M2 Stem Cells, Development, Cancer
The goal of the Master 2 SDC is to offer a training through and for research, equipping you to understand recent scientific breakthroughs and tackle today’s major challenges in stem cell biology, developmental genetics, and human diseases such as cancer. By joining SDC, you will:
- Study in a stimulating international environment.
- Build skills at the interface of fundamental biology and biomedical research.
- Prepare for careers in the academic or private sector.
The first semester combines theoretical and practical training with a literature review project linked to your internship.
- At the heart of the program, a series of cutting-edge lectures will explore three main themes: (1) Cellular dynamics and multicellular organization, (2) Signaling in development and diseases, and (3) Stem cells, cellular transitions, and plasticity. Among our partners are several major institutes of the University of Paris-Saclay, known for their expertise in cancer, development, and cell biology.
- Linked to these lectures, progressive learning activities will guide you step by step in developing critical thinking, scientific questioning, and the codes of written and oral scientific communication.
- Elective courses will provide you the unique opportunity to tailor your pathway with topics such as Non-coding RNAs and Epigenetics, Neural Stem Cells and Nervous System Development, Mechanisms of Cell Death, or even Introduction to Entrepreneurship.
- Two practical courses provide immersive training in real research settings. The first, focused on bioimaging, will train you on digital image analysis, with applications in DNA damage or cell cycle studies. The second explores diverse techniques and experimental strategies for analyzing stem cells in vitro or in vivo (mouse, Xenopus, Drosophila models). You may also apply for practical courses at the Pasteur Institute, such as Mouse Genetics for Disease Modelling or Molecular Biology of the Cell.
- A supervised scientific project, closely tied to your upcoming internship, will culminate in a written literature review and an oral presentation.
The second semester is fully dedicated to a six-month research internship, linked to the program’s scientific themes.
- You have the opportunity to apply in one of the many laboratories at Paris-Saclay University or choose a lab elsewhere in France or abroad. A range of international mobility opportunities are available through the university and the Graduate School Life Sciences and Health.
- The internship is assessed through a written thesis and an oral defense.
Follow scientific conferences in english.
The SDC program is organized into three blocks of teaching units designed to progressively strengthen your expertise and research skills. What makes this pathway unique is its blend of cutting-edge lectures inspired by the latest scientific breakthroughs, and hands-on training in real-world research methodology. Advanced courses in cell imaging and practical workshops will immerse you at the very heart of experimentation and data analysis. Elective courses will allow you to tailor your path according to your interests and career goals. With the help of your supervisor, you will also design a research project before embarking on a six-month laboratory internship.
Whether you envision a career in research or engineering, SDC will provide you with the tools and confidence to achieve your goals.
The students mainly will follow a career in academic or industrial research, either as engineers or Ph.D. students. The main job prospects after this second year of masters will be in fundamental and applied research in France or abroad. This can be achieved mostly by pursuing a Ph.D. thesis, but a few engineer level positions are open after a master thesis. Positions will be found in major academic research institutes, affiliated to Universities, CNRS, INSERM, INRA, or CEA. The Ph.D. thesis will open the path to an academic research career. Aside academia, other job openings will be found in private companies, as this master degree provides background to become project manager in research and development, clinical research investigator or research engineer. This training is also recommended for clinicians and medical students willing to acquire a fundamental knowledge in cell and developmental biology, or in stem cell and cancer biology, and pursue clinical research. In the last three years, 90% of the students aiming to continue by a Ph. D. project have obtained a doctoral fellowship. Some students have complemented this Research Master formation by complementary training in Marketing or Management (MBA). Others have also continued a High School Teacher career.
The International Master’s Program SDC is designed for motivated students in Biology, Medicine, or Pharmacy, who are eager to strengthen their expertise in cell and developmental biology, cancer or other human diseases.
Applicants should:
- Hold a Master 1 degree (or equivalent 4-year bachelor’s in science with a major in Biology).
- Demonstrate a strong background in cell and molecular biology.
- Have completed coursework related to the core topics of the M2 curriculum.
- Have a minimum B2 English proficiency level. No need to be fluent, the Master 2 SDC will help you strengthen your language skills through immersion in an international environment!
NON
The students mainly will follow a career in academic or industrial research, either as engineers or Ph.D. students. In the last three years, 90% of the students with a Ph. D. project have succeeded to obtain a doctoral fellowship.
Biologie du Développement et Reproduction
Biomarqueurs en cancérologie et onco-hématologie
Gamètes, Implantation, Gestation
Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative
Infection et inflammation Chronique
Institut des Cellules souches pour le traitement et l'étude des maladies monogéniques
Institut des Neurosciences Paris Saclay
Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell - DRF/JOLIOT
Laboratoire de Génétique et de biologie cellulaire
Modèles de cellules souches malignes et thérapeutiques
Stress génotoxique et cancer
Stabilité génétique et oncogenèse
Signalisation normale et pathologique de l'embryon aux thérapies innovantes des cancers
Institut de radiobiologie cellulaire et moléculaire.
Institut Jacques Monod, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière, Curie Paris, Paris 6 UPMC, PRISM (LiLLE 1), and many other laboratories in Paris area, throughout France, and also abroad.
The schedule will be posted shortly.
From 01/05/2026 to 03/07/2026
-
Copy diplomas.
-
Copy of identity document.
-
Motivation letter.
-
All transcripts of the years / semesters validated since the high school diploma at the date of application.
-
Certificate of English level.
-
Curriculum Vitae.
-
Detailed description and hourly volume of courses taken since the beginning of the university program.
-
Certificate of English level (compulsory for non-English speakers).
-
VAP file (obligatory for all persons requesting a valuation of the assets to enter the diploma).
-
-
The application procedure, which depends on your nationality and your situation is explained here : https://urlz.fr/i3Lo.
-
Supporting documents :
- Residence permit stating the country of residence of the first country
- Or receipt of request stating the country of first asylum
- Or document from the UNHCR granting refugee status
- Or receipt of refugee status request delivered in France
- Or residence permit stating the refugee status delivered in France
- Or document stating subsidiary protection in France or abroad
- Or document stating temporary protection in France or abroad.