TU Berlin Center for Junior Scholars (TUB-CJS)

Doing a Doctorate at Technische Universität Berlin

There are a number of options for completing a doctorate at Technische Universität Berlin. The same requirements for the dissertation and the oral defense apply to all doctoral candidates. In all cases, the doctoral regulations of the respective faculties apply in their valid version. Responsibility for a doctorate lies with the relevant faculty.

Further general information on the possibilities for doing a doctorate in Germany can be found on the online platform  Research in Germany.

How does an individual doctorate differ from a doctorate completed within a program?

Individual doctorate

An individual doctorate is completed by a candidate employed at Technische Universität Berlin in a position funded by the University budget or by third-party funding, or who is receiving a doctoral fellowship, or earning their money outside of the University.

  • If you choose to do an individual doctorate, you will be supervised by one doctoral advisor.
  • You will work independently and are free to organize your own time. How you use your time will determine how long you need to complete your doctorate.
  • You have the opportunity to discuss your work with other doctoral candidates via colloquia and conferences.
  • You have the option to do an “internal doctorate”, as part of which you undertake teaching duties as a teaching and research assistant in one of TU Berlin’s institutes. The other alternative is to do an “external” doctorate, in other words not employed at Technische Universität Berlin .

Doctoral programs

Technische Universität Berlin offers an increasing number of graduate schools, graduate programs and research training groups. Candidates in these programs receive specialist and interdisciplinary training and continuing education and are supervised by more than one doctoral advisor. In addition, a graduate program also includes interdisciplinary trainings and further education.

  • Candidates completing their doctorate in a research training group are supervised by several doctoral advisors and have the possibility to discuss their research with other members of their group.
  • The doctorate is completed within a structured curriculum with compulsory courses offering specialist and inter-disciplinary training and continuing education.
  • You enjoy professional and interdisciplinary training and further education.
  • Duration: three to four years (if completed within the regular period)

The structured doctoral programs include the highly regarded Berlin Mathematical School, the Berlin International Graduate School of Natural Sciences and Engineering at the Einstein Center of Catalysis as well as the Doctoral Program in Science of Intelligence, funded within the Excellence Strategy. Technische Universität Berlin also enjoys a close connection to the numerous research institutes, such as the Helmholtz Centers and Max Planck Institutes, that form a key part of Berlin’s “Brain City” and contribute to the capital’s status as a center of science and research.

Programs headed by Technische Universität Berlin

Programs with TU participation

Joint programs

© Philipp Arnoldt

First steps

Are you interested in doing a doctorate at the TU Berlin? Here you can find out about the necessary administrative steps and the right contact persons.

Financing

In addition to selecting a research topic for your doctorate, you will also need to secure the necessary funding. There are a number of financing options available, whether you decide to pursue an individual doctorate or complete your doctorate within a structured program.

© Andrey Popov/Shutterstock.com

Legal Issues

Which qualifications do I need to pursue a doctorate? What are the regulations for a doctoral procedure and what are my rights and obligations? The following pages provide important information on legal issues and regulations.

© Tim Gouw

Mobility

Travel broadens the mind – particularly in the area of research. To help support their research work, TU Berlin offers its doctoral candidates a number of funding options for stays abroad. The following pages provide details of the most useful options.

Center for Junior Scholars (CJS)

Contact us at any time by phone or mail

info@cjs.tu-berlin.de

+49 30 314 29622

+49 30 314 12329622

Office FH 5-5
Building FH
Address Fraunhoferstr. 33-36
10587 Berlin
Contact personJohannes Moes

Doctoral ombudspersons (Vertrauensdozent*innen) of the faculties

The doctoral ombudsperson (Vertrauensdozent*in) of the faculty can help if you have questions or problems with your doctoral supervision.

Faculty I - Humanities:Prof. Dr. Kerstin Wittmann-Englert
Faculty II – Mathematics and Natural Sciences:Prof. Dr. Etienne Emmrich
Faculty III – Process Sciences:Dr. Philip Wietstock
Faculty IV – Electrical Engineering and Computer Science:Prof. Dr. Odej Kao + Prof. Dr. Marianne Maertens
Faculty V – Mechanical Engineering and Transport Systems:Prof. Dr. Andreas Bardenhagen
Faculty VI – Planning Building Environment:Dr. Daniel Aubram
Faculty VII – Economics and Management:Prof. Dr. Dorothea Kübler