phd politics berlin

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Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - DYNAMICS

Phd programme.

A comprehensive course programme provides the doctoral researchers with a unique combination of

• advanced theoretical courses in Demography, Democratic Processes and Public Policy,
• cutting-edge quantitative methods skills, and
• an interdisciplinary internal research seminar, as well as
• an interdisciplinary international lecture series.

The programme provides PhD students with a unique and internationally competitive curriculum taught and supervised by leading experts from Political Science, Demography and Public Policy . It fosters interdisciplinary exchange to enable PhD students to conduct innovative research that sheds much needed light on how demographic shifts affect and interact with democratic processes and public policy.

The theory course sequence will on the one hand provide our doctoral researchers with a solid understanding of the different concepts and theories in all three research areas through three core theory courses providing the PhD students with a solid understanding of the central concepts and theories in all three fields covered by DYNAMICS (Democratic Responsiveness, Central Concepts in Demographic Research and Advanced Theories of Policy-Making) which will constitute an important basis for interdisciplinary exchange within the RTG. On the other hand, doctoral researchers will obtain specialized theoretical knowledge regarding their own research area through a disciplinary elective theory course to ensure that they are also on a highly advanced theoretical level within their own discipline. Thus, the theory course sequence ensures that all PhD students will have an advanced understanding of the basic concepts and theories of all three research areas, but at the same time they will be enabled to integrate the three perspectives in a disciplinary course to understand how demographic change, democratic processes and public policies interact based on a concrete example in their own research area. 

The methods course sequence will provide our doctoral researchers with a highly advanced training in quantitative methods which is essential for cutting-edge research on questions related to demography, democratic processes and public policy. PhD students will be introduced to causal data analysis through the Foundations: Estimation and Identification course while they get an advanced understanding of longitudinal modelling through the Advanced Longitudinal and Event History Methods course. To cope with gathering, managing and analysing increasingly large datasets by for instance scraping information from the web, the doctoral researchers will take a Data Science class in which they learn how to deal with big data using advanced programming skills. In addition, the elective methods course allows PhD students to specialize in quantitative methods that are particularly important for their specific research projects.

Finally, the professional skills course sequence will prepare our doctoral candidates for the academic and the research-related job market. An important component of the course programme is furthermore the Research Seminar in which PhD students will present their on-going work and the Lecture Series in which internationally renowned scholars are invited to foster not only interdisciplinary, but also international exchange. The combination of interdisciplinary and disciplinary theory courses with advanced quantitative methods training as well as a research seminar and an international lecture series offers a unique research environment that will foster truly cross-cutting research on the highest level that will result in important advances in our understanding of how demography shapes democratic processes and public policy as well as how policy reforms affect demographic behaviour.

Workshops and Summer Schools

DYNAMICS will moreover regularly organize workshops with invited external experts to teach additional or more advanced courses in Berlin. The topics will be decided jointly by the Academic Board and the PhD students to ensure that course content suits both, students’ specific interest and profile formation of our institutions. Moreover, our doctoral researchers will receive funding to attend specialized methods or substantive courses at prestigous international summer schools in order to gather further knowledge in their respective research area, to develop their individual international network and to present their work to renowned international scholars. Summer School Courses and Workshops organized in Berlin can be accredited as an Elective Course.

Conferences 

Doctoral researchers will be encouraged and financially supported to present their research at high-ranking national and international academic conferences to disseminate their findings to the academic community, to receive valuable feedback on their work and to build an international research network. Presenting a research paper at APSA, ECPR, ECSR, EPC, EPSA or PAA meetings increases success in subsequent publication in highly ranked peer-reviewed journals. Getting accepted to these conferences is not easy. Therefore, each supervisor commits to guide our PhD students in their conference application and to discuss their conference proposal either in a colloquium or individually.   

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Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Department of Social Sciences - Berlin Graduate School of Social Science

Berlin graduate school of social sciences.

The graduate school´s mission is to train and promote doctoral researchers from Germany and abroad/the world for both scientific and professional careers. Doctoral researchers who participate in the training structure of the BGSS International Doctoral Program complete their doctoral degrees in either Sociology or Political Sciences. The degree is awarded by Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

BGSS has been funded by the Excellence Initiative of the German Federal and State Governments via the German Research Association from 2007 - 2014.

Starting from October 2020 applications for BGSS are seeked for on an ongoing basis .

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John F. Kennedy Institute for North American Studies

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Ph.D. Candidates

Jessica cheung.

PhD Candidate

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Lucas Hellemeier

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• Doctoral Programme in Governance

PhD research that shapes tomorrow.

Structured doctoral education

Doctoral education at the Hertie School is organised as a structured programme. During the first year, PhD researchers develop their research projects and take skills and methods seminars. In the following years PhD researchers focus increasingly on independent research and thesis writing. Below is a more detailed view of the curriculum  as well as the next steps if you are interested in applying.  

