Doctorate at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

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1 Erlangen-Nürnberg

2 Herausgeber: Kommunikaton und Presse der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Gestaltung: Bärbel Rhades; Fotos: Andreas Brunner, Erich Malter, Georg Pöhlein Nürnberger Stadtmarketing, Zentralinstitut Medizintechnik (ZIMT) der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Exzellenzcluster EAM, Foto Titel und Rückseite: Büro für Forschung und Promotion am Fachbereich Wirtschaftswissenschaften der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Table of Contents 4 University Profile 5 Facts and Figures 6 Faculties 7 Strong Partners in Research and Technology 8 Obtaining a Doctorate at the FAU 8 Prerequisites for Admission 9 Finding a Topic and a Supervisor 9 Financing Your Doctorate 10 Types of Doctoral Research 11 FAU Graduate School 12 Selected Doctoral Programmes at the FAU 13 Further Doctoral Programmes 14 Region 15 Chinese Culture in Erlangen and Nuremberg 16 Services for Doctoral Candidates Welcome to FAU the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg! Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is one of the leading research-focused universities in Germany. We are actively engaged in promoting and enhancing this position. Our university is committed to the unity of research and teaching. The research we undertake is oriented towards both fundamental aspects and practical applications. At the FAU, we are constantly developing new areas of expertise of particular significance for the future of science and society. Established scientific and ethical standards guide our research: methods are transparent and newly gained knowledge is discussed in open exchange with the academic community and the wider public. President Prof. Dr. Karl-Dieter Grüske 3

3 Facts and Figures 4 University Profile As one of the top ten research universities in Germany, the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) offers the ideal environment for excellent research and academic education. We are unique among Germany s leading universities because of our particularly wide range of scientific fields including one of the country s leading faculties of engineering. Our mission statement Advance through Networks reflects the FAU s closely-knit network for interdisciplinary and international collaborations at the highest level. Excellent staff, best laboratories and strong partners in research and technology offer great opportunities for your research career. Major Research Areas across the Faculties New Materials and Processes Optics and Optical Technologies Molecular Life Science and Medicine Health Technology Electronics, Information and Communication Energy, Environment and Climate Language Culture Region Cohesion Transformation Innovation in Law and Economy supplemented by additional Focus Areas in the faculties almost 270 years of academic teaching and learning 5 faculties 12,000 members of staff (including the university hospital) 28,700 students (including 2,500 foreign students) 132 degree programmes 511 professors / 260 chairs 500 partner universities in 64 countries 139 Humboldt fellows and award winners ( ) (data from 10/2010) Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg One of the leading research universities in Germany also in terms of funding Rank 1 in Chemistry* Rank 2 in Engineering* Rank 8 in overall German Universities* Top 4 university in Germany in terms of published patent applications (2008) (* according to DFG funding ranking, ; DFG is the most important German research funding association) 5

4 Faculties Faculty of Engineering Chemical and Bioengineering Electrical, Electronic and Communication Engineering Computer Science Mechanical Engineering Materials Science and Engineering Faculty of Sciences Biology Chemistry and Pharmacy Geography and Geosciences Mathematics Physics Strong Partners in Research and Technology Transfer of knowledge is an important goal at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, as demonstrated by the numerious collaborations with nonuniversity research centres and industry. Important research partners are the Fraunhofer Institute of Integrated Systems and Device Technology and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light. 6 Interdisciplinary research is an essential aspect within the various doctoral programmes. Research topics beyond the individual s project improve the skills and networking abilities of our young doctoral candidates. Prof. Dr. Rainer Fink Professor of Physical Chemistry, Dean of Study Affairs at the Faculty of Sciences Faculty of Business, Economics and Law Law Business and Economics Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Humanities and Theology Classical World and Asian Cultures English, American and Romance Studies Didactics German and Comparative Studies History Media Studies and Art History Education Psychology and Sport Science Social Sciences and Philosophy Theology Fraunhofer Institutes Fraunhofer is Europe s largest application-oriented research organization. The mp3-format, for instance, resulted from work done at FAU and in the Fraunhofer research group for Integrated circuits (today: IIS) in Erlangen. In 2010, the foundation of the International Audio Laboratories Erlangen established a new level of collaboration between FAU and the Fraunhofer Institute IIS. Max Planck Institutes Nearly 80 institutes of the independent, non-profit Max Planck Society perform basic research in Germany. One of the youngest institutes is the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Erlangen, where the focus in research is on technologies to create optical micro- and nanostructures. Collaboration with industry is also intense. It is ensured through agreements with international companies such as Siemens (more than 100 projects) and Audi (with more than 20 doctoral candidates working at the Audi Research Centre), besides many others. Erlangen and the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region are renowned for their strong industry in medical technology and health care. Moreover, more than 500 companies are active in the field of energy production and generation. Many other industries such as transportation and logistics, information and communications technology make the area a highly competitive region. 7

