Work at Jülich as a Doctoral Researcher

Overview

More than 1,000 doctoral researchers from about 50 countries are conducting research at Jülich for their doctoral theses. In addition to intensive scientific supervision at the respective institute, Forschungszentrum Jülich has set up the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors (JuDocS), which offers all doctoral researchers an interdisciplinary, English-language training programme, structured project monitoring, and advice and support from experienced supervisors. If any conflicts arise in the course of the doctoral degree, there is an independent and strictly confidential crisis counselling team ready to help both doctoral researchers and supervisors. Doctoral researchers from diverse fields are well networked at Forschungszentrum Jülich and DocTeam provides them with space for professional and social exchanges.

In an interview, DocTeam spokespersons (2022) talk about their doctoral studies and their involvement in the DocTeam.

PhD vacancies - application information

If you would like to undertake your doctoral degree on the Jülich campus or at one of Forschungszentrum Jülich's other sites, you can either apply for one of the PhD vacancies advertised or contact one of the institutes working in a suitable field and submit a speculative application.

Reasons for a doctoral project at Forschungszentrum Jülich

Forschungszentrum Jülich offers excellent conditions for a doctoral project: a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary topics offered by top-class institutes and internationally renowned scientific experts, an outstanding scientific infrastructure, extensive opportunities to promote scientific and personal development as well as excellent networking possibilities and the best conditions for your further career.

Contract and general conditions

Most doctoral researchers who come to Jülich have a three-year doctoral contract with Forschungszentrum Jülich. This contract regulates matters such as working hours, remuneration, and annual leave entitlements. Doctoral researchers are covered by statutory social and health insurance and are entitled to parental leave. Scholarship holders and doctoral researchers employed by a university or industry partner can also conduct part of their research at Forschungszentrum Jülich. To learn about available opportunities, you can directly contact an institute in your subject area.

Graduate schools

Depending on their field of work, doctoral researchers can enrol in graduate schools and research training groups run jointly by Forschungszentrum Jülich and neighbouring universities. The internal requirements and the JuDocS course programme are coordinated with the research training groups and graduate schools on Jülich's campus.

International funding programmes

Forschungszentrum Jülich is a research institution with a strong international network. Jülich's doctoral researchers also benefit from strategic partnerships with excellent partners from all over the world. International scholarships or research stays offer doctoral researchers from abroad the opportunity to conduct research at Forschungszentrum Jülich. Conversely, German doctoral researchers can have their research stays funded at a foreign partner institution as part of a research project. Forschungszentrum Jülich provides advice on selected exchange and scholarship opportunities both in Germany and abroad. Get an overview of possible funding opportunities.

The PhD vacancies you find on our jobs website are already funded.

Research in Germany: PhD Pathfinder

The tool "PhD Pathfinder" provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research will guide you through the process of planning your PhD in Germany. In six sections, you can find out about your options and possible paths by answering a few simple questions.

_{Copyright images on this page: Forschungszentrum Jülich / Sascha Kreklau}