From the first year, our PhD researchers dedicate a significant amount of time to independent work on their dissertation projects. At the end of the first year, doctoral researchers submit a dissertation prospectus to two PhD supervisors.

Throughout the doctoral journey, we offer seminars and workshops to our PhD researchers to advance their methodological skills, facilitate thesis writing, develop their publishing and professional skills, and support with career planning. Further, our PhDs work with a team of three dissertation advisors who provide intellectual guidance and monitor the candidate’s research progress.

In their first year, PhD researchers attend research design, research ethics and methods trainings that support their dissertation research. 

PhD researchers have the opportunity to receive  dedicated training on methods or advanced theories with our faculty in Hertie's PhD mini courses. Further, PhD researchers working with data science methods have the opportunity to get training and support in the PhD workshop on data science that runs throughout their doctoral journey.

The Hertie School is part of a vibrant research hub and cooperates with Berlin's world-class universities and research institutes. Our doctoral researchers benefit from a broad range of seminars and trainings offered by our partners and in our joint PhD programmes  DYNAMICS ,  BGTS/ SCRIPTS  and  BSoE . The Hertie School further closely cooperates with top PhD programmes in the social sciences in Europe in the context of the EU-funded  CIVICA project .

The Hertie School attracts international scholars and practitioners to its activities, providing our researchers with opportunities to meet experts in their field of research. Further, doctoral researchers attend Summer and Winter Schools abroad.

PhD researchers may choose from a wide range of skills workshops to support the planning of the doctoral journey and develop their academic and professional skills. More information on our PhD trainings and support is available here .

Further, PhD researchers working with  data science methods  have the opportunity to develop their methodological skills throughout the doctoral journey with a dedicated  PhD course on data science . We also offer the opportunity to undertake  dedicated PhD trainings on methods and advanced theories and research  by our faculty through  PhD mini courses .

An increasing amount of time is allocated to independent work on the dissertation project. PhD candidates will find a unique support structure for their research.

In the second and third year of their studies, PhD researchers present their research in one of the Hertie School's research colloquia and at international conferences. They may undertake research stays at one of our CIVICA partner universities.

Each candidate works with a doctoral committee which eventually comprises three dissertation advisors who provide intellectual guidance and monitor the candidate’s research progress.

PhD researchers may continue to take the wide range of skills workshops offered to develop their academic and professional skills, as in the first year. 

PhD researchers may choose from a wide range of workshops to support the planning of their next career step.

Many of our PhD graduates move into academic careers at leading universities worldwide, while others undertake careers in international organisations and public institutions, many in research positions. Find out more about our  PhD Graduates.

Interested in applying?

The Hertie School does not charge tuition fees for its doctoral programmes. Learn more about our various funding options here .

Find out more about how to apply to our Doctoral Programme in Governance here .  

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Cluster of Excellence "Contestations of the Liberal Script" (SCRIPTS)

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Berlin Graduate School for Global and Transregional Studies (BGTS)

Doctoral Researchers (2021): (left to right) M. Samaha, A. Miranda Avilés, R. Ollroge, A. Koh, G. Gross, A. Fastholm, M. Weckemann, J. Heß, S. Bergner, J. Veselinovic, C. Kasavan, M. Zabotkin, L. Antoine

The BGTS offers a structured 3-year doctoral programme and provides a curriculum with standardized elements for all doctoral researchers. The curriculum includes theory, research design, methods, transferable skills classes and workshops as well as university didactics and English academic writing seminars. Furthermore, rotating colloquium sessions give doctoral researchers the opportunity to present and discuss their projects with different Principal Investigators, postdoctoral researchers and fellows, and other doctoral researchers. The goal of the doctoral programme is to help doctoral researchers unravel the manifold contestations and transformations in economy, politics, and society, in national and international law, over the course of history and across various areas of the globe. SCRIPTS intends to equip them with the intellectual means to meet the normative and analytical challenges associated with these contestations and transformations. A rigorous academic training combined with training in practical and transferable skills embedded in an international network prepare the doctoral researchers for careers in a number of fields.

Course programme and specialisation

Doctoral researchers can pursue different specialisation tracks corresponding to the respective disciplinary and regional focus either at the BGTS itself, at partner institutions, such as the Hertie School, or at the respective cooperating graduate schools. They are able to participate in selected courses and workshops at the graduate school or programme, such as Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies (BGSMCS), the Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences (BGSS), the Graduate School of East Asian Studies (GEAS), the Graduate School of North American Studies (GSNAS), and the doctoral programmes in Latin American Studies and Global Intellectual History.

Affiliation and institutional network

SCRIPTS constantly strives to provide doctoral researchers with a positive working environment to help them successfully pursue their research. To this end, a main priority is the further development of a strong network with our partner institutions. The BGTS has its headquarters at Freie Universität Berlin where the offices as well as the directors and the management are located. Doctoral researchers will be affiliated with their supervisory institution, but the courses forming the curriculum may also take place at partner institutions. Overall, each doctoral researcher should be integrated into the greater research community by close cooperation with partners like the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, the WZB Social Science Center, the Hertie School and others. This provides doctoral researchers the unique opportunity to experience more than one of Berlin's excellent research institutions and to build a large network at an early stage of the academic career.

