Doctoral research
Our doctoral researchers benefit from excellent facilities and a lively exchange of ideas between the different research teams and departments.
You will complete your doctorate in our Graduate School Chemistry, which combines elements of the traditional German system and the Anglo-American system. Every doctoral researcher is supported by a team of two supervisors. After 6 months, as well as after 2 years, you will present the state of your research to your department. The audience will be made up of your colleagues, your supervisors and other interested persons. Instead of the second presentation, you may publish a work as the lead author in an internationally renowned and reviewed journal. You will obtain your doctorate after completing the doctoral examination, consisting of a public presentation of your findings as well as a non-public examination. You can write your doctoral thesis either in German or English.
During your time at our Graduate School Chemistry you will enjoy an intensive programme of seminars and scientific discussions, including regular guest lectures by renowned scientists as well as seminars of individual research teams. You also have the opportunity to join the courses offered by the Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology (KoRS-CB) and Academic Staff Development. In addition to this, you are very welcome to attend advanced courses of your choice – for example: physical chemistry, organic and organometallic chemistry, materials science, polymer chemistry and biochemistry.
Completing a doctorate in chemistry
A doctorate usually is the standard prerequisite for qualified positions, e.g. for research jobs in the chemical industry. This is why nearly 90 percent of master graduates in chemistry continue with doctoral research.
To be accepted as a doctoral researcher in Konstanz, you need a master’s degree with the grade “good” or “very good”. Graduates of the teacher education programme (Lehramt) who completed their state examination (Staatsexamen) with at least the grade “good”, may also be accepted.
The aim of completing a doctorate is that you will learn to independently ask scientific questions and work on finding corresponding answers. With the support of a teaching staff member from the Department of Chemistry you will write your doctoral thesis. The thesis defence and a two-hour colloquium about the related topic areas of the thesis and other chemistry fields mark the end of your doctoral studies.
Information for master’s graduates in Life Science
As a graduate of the master’s programme in Life Science you can also continue with doctoral research – depending on your individual specialization in either Biology or Chemistry. To be accepted as a doctoral researcher in Konstanz you must have completed your master’s degree with the grade “good” or better.