President’s Scholarship for Outstanding Doctoral Students
The President’s Scholarship is an opportunity to dive into research without distractions, build professional connections, and gain academic support. Three graduates share their academic journeys and offer tips for prospective applicants
A Gateway to High-Level Doctoral Studies in Israel
Bar-Ilan University’s President’s Scholarship identifies outstanding PhD candidates and gives them the freedom to devote themselves to ambitious, high-impact research. Recipients benefit from four years of funding, full tuition remission, and support for international conference travel. The program is part of a long-term strategic initiative to strengthen research excellence and expand opportunities for doctoral studies in Israel.
Chen Stern: From Doctoral Research to Next-Generation Chip Design
Dr. Chen Stern, now working at Nvidia’s R&D Center, completed her PhD at Bar-Ilan University after undergraduate and graduate studies at Tel Aviv University. Her research focused on two-dimensional nanomaterials and their integration into silicon chips.
She describes her doctoral work as a demanding path that required long nights in the lab, building and testing chips from scratch. The scholarship, she says, made it possible to dedicate herself entirely to research without balancing multiple jobs. This academic focus later opened the door to a career in Silicon Photonics and the development of advanced computing technologies.
Nir Sofer-Dodek: Research That Informs Clinical Practice
For Dr. Nir Sofer-Dodek, a clinical psychologist specializing in trauma and working with Nova survivors, the scholarship created the space needed for deep academic exploration. As part of the Interdisciplinary Program in Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies, he examined obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) through ancient theological and philosophical writings dating back 1,500 years.
This historical and existential lens, he explains, has become unexpectedly relevant to his clinical work. Trauma, like OCD, often involves navigating uncertainty and meaning-making. The ideas he explored during his PhD continue to shape the way he accompanies patients through complex emotional experiences.
Katya Gottlieb-Weinstein: Support That Opens Global Doors
Dr. Katya Gottlieb-Weinstein, now at Apple working on imaging and camera technologies, began her academic journey in the Department of Chemistry at Bar-Ilan University. Her doctoral research focused on developing specialized coatings with unique functional properties.
She describes the scholarship as both financial stability and emotional encouragement. It allowed her to focus entirely on research while also creating opportunities for academic collaborations, scientific networking, and exposure to researchers in Israel and abroad. These connections ultimately supported her transition into high-level industry roles.
Advice for Prospective PhD Candidates
Dr. Gottlieb-Weinstein encourages applicants to highlight the originality and potential impact of their research, and to seek feedback from advisors and peers when shaping their PhD proposal.
Dr. Sofer-Dodek adds that choosing a topic with personal significance makes the multi-year journey of doctoral studies more meaningful: a PhD in Israel typically spans four to five years, and sustained motivation is essential for navigating such a deep academic process.
Advancing Research Excellence at Bar-Ilan University
The President’s Scholarship continues to play a central role in cultivating the next generation of researchers across engineering, psychology, chemistry, and many other fields. By removing financial barriers and creating a supportive research environment, Bar-Ilan University strengthens its position as a leading destination for doctoral studies in Israel and for students seeking a high-quality PhD experience.