Career options

Many alumni of the predecessor school, the Berlin Graduate School for Transnational Studies (BTS), have successfully pursued careers in numerous prestigious universities, think tanks, political and governmental institutions, consulting and in civil society. Employers include Charles University Prague, Freie Universität Berlin, LMU Munich, Radboud University, University of Gothenburg, University of Oxford, and University of Zurich as well as organisations such as Oxfam America, the European Commission, and the KfW Development Bank.

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• Doctoral Program in Human Rights

International Research Training Group: Human Rights under Pressure – Ethics, Law and Politics

Doctoral students in the Human Rights under Pressure graduate program during a tour of the Israeli NGO Ir Amim through East Jerusalem. Image Credit: HR-UP

Professor Tomer Broude is the program chair from Hebrew University of the Human Rights under Pressure doctoral program. Image Credit: Douglas Guthrie / HR-UP

Professor Klaus Hoffmann-Holland, the program chair from Freie Universität, during the introductory meeting in the fall of 2014 in Jerusalem. Image Credit: Douglas Guthrie/HR-UP

Human Rights under Pressure – Ethics, Law and Politics is an international, interdisciplinary doctoral and postdoctoral study and research training group under the joint auspices of Freie Universität Berlin and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Currently seven graduate students in Berlin and seven in Jerusalem are working toward their doctorate, and two postdoctoral research fellows are also involved in the interdisciplinary program.

The range of subjects includes the humanities and social sciences, philosophy, law, and history. At the end of their training, the students receive a joint PhD from both universities.

The project is funded by the Einstein Foundation Berlin and the German Research Foundation (DFG). Another partner is the Human Rights Center at the University of Potsdam.

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Doctoral Candidates' Portal

Humboldt-Universität has proved to be a particularly attractive place for doctoral students.

Every year hundreds of top achievers on Master’s courses at German and international universities decide to take up doctoral studies at Humboldt, either within a structured doctoral programme or individually under the supervision of a professor.

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"I am part of an incredible research group and I'm able to attend all the events that are constantly happening at the universities or other institutions, while getting to travel around the world for regular conferences and workshops. Due to this wonderful mix of activities I get to grow more and more academically and personally."

/// Sofía Garzón, Colombia, Berlin Mathematical School - BMS

„Berlin offers an excellent environment for my doctoral studies in the history of ancient Israel, providing access to renowned experts in the field and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration for a comprehensive exploration of the subject.“

/// Jonathan Böhm, Germany, Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies

“The foundation of my research lies in the seamless collaboration of diverse disciplines. The Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies not only provides me with a comprehensive platform to embark on my PhD journey, but also offers me invaluable opportunities to foster interdisciplinary perspectives.”

/// Lu Tian, China, Berliner Antike-Kolleg

The capital region of Germany is the place to be for

Doctoral researchers:.

Five universities offer doctoral programs with excellent funding opportunities and join forces with outstanding non-university research institutions to generate a unique, vibrant academic environment.

This website will give you an insight into what the Berlin area has in store in all disciplines, ranging from ancient history to astrophysics – browse and be inspired!

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Klick here if you wish to browse through relevant disciplines.

Doctoral Programs

The Literary and Epistemic History of Small Forms

/// Humanities, Languages and literature

Berlin School of Integrative Oncology

/// Berlin School of Integrative Oncology, BSIO, Cancer

Berlin School of Mind and Brain

/// Berlin School of Mind and Brain, mind sciences, brain sciences, linguistics

Berlin School for Regenerative Therapies

/// Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies, BSRT, endogenous tissue...

Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience

/// Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, BCNN Berlin, brain

Clinical Exercise Science

/// exercise, prevention and rehabilitation

Biomedical Sciences (DRS)

/// life sciences, infectious diseases

Hertie School of Governance

/// Governance, social science

International Doctorate for Experimental Approaches to Language And Brain

/// Erasmus Mundus, laboratory-based, language, brain

MDC Exchange Program in Medical Systems Biology

/// Genomics, Medical Systems Biology, single cell, transciptomics, translation, DNA,...

International Graduate Program Medical Neurosciences

/// Neurosciences, central nervous systems, peripheral nervous systems, medical...

Multiscale Bio-Systems

/// biosystems, macromolecules in aqueous solutions, molecular recognition, free energy...

Plant Sciences

/// Plant Sciences, extinction of species, climate change

ZIBI Graduate School Berlin

/// infection biology, immunology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology

The International Max Planck Research School on Computational Methods in Psychiatry and Ageing Research

/// computer science, applied mathematics and statistics, psychology, psychiatry

Einstein Center of Catalysis/Berlin International Graduate School of Natural Sciences and Engineering

/// catalysis-related research, natural sciences, engineering

Berlin Mathematical School

/// Mathematics

Dahlem Research School of Molecular Science

/// molecular natural science, Molecular Switches on Surfaces, Protonation Dynamics in...

