.

The obligation to pass the state doctoral examination applies to students who began their studies until autumn 2024. For students who began their studies in 2025 and later, a new study obligation called "Discussion on the Dissertation Topic" was introduced. The discussion represents a debate over the current progress of the dissertation thesis, its methodology and preliminary research findings, which takes place in front of a committee.

Requirements and recommendations for dissertation defense

The doctoral dissertation thesis usually consists of a general introduction and attached scientific works –published or accepted for publication in peer-reviewed articles (possibly book chapters or other types of peer-reviewed scientific publications) or unpublished manuscripts (prepared for submission). The total number of required manuscripts and publications is at least three; it follows from the Higher Education Act that at least one of the publications forming part of the dissertation thesis must be published or accepted for publication with the Ph.D. candidate as its first author.

The introduction of the dissertation thesis should not be merely a brief summary of the content of the attached works but should place them in a broader context. If the thesis does not contain a separate chapter with a generalising conclusion, such text should be included in the introduction. The thesis is usually written completely in English, including the introduction (amongst other reasons so that foreign experts can be invited for review). In justified cases, the introduction can be written in Czech, or chapters written in Czech or another language can be included. However, the focus of the thesis should be on manuscripts that can be expected to undergo successful review in impacted journals.

The Ph.D. board recommends that the submitted dissertation includes at least one publication published or accepted for publication in a respected journal indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection database (i.e., a "journal with an impact factor"). The specific scientometric parameters of the target journals are not specified, as the quality of publications is primarily judged by referees and the evaluation committee on the basis of their content and the student's contribution, not merely on the ranking, prestige or impact factor of the journal.

The doctoral dissertation thesis is submitted only electronically. Together with the thesis, the student submits a detailed professional curriculum vitae. An abstract containing a brief summary of the thesis content is no longer required by the Ph.D. board.

The submitted thesis is evaluated by two Czech or foreign reviewers; a supervisor's review is not requested.

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