Jump directly to the page contents

PhD Candidates

Shaping the world of tomorrow together: We offer our approximately 8,000 doctoral students an ideal environment for creative research.

The Helmholtz Centers are excellently equipped and have excellent international networks. We attach particular importance to intensive supervision of our doctoral students.

High quality standards

We ensure the quality of our training through the Helmholtz Doctoral Guidelines:

  • As a rule, doctoral students are supervised by three scientists with a doctorate (doctoral committee).
  • Tasks and responsibilities during the doctorate are clearly defined in an agreement at the beginning.
  • The content and procedure of the doctorate are designed in such a way that it can usually be completed after three to four years.
  • As a rule, doctoral students are employed by us on a social insurance basis. The duration of the contract should be aligned with the estimated duration of the doctorate.
  • The doctoral candidates regularly exchange information with their supervisors on the progress of their project. In addition, a meeting with the entire doctoral committee takes place at least once a year.
  • In addition, PhD students can further their education in special courses of the Helmholtz Research Schools and in graduate schools. Programs for international networking and career counseling are also offered there.

Helmholtz Research Schools

At the Helmholtz International Research Schools and Helmholtz Colleges, doctoral students often work with international partners on highly relevant research topics while receiving specialist and interdisciplinary training.

Learn more

Helmholtz Graduate Schools

Our Graduate Offices and Schools offer cross-disciplinary courses and support for the majority of doctoral students at the Helmholtz Centers. Further information regarding the contact person of each Helmholtz Graduate Office and School is listed here.

Learn more

Helmholtz-Juniors

Helmholtz Juniors (HeJu) represents the views of doctoral researchers from the Helmholtz Association's 18 research centers across Germany.

Learn more

Key competence training for doctoral students

Association-wide courses provide the foundation for effective research and key skills such as presentation skills.

Learn more

Doctoral Prize

The Helmholtz Association awards an annual prize for outstanding doctoral students in each of its six Research Fields.

Learn more

Helmholtz Doctoral Guidelines (PDF)

PDF360 KB
Download file

As curious as we are? Discover more.