Dynamical Phenomena in Complex Networks

/// Networks with complex topology, self- organization in evolving complex networks

Gravitational Wave Astronomy

/// gravitational waves, astronomy, GEO600 gravitational wave detector

Helmholtz Graduate School for Macromolecular Bioscience

/// Biomaterial Science, Macromolecular Bioscience, natural sciences, engineering

Mass, Spectrum, Symmetry: Particle Physics in the Era of the Large Hadron Collider

/// Large Hydron Collider, elementary particle physics, astro-particle physics

Research School Materials for Solar Energy Conversion (MatSEC)

/// kesterite materials, semiconductor, absorber material, film solar cells,...

Molecular Biophysics

/// biophysics, biomolecular processes, protein-protein interactions

PharMetrX: Pharmacometrics & Computational Disease Modelling

/// life sciences, pharmacy, drug development, drug therapy, pharmacotherapy,...

IMPRS for Molecular Plant Science

/// biochemistry, biology, plant science, plant growth, plant biomass, primary metabolism

Quantitative Spectroscopy in Astrophysics

/// Quantitative Spectroscopy, Astrophysics, solar physics, stellar research,...

School of Analytical Sciences Adlershof

/// chemistry, biology, physics, natural sciences, analytical sciences

Helmholtz Research School on Security Technologies (HRSST)

/// physics, optical engineering, electrical engineering, informational techniques,...

Service-Oriented Systems Engineering

/// Software Systems Engineering, IT Systems, Human Computer Interaction, Computer...

Berlin Graduate School for Global and Transregional Studies

/// transnational relations, international relations, globalization, governance, regional...

Berlin Graduate School of Ancient Studies

/// Berliner Antike-Kolleg, ancient languages and texts, ancient philosophy, ancient...

Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences

/// sociology, political science, social inclusion, democratic performance

Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies

/// Islam, muslim cultures, muslim societies, Area Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies

Doctoral Program in Business Research

/// business administration, management, marketing, information systems, FACTS, business...

Graduate School Global Intellectual History

/// intellectual history

Centre for Contemporary History

/// Cold War, contemporary german history, contemporary european history, communist...

Das Wissen der Literatur

/// deutsche Literatur, german literature

European PhD in Socio-Economic and Statistical Studies

/// socio-economic research, labor markets, employment, inequality, Welfare state, social...

Friedrich Schlegel Graduate School of Literary Studies

/// literature, textaul practice, transnational perspective, intermediality

Graduate School of East Asian Studies

/// east asia, social sciences, institutions in east asia, interdependence of...

Graduate School of North American Studies

/// American Studies, Area Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, American Literature,...

High Dimensional Non Stationary Time Series

/// stochastics, statistics, volatility, copulae, high-dimensional time series,...

International Max Planck Research School on the Life Course (LIFE)

/// development of human behaviour, human life course, evolution of culture, learning,...

Knowledge of the Arts

/// artistic knowledge, art history, media studies, philosophy, engineering, pedagogy

Latin American Studies from a Comparative and Transregional Perspective

/// Cultural Anthropology, Social Anthropology, Gender Studies, History, Literature of...

Ludwig Rosenberg Kolleg: Historical Relations between Labor Movements and Modern Jewry

/// european-jewish studies, laboro movements, modern jewry

DIW Graduate Center PhD in economics

/// economics, microeconomics, macro-economics, econometrics, public economics,...

THESys Graduate Program - Transformations of Human-Environment Systems

/// IRI THESys, use of land, use of resources, urbanization, climate change impact, ...

Selma Stern Zentrum für Jüdische Studien Berlin-Brandenburg (ZJS)

/// jewish studies, jewish history, jewish philosophy, jewish theology, jewish...

Thinking Differences: Structures – Order – Communication

/// comparative history, histoire croisée

Walther Rathenau Kolleg: Liberalism and Democracy

/// European-Jewish Studies, democratic constitutional state, european post-war...

Wicked Problems, Contested Administrations: Knowledge, Coordination, Strategy

/// public administration, climate change, demographic tranistion, international...

Computational Systems Biology

/// biological networks, cellular systems, protein-protein interactions, systems biology

Global and Area Studies PhD Program

/// Globalization, Alternative Futures

Philosophy, Science and the Sciences

/// philosophy, ancient Greek, ancient Roman, ancient Arabic, classicist, ancient...

Berlin Graduate School of British Studies

/// british studies

Parasite Infections: From Experimental Models to Natural Systems

/// Parasite Infections, Immunology, molecular approaches, cellular interactions,...

Berlin International Graduate School in Model and Simulation based Research (BIMoS)

/// Modellierung, Smimulierung, modelling, modeling, simulation, optimation

Urban Water Interfaces (UWI)

/// urban water (systems), interfaces, modelling, urban soil, surface water, groundwater,...

