Information for PhD Applicants

Overview

The German academic system does in general not (yet) include PhD programs as known from the USA. In contrast, german PhD candidates in general hold assistant positions either funded (i) by the university, or (ii) by third party members, e.g., for project work. Additionally, there are special scholarship programs, called "Graduiertenkollegs". Furthermore, there is the possibility to work towards a PhD with an individual scholarship; in most cases, this must be organized by the candidate.

PhD in Sciences in Göttingen is organized by the GAUSS (Georg-August University School of Science) in which the PCS (PhD Programme in Computer Science) is located. Please have a close look at (i) the admission requirements and (ii) the requirements (additional to the thesis defense) for obtaining the degree.

Your application for supervision by DBIS should give an overview of your knowledge in the intended area (including your prospective contributions to the group), a proposal for a PhD work, and preferably of your reasons why to apply in exactly this group.

Below, the funding alternatives for PhD students are sketched.

Assistant positions for teaching

Such positions are "regular", temporal (mostly, up to 3 times 2 years) positions at a department. Salary is according to the German BAT-II tarif (about 1500E/month after taxes etc., depending on the age and marital status). The tasks include teaching assistance, supervision of bachelor/masters theses, and contributions to administrative tasks of the group inside the university. Additionally you are expected to do research towards a PhD.

Since teaching is mostly in german, and the organizational environment is german, thorough knowledge of german language is in most cases required.

Assistant positions in third-party projects

Such positions are temporarily funded by research foundations (e.g. DFG - Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft - German Science Foundation) or by companies for working on a given project. Candidates are required to do project work, and are allowed to pursue a PhD work (preferably in the same area). Payment is also according to the BAT-II.

Graduate programs: Graduiertenkollegs

Graduiertenkollegs are funded by the DFG, and organized by a group of researchers of a university to work -often interdisciplinary- cooperatively in a larger area. Members of the GK (PhD candidates and some postdocs) hold scholarships comparable to the BAT-II.

The DFG maintains a list of Graduiertenkollegs.

Individual scholarships

In case you have funding by an individual scholarship (e.g. by the DAAD), you have to choose a research group to join. That means, to apply by the head of this group for supervision of your intended thesis, and then by the department/university for acception as a PhD candidate.

Your choice of a group should be based on the research topics and scientific environment provided by the group, and you should also check the city if you are comfortable with living there for some years.