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The MIcrobeS (Microorganisms and Infection) Doctoral School will officially open at Université Paris Cité at the start of the 2026 academic year. This new structure for doctoral training will further strengthen the close partnership between Université Paris Cité and the Institut Pasteur, revealing a shared ambition to train up the next generation of scientists capable of responding to the major challenges of infectious diseases through a research continuum spanning from basic science through to clinical applications and public health.

Detailed presentation of the MIcrobeS Doctoral School (in French)

The new Doctoral School reflects a long-term strategic vision, following on from the One Health – Emerging Infectious Diseases (1H-EID) Graduate School jointly coordinated by Université Paris Cité and the Institut Pasteur under the France 2030 plan. It is also part of a broader ecosystem encompassing the Antimicrobial Resistance (AntiRes) Graduate School and the off-site Microb'UP Institute, demonstrating a coherent scientific approach. 

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A Doctoral School to address current scientific and health challenges

The MIcrobeS Doctoral School is organized around three broad scientific areas::

• Biology of microorganisms: seeking to understand the basic mechanisms of bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and other microorganisms, their diversity and their ability to adapt; 

• Host–microorganism interactions: exploring the links between infectious agents, microbiota, immune systems and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms; 

• Infectious diseases and global health: looking at innovative approaches in epidemiology, diagnostics, prevention and therapeutics from a public health perspective. 

As Isabelle Martin-Verstraete, Co-Director of the future Doctoral School, explains:

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"The establishment of the MIcrobeS Doctoral School is an important milestone for both the Institut Pasteur and Université Paris Cité. It creates a vibrant community of academic expertise in health and life sciences aimed at advancing knowledge on microorganisms and infectious diseases within a continuum that spans from basic to translational research. At a time when global health challenges and One Health issues are more topical and relevant than ever, the new Doctoral School will provide PhD students with a scientific environment shaped by excellence."

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A collective effort and a key partnership between the Institut Pasteur and Université Paris Cité 

The establishment of the MIcrobeS Doctoral School is the result of a major co-development partnership between the two institutions. Isabelle Martin-Verstraete* and Yazdan Yazdanpanah** from Université Paris Cité led the scientific and institutional aspects, determining the scientific scope of the Doctoral School and its three research pillars and governance structure.

At the Institut Pasteur, Monica Sala, Director of the Education Department, and Patrick Trieu-Cuot, Vice-President Scientific Affairs, were involved in the project from the outset, in line with the vision set out in the Pasteur 2030 Strategic Plan to strengthen links between basic and clinical research. Olivier Cassar, Head of the Graduate Office in the Institut Pasteur's Department of Education, offered expert conceptual support throughout the process and is now coordinating rollout on campus. He was in charge of liaising with the College of Doctoral Schools at Université Paris Cité, approaching scientists with accreditation to supervise research (HDR) who may be interested and identifying potential host teams, critically reviewing the internal regulations and preparing for operational implementation, in close cooperation with the Scientific Affairs Department and governance of the new Doctoral School. Jean-Michel Molina, Medical Director, is also fully committed to supporting the success of this new Doctoral School, in line with the medical management’s commitment to strengthening the links between research and clinical practice.

The Institut Pasteur therefore played a key role in the conceptualization and logistical details of the new school. Alongside Université Paris Cité, the Institut Pasteur will host around 55% of the host teams and supervising scientists affiliated with the MIcrobeS Doctoral School and will be actively involved in governance, organizing the student selection process, supervising PhD students and developing the scientific and training policy.

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Significant benefits for scientists and PhD students

The new Doctoral School will provide the Institut Pasteur's scientists with:

• a structure fully aligned with the research topics of microbiology and infectious diseases;
• a local governance approach that closely involves scientific communities;
• better visibility for PhD projects in microbiology and infectious diseases;
• closer interactions with the Université Paris Cité teams working in basic and clinical microbiology and public health;
• a harmonized recruitment and supervision policy. 
   

For PhD students, MIcrobeS will offer:

• a specialized interdisciplinary scientific environment;
• access to an extensive network of high-level basic and clinical research teams;
• support throughout their PhD;
• training in research professions, public health issues and innovation;
• an ecosystem designed around the major challenges related to microorganisms and infections, in conjunction with the 1H-EID and AntiRes Graduate Schools.

The focus on three research areas will also foster dialog between scientific communities working on complementary topics.

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Phased implementation among the scientific communities

MIcrobeS will be rolled out in stages from September 2026 onwards, following publication of the ministerial decree establishing the Doctoral School. The first operational phase will involve establishing the governing bodies, with the creation of a steering committee and board, and approving the internal regulations. At the same time, the host teams and supervising scientists interested in joining the Doctoral School will be gradually integrated, the scientific pillars will be developed and structured, and PhD students and their supervisors will be provided with information and support. This gradual process will be led jointly by the Institut Pasteur's Department of Education and Scientific Affairs Department to ensure a smooth, coordinated transition.

The first cohort of PhD students will be admitted to the MIcrobeS Doctoral School at the start of the 2026 academic year. The school will become fully operational in 2027, and applications for new PhD students will open in spring 2027. 

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A new dynamic in the partnership between the Institut Pasteur and Université Paris Cité

The MIcrobeS Doctoral School will help clarify and improve the visibility of a major scientific field, while creating an integrated continuum involving training, research and innovation. Bringing scientific communities together within a clearly defined, ambitious Doctoral School will strengthen the international appeal of the site and consolidate its position in the fields of microbiology, infectious diseases and One Health. It will be a major driver for training up future scientists and developing innovative responses to contemporary health challenges.

As Olivier Cassar, Head of the Institut Pasteur Graduate Office, points out:

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"This Doctoral School will help boost the international appeal of research-based training at the Institut Pasteur and Université Paris Cité, affirming their leading role in training up the next generation of scientists. It also reflects an aspiration on the part of the two institutions to strengthen their strategic partnership and better respond to major global health challenges."
 

*Isabelle Martin-Verstraete 
Professor of Microbiology, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Université Paris Cité
Department of Microbiology, Institut Pasteur (Pathogenesis of Bacterial Anaerobes)
Coordinator of the Master's in Molecular and Cellular Biology/Microbiology
Co-Director of the Department of Infectiology and Microbiology at the BioSPC Doctoral School
Joint Head of the Antimicrobial Resistance and One Health – Emerging Infectious Diseases Graduate Schools
Member of the InIdex MICROB'EX steering committee

** Yazdan Yazdanpanah 
Professor/consultant (PU-PH) in infectious diseases, Bichat, AP-HP, Faculty of Health 
Infection Antimicrobials Modeling Evolution (IAME), Inserm UMR1137, Université Paris Cité
Director of ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases 
Director of the Inserm Thematic Institute in Immunology, Infectiology, Inflammation and Microbiology (I3M)