IMPRS for Mathematical and Physical Aspects of Gravitation, Cosmology and Quantum Field Theory

/// Gravitational Physics, Geometric Analysis, String Theory, quantum mechanics, black...

Religion – Knowledge – Discourse

/// Humanities, Social Sciences, Sociology, Political Sciences, Economics, Law

Berlin School of Movement Science (BSMS)

/// Humanities, Social Sciences, Sociology,

/// education, mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, technology, engineering

Identity and Heritage

StRATEGy: Surface processes, Tectonics and Georesources: The Andean foreland basin of Argentina

Cropstrengthen - european industrial doctorate.

/// PhD training, stress acclimation in plants, crop improvement, plant priming

Natural Hazards and Risks in a Changing World

/// natural hazards, risk, climate change, floods, landslides, earthquakes

BioMove - Integrating Biodiversity Research with Movement Ecology in dynamic agricultural landscapes

/// Biodiversity, Movement Ecology, Biological Science, Natural Science

Minor Cosmopolitanisms

/// Humanities; Social Sciences; Postcolonial Studies; Cultural Studies; Anglophone...

Theory – Empirics – Practices of Pedagogical Teaching Processes

/// Educational science – adult and further education – music pedagogy – school pedagogy...

Agricultural Economics

/// Agriculture, Doctoral Program

Research School Future Information Technologies (FIT)

/// information technologies, energy consumption, fundamental physics, communications...

Biodiversity, Evolution & Ecology

/// Biological sciences, Natural Sciences

CRC 1114 Scaling Cascades in Complex Systems

/// /// Mathematics, Biochemistry, Physics, Geo-Sciences

CRC / TRR 227 Ultrafast Spin Dynamics

TRR 170 Integrated Research Training Group in Planetary Sciences

Cinepoetics - Center for Advanced Film Studies

/// poetologies, audiovisual images, cinema, film philosophy, aesthetics

BB3R - Innovations in the 3R Research: Genetic Engineering, Tissue Engineering and Bioinformatics

/// Berlin-Brandenburg research platform BB3R, 3 R, Genetic Engineering, Tissue...

CRC / SFB 1078 Protonation Dynamics in Protein Function

/// CRC SFB Protonation Dynamics in Protein Function

Re-Figuration of Spaces

Helmholtz Einstein International Berlin Research School in Data Science (HEIBRiDS)

Health Data Sciences

/// Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Meta-research, Big Data, Health Data Sciences, Causal...

IMPRS Biology And Computation

/// sequence analysis, theoretical structural biology, computational chemistry, drug...

Robert Koch Doctoral Program

/// Robert Koch Doctoral Program, RoKoDoKo

Fluorine-Specific Interactions: Fundamentals and Functions

/// Collaborative Research Center 1349 „Fluorine-Specific Interactions: Fundamen-tals and...

Research Training Group (RTG) "Bioactive Peptides – Innovative Aspects of Synthesis and Biosynthesis"

/// Natural Sciences, Computer and information sciences, Chemical sciences, Biological...

Temporalities of Future in Latin America: Dynamics of Aspiration and Anticipation

/// Latin American Studies, social globalization, cultural globalization, cultural...

Berlin School of Economics

Max Delbrück Center Graduate School

/// Biochemistry, Cancer research, Cardiovascular biology, Cell biology, Computational...

Differential Equation- and Data-driven Models in Life Sciences and Fluid Dynamics: An Interdisciplinary Research Training Group

BfR Doctoral Training Programme

/// Aasessment of food and feed, microbiological and chemical substance safety, safety...

Stochastic Analysis in Interaction

iNAMES-MDC-Weizmann Helmholtz International Research School for Imaging from the NAno to the MESo

/// computational sciences, imaging data sciences, artificial intelligence, machine...

BIOphysical Quantitative Imaging Towards Clinical Diagnosis

/// Bridge, imaging, clinical, translation, medicine

Berlin School of Optical Sciences and Quantum Technologies (BOS.QT)

Berlin Industrial Engineering and Management (BIEM)

/// Engineering, Technology, Economics, Business

Doctoral Program History and Cultural Studies

Berlin Institute for the Foundation of Learning and Data (BIFOLD)

/// Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Computer and information sciences, Physical sciences,...

"Charging into the future": Understanding the interaction of polyelectrolytes with biosystems

/// GRK 2662 „Charging into the future“: Understanding the interaction of...

Science of Intelligence (SCIoI)

Dynamic Hydrogels at Biointerfaces

/// IRTG of CRC / SFB 1449 Dynamic Hydrogels at Biointerfaces Biophysics,...

Doctoral Program Natural Sciences

/// Natural Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Physics

IMPRS - Knowledge and Its Resources: Historical Reciprocities

/// Media and communications Humanities History and archaeology Languages and...

