The approximately 5,000 PhD students working in the various Helmholtz Centres contribute significantly to the outstanding research conducted within the Association today. They are also the leading scientists of tomorrow. Thus the Helmholtz Association regards supporting and training doctoral students as one of the main goals of its talent management strategy.

The Initiative and Networking Fund has funded Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Helmholtz Research Schools since 2006 with the aim of providing a qualitative and quantitative addition to the existing range of choices for available in Germany. These schools offer doctoral students a well-structured framework with professional guidance and supervision by senior researchers and a custom-tailored curriculum that enables them to acquire key professional qualifications and complementary skills.

Structured doctoral training in the Helmholtz Association is based on uniform standards and guidelines agreed upon by all Centres.

Current PhD Opportunities and Current Calls for Proposals

For students: Current PhD opportunities in the Helmholtz Association

For Helmholtz Centres: Current calls for proposals to establish Research and Graduate Schools