Normativity - Critique - Change

Crc1644: phenotypic plasticity in plants – mechanisms, constraints, and evolution, data assimilation - the collaborative research centre sfb1294.

Global Health

Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin

/// neurology, neuroscience, neurosciences, translation, translational neuroscience,...

TJ-Train – Tight junctions and their proteins: Molecular features and actions in health and disease

/// proteins, tight junctions, medicine, translation, molecular, regulation,...

approx. 3000

Graduate School Students

Applying and Enrolling for Doctoral Studies

If you are interested in enrolling in doctoral studies, you must first submit proof that your declaration of intent to pursue a doctorate has been accepted by the relevant faculty at Technische Universität Berlin. This means you must first submit the declaration of intent to the faculty service center of the relevant faculty. The faculty board will then inform you whether you have been admitted as a doctoral candidate and of any conditions of your admission. The TU Berlin Doctoral Regulations require all doctoral candidates not employed at TU Berlin to enroll as doctoral students.

When enrolling, please be sure to state the degree program offered by TU Berlin which most closely matches with your field of work.

How to enroll

To enroll you must have received the faculty board decision confirming the faculty’s acceptance of your declaration of intent to pursue a doctorate and stating whether you will be completing your doctorate in English or German.

You must register your declaration of intent to pursue a doctorate at the relevant faculty service center (see contact details below).

You can apply and enroll at any time. However, the first step in the enrolment process, registration in our portal, is only possible for the relevant semester in the following periods: for the summer semester from 15 January to 31 August and for the winter semester from 15 July to 28 February.

As a doctoral student, you are required to pay a semester fee each semester like all enrolled students. You will not be charged any late fees when enrolling. However, please note a late fee will be charged if you re-register after the required deadline.

You can find general information about doctoral studies on the Center for Junior Scholars (CJS) website.

Enrollment steps for doctoral candidates whose declaration of intent has been approved:

• You need to first complete the online registration . This is also necessary if you are already an employee at the TU Berlin.
• You will then receive an email with login details for your personal TU Berlin portal (tuPORT).
• You will be able to see the app“Enrollment and re-registration requirements”, after initially passing the app "First steps". Click here to see which documents you are required to upload.
• Refer to the following web page  to get an idea of which documents these are.
• After you finish enrolling, you will receive an email with further information.
• After enrolment, please have your student account linked to your staff account. Please contact the personnel team responsible for you.

Re-registration to the next semester for PhD student

Information regarding your re-registration to the following semester as a PhD student will be send by e-mail to your e-mail account of TU Berlin.

General information about re-registration is available here .

Termination of enrollment (exmatriculation)

PhD students are not exmatriculated ex officio due to their successful final examination or a final failed examination. If you have successfully completed your degree, please apply for Exmatriculation upon request via your TUB account ( tuPORT ).

Access to the registration portal

Registration is possible for the relevant semester in the following periods: for the summer semester from 15.01. - 31.08. for the winter semester from 15.07. - 28.02.

• Faculty I declaration of intent (pdf, 277 kB)
• Faculty II declaration of intent (pdf, 2.56 MB)
• Faculty III declaration of intent (pdf, 169 kB)
• Faculty IV declaration of intent (pdf, 1.31 MB)
• Faculty V declaration of intent (pdf, 223 kB)
• Faculty VI declaration of intent (pdf, 1.44 MB)
• Faculty VII declaration of intent (pdf, 675 kB)

Current information of Office of Student Affairs

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• PhD Global Health

The structured PhD program Global Health at the Charité is a collaboration between seven partnering institutions. It aims to train excellent scientists for leadership positions in global health. The program imparts an interdisciplinary  perspective on health and a sensitivity to inter-cultural factors affecting health.

Applications are accepted from June 20 to August 20, 2024 for admission in October 2024.

The next application window will be January 15 to March 1, 2025  for admission in October 2025.

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Key Facts - PhD Global Health

Seven collaborating partners in Berlin

• Enrollment at the Charité
• Language of instruction is English
• University degree conferred: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Standard period of study 3 years / 6 semesters

• 30 ECTS course work
• 150 ECTS scientific research work (dissertation)

Admission of 15 doctoral candidates per year

• Eligibility requirements are a master’s degree or equivalent
• Application period 2024 TBA
• First PhD Cohort starting October 2024

The structured PhD Global Health is tuition free

If you have any questions please check our FAQs oder send an Email to  phd-globalhealth(at)charite.de

Cooperating Partners - PhD Global Health

The structured PhD Global Health is a joint doctoral program hosted at the Charité. It brings together the outstanding expertise in Global Health of the following seven cooperating partners (in alphabetical order):

• Charité -  Universitätsmedizin Berlin
• Freie Universität Berlin (FU)
• Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU)
• Robert Koch-Institut (RKI)
• Technische Universität Berlin (TU)
• Universität Potsdam
• Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin (WZB)

PhD candidates are enrolled at the Charité. The degree awarded upon completion of the three year program is PhD in Global Health. The program requires participants to complete 30 ECTS of coursework divided over the 6 semesters and work on a research project (equivalent to 150 ECTS / 5 Semesters) that will result in publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals (doctorate by publication). The program concludes with an oral defense.

The thematic focus of the doctoral program is based on the health-relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The topics we wish to address include communicable and non-communicable diseases, the prevention and control of disease outbreaks, global health security, migration and health, universal health coverage, the role of climate and the environment as determinants of health, One Health, governance and health policy, health economics, community engagement as well as digitalization in healthcare. The doctoral program approaches research topics from an interdisciplinary perspective and incorporates a variety of methodological and conceptual approaches. Through the close exchange between teachers, supervisors and doctoral students, we support the critical examination of institutional and political constellations in the field of global health.

Modes of Study

The PhD Global Health seeks to develop expertise around the globe. We hope to provide prospective students with modes of participation that match their needs and their lifestyles, regardless of where they are from. You can chose to relocate to Berlin for the program or you can stay in your home country and travel to Berlin to participate in coursework and for temporary research stays.

Berlin-based track

• The Berlin-based PhD allows you to live in Berlin and expects you to travel for field research, research exchanges or conferences. This path is often more convenient for EU candidates.

Sandwich track

The intent of the sandwich track is for PhD students to conduct their research as well as to continue their work and career development in their home country, while receiving input and exchange opportunities in Berlin. Sandwich track PhD students join a cohort of young researchers in Berlin, but also maintain a strong research network and the career support of a sending institution in their home country, where their PhD research is embedded. Sandwich track PhD students expand the Berlin PhD Global Health program’s research networks and collaborative reach. The sandwich track allows PhD students to limit the time spent in Berlin to research stays of 3 months or less per year. This often makes it easier to meet visa requirements and limits costs.

• Sandwich track PhD students start the doctoral program by spending 3 months from October to December in Berlin, while completing the required Core Course in Global Health. They subsequently return to their home country to continue their work and pursue their research project in their home country. Sandwich track PhD students participate in the required course Doctoral Student Seminar remotely, together will all the other PhD students.  
• Sandwich track PhD students come back to Berlin for a second research stay the following year, again for 3 months from October to December, while completing the required course Mentored Teaching in Global Health.
• Sandwich track PhD students can complete their elective courses either in their home country, or during their research stays in Germany, or in any other country of their choice.
• Sandwich track PhD students are supervised by an interdisciplinary supervisory team that includes researchers from Berlin and their home institution. Though the first supervisor must come from the Berlin Coorperating Partners, we aim to provide sandwich track PhD students with a shared and collaborative supervision.
• The oral defence of the PhD can take place either online or in-person.

What is Global Health?

Global Health is a dynamic and interdisciplinary field dedicated to addressing health challenges on a global scale. Focused on promoting well-being, preventing diseases, and improving healthcare access for all , it transcends national borders to tackle complex health issues that affect diverse populations worldwide. Global Health professionals work collaboratively to understand and address the social, economic, and environmental determinants of health, striving to create equitable and sustainable solutions.

From infectious diseases to non-communicable illnesses, Global Health emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, research, and policy development to build resilient healthcare systems and foster a healthier future for communities across the globe.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) guide the major themes of  PhD Global Health program. Program participants are encouraged to approach their research from conceptually and methodologically innovative perspectives. The topics to be addressed include communicable and non-communicable diseases, pandemic intelligence, monitoring, surveillance and prevention, migration and health, universal health coverage, the role of climate and environment as determinants of health, One Health, governance and health policy, as well as digitalization and health. The PhD Global Health aims to approach research from an interdisciplinary perspective, incorporating a variety of methodological and conceptual approaches. Close exchanges between faculty, supervisors and doctoral candidates encourage critical thinking and innovation in Global Health.

A PhD in Global Health opens the door to a myriad of impactful and diverse career prospects at the intersection of healthcare, research, and policy. Graduates are well-equipped to take on leadership roles in international organizations, governmental agencies, non-profit institutions, and academic settings. As researchers, they contribute to advancing our understanding of global health challenges, developing innovative interventions, and shaping evidence-based policies. Professionals with a PhD in Global Health may also engage in fieldwork, implementing health programs and strategies in diverse communities around the world. Additionally, opportunities exist in academia, where individuals can contribute to the education and mentorship of the next generation of global health leaders. With a unique skill set that combines research, critical thinking, and cross-cultural understanding , those with a PhD in Global Health are poised to make a meaningful impact on global healthcare disparities and contribute to the development of sustainable and equitable health systems worldwide.

Further information

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PhD Programs

(Last update: 30. Juni 2023)

If you are interested in starting your doctoral thesis at our institute, you can choose between two options:

1. Individual Doctorate

2. PhD Program in Research Clusters or at a Graduate School

For an overview of ongoing and completed doctoral projects at the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology please see:

-  List of completed doctoral dissertations

-  List of ongoing doctoral research projects

The individual doctorate – independent research under supervision of a professor – is still the most common way to pursue a doctorate in Germany. This usually provides greater freedom as far as the choice of subject is concerned. If you have an interesting idea for a doctoral project, please contact one of the following professors who are authorized to supervise doctoral projects. Your proposed project should fit into their areas of research:)

• Prof. Dr. Hansjörg Dilger Full Professor at the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology - thematically : Anthropology of religion (esp. Pentecostalism and Islam; religious diversity); Medical anthropology (HIV/AIDS, anthropology of biomedicine, transnationalization of health, medicine and healing), Sexuality, kinship and gender (esp. masculinities), Transnationalism and migration, Anthropology of education and learning. - regionally : Eastern and Southern Africa, migratory and transnational contexts - see also : List of currant doctoral projects supervised by H. Dilger
• Prof. Dr. Claudia Liebelt Full professor at the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology - thematically: anthropology of the body and the senses, gender and sexuality, religion, migration and Critical Beauty Studies as well as debates on new materialism, toxicity and postsecularism. - regionally: Middle East, Turkey, Israel and Morocco, Philippines.
• Prof. Dr. Kai Kresse Special professor of Social and Cultural anthropology and Vice-Director of the Leibniz-Zentrum Moderner Orient Berlin - regionally : Africa (East Africa, Swahil Coast, Southern Africa, trans-regional connections esp. Indian Ocean, Muslim World; open for all regions - thematically : anthropology and philosophy; intellectual culture and social practise; regional literatures; local thinkers; religion and society, Muslim Worlds; post-colonial experience; anthropology of texts; Cultural and Social theoriy; mobility and trans-regional Research
• Prof. Dr. Thomas Stodulka Junior Professor at the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology regionally: South East Asia thematically: Psychological Anthropology, Social Inequalities, marginalization, stigmatization, Medical Anthropology, Childhood, Youth, Life course, Emotion and Affect, Reflexive Ethnography

- r egionally : Mexico and the transnational space of Mexico/USA; Mesoamerica and the Gran Chichimeca; Cuba and the transnational space of Cuba/USA; the Spanish-speaking and Anglophone Caribbean; Peruvian Amazonia

• Prof. Dr. Stephanie Schütze Univ. Prof. for Social and Cultural Anthropology at Lateinamerikanisches Institut of Freie Universität Berlin Regional Focus on: Latin America Research Focus on: migration and gender
• Prof. Dr. Barbara Göbel Honorary Professor of Social and Cultural Antrhropology and Director of the Ibero-American Institute - regionally : Latin America - thematically : Cultural dimensions of risk management; vulnerability; Institutions and global environmental change, environmental perception; Gender relations and social identity; Knowledge circulation, knowledge forms, archives of knowledge
• PD Dr. Tilo Grätz Privatdozent Social and Cultural Anthropology - thematically : media anthropology, economic anthropology, political and social anthropology, technical anthropology, migration and transnationality, politics of memory - regionally : West Africa (esp. Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana); Europe (Brandenburg; South Italy)

PD Dr. Paola Margherita Ivanov Privatdozentin Social and Cultural Anthropology; main profession: curator of the East-, North East-, Central and South African Collections at the Ethnological Museum - regionally : Indian Ocean Indischer Ozean and Eastr Africa coastal cities;  Central-, North East - and East Africa - thematically : yet to be published here

Once you contact one (or several) of the above mentioned professors with the proposal of pursuing a doctoral degree under her/his supervision, please add:

• a short sketch of your doctoral project (150-200 words)
• copies of your academic qualifications (requirement for acceptance as a doctoral candidate is generally a very good final degree)

If you have found a supervisor who is interested in supervising your doctoral project, he or she will also inform you about funding or scholarship opportunities.

There are no scholarships for individual doctorates provided directly by the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology.

2. PhD Programs in Research Clusters or at a Graduate School

Pursuing doctoral studies in a doctoral degree program, doctoral candidates come together to work on projects related to a common interdisciplinary research topic. During the course of their doctorate, junior researchers are trained in obtaining a broad set of skills to enhance their personal, professional and career development. 

The Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology participates in the following Research Clusters and Graduate Schools which offer formalized PhD course programs. For information and modes of application please consult the following websites:

• Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies
• Graduate School of East Asian Studies

Detailed Information on PhD Procedures

Detailed information on the technical aspects of PhD procedures in our faculty (Department of Political and Social Sciences) can be found on the website

Attaining a Doctorate in the Department of Political and Social Sciences http://www.polsoz.fu-berlin.de/en/nachwuchsfoerderung/promotion/index.html

There you find detailed information on

• the Individual Doctorate
• the Structured Doctorate
• the Cumulative Doctoral Thesis
• the Conflict Counselling as well as
• a List of Frequently Asked Questions and
• the Regulations for the Conduct of Doctoral Examinations