5 I am a PhD student from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light. The International Max Planck Research School offered me an excellent opportunity to continue my studies in the field of optics in a multicultural environment. The school has several truly recommendable lectures and seminars about not only academic topics but also some important skills such as writing reports, journal papers, and conference proceedings as well as presentation skills. I benefited a lot from these seminars. 8 Obtaining a Doctorate at the FAU Prerequisites for Admission At Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, doctoral degrees can be pursued in all faculties (see the separate list for an overview). International applicants for a doctoral degree at the FAU need an excellent university degree recognisable as an equivalent to a German Master s degree. In some faculties (e.g. the Faculty of Sciences), there are also doctoral programmes where you may be admitted with a Bachelor s degree. All regulations allow for the doctoral thesis to be written in English, if appropriate to the topic. Check our separate brochure A Brief Guide to Obtaining a Doctorate at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, also available at: Jing Wen, China 9 Doctoral candidate at the International Max Planck Research School for Optics and Imaging Finding a Topic and a Supervisor Check institutes and research groups in your field of interest to find a doctoral topic. Often you may be awarded an advertised research position; alternatively, you can become a member of a structured doctoral programme through our Graduate School. The current programmes are listed on pages and also on the website If you already have a particular doctoral project in mind, let us help you find a supervisor. Our University aims to provide researchers in the early stages of their academic Financing Your Doctorate careers with the highest level of support and skills. This means, above all, giving When you are working for a doctorate, you must cover your own expenses and pay for the cost of living. Ways of doing this include: finding temporary employment as a member of the academic staff, for instance as a research assistant living off an existing scholarship or grant (e.g. from your home country) working for an employer other than the university living off your savings / other personal means. young researchers the opportunity to take on responsibility and to conduct research independently. Professors at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen- Nürnberg serve as sources of support and role models in setting standards. Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Steinrück Vice-President Research and Research Development and Training Please note that there are no tuition fees for doctoral studies up to three years.

6 Types of Doctoral Research Individual Doctorate The individual doctorate does not include a structured schedule of course work. The key element is the relationship between candidate and supervisor. This model offers plenty of space for your personal development and scientific research. The candidate, together with his or her supervisor, decides individually which courses to attend. These courses often take the form of a regular doctoral seminar. The working language can be agreed on (usually German or English). Candidates pursuing an individual doctorate are often employed as temporary academic members of staff or support themselves through grants, scholarships or personal funds. Both a great deal of personal initiative and stamina on the part of the doctoral candidate and the ability to work independently and autonomously are required. Structured Programmes 10 A number of structured supervision programmes have been created with the support of numerous funding initiatives, some of them including scholarships. While candidates still select a main supervisor, work on the thesis is completed in a number of discipline-specific and general courses. Furthermore, the doctorate is often pursued as part of a larger research project. The FAU offers a range of doctoral programmes within and beyond disciplinary and university boundaries, including some internationally renowned graduate and research schools. I am now doing research at the Cluster of Excellence Engineering of Advanced Materials (EAM) as a PhD student. Our group is a very international one and four colleagues come from China. As everybody in our group speaks very good English, it is easy to communicate with colleagues. I really appreciate the strong support and guidance by my supervisor. Erlangen is a very nice and peaceful city, I like the life and studying here. FAU Graduate School The FAU Graduate School forms an umbrella over all structured supervision programmes and provides advice and information for any doctoral candidate at our university regardless of the type of doctoral research. A wide and attractive range of courses and seminars is offered by the Graduate School, where you can enhance professional or soft skills in order to advance your further career. Furthermore, we hope to encourage and promote social networking amongst our doctoral candidates, thus creating closer links among themselves and with their university. Excellent support for young academics is a priority for us. Our overall goals are specific support for young academics and especially for women in academia, a focus on international and interdisciplinary work as well as Guojun Gao, China the integration of international doctoral candidates. Doctoral candidate at the Graduate School The aim in all this is to achieve and maintain the highest Advanced Materials and Processes quality of education and supervision for young researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. Dr. Monica Mayer FAU Graduate School s General Manager 11

7 Selected Doctoral Programmes at the FAU Graduate School Molecular Science (GSMS) The Graduate School Molecular Science is part of the elite Graduate School Advanced Materials and Processes The Graduate School is the interdisciplinary programme for programme Bayern excellent of the Free State of Bavaria, Germany, and offers an interdisciplinary doctoral programme. doctoral researchers in the Cluster of Excellence Engineering of The school is located at both the Faculty of Science and the Advanced Materials. The graduate school programme is based Faculty of Engineering, with participation of the Departments on an intensive mentoring system and strong networking. of Chemistry & Pharmacy, Physics, Chemical & Bioengineering Besides active research in an inspiring environment, the Gra- and Materials Sciences. The GSMS is closely associated with duate School provides special training for doctoral researchers several research institutions: the Interdisciplinary Center for through courses for advanced scientific qualification as well as Molecular Materials, the Erlangen Catalysis Resource Center personal and leadership skills development. and the Computer Chemistry Center. 12 EAM is taking a pioneering role in the promotion of young scientists and this policy is creating new opportunities for doctoral students and post-docs. We expect that the hiring of internationally-focused young academics will secure Erlangen s reputation as a centre of excellence for the engineering of advanced materials for many years to come. Therefore, if you are a highly motivated postgraduate with outstanding academic credentials, then Erlangen is the right place for you to take the next step up on your career ladder. International Max Planck Research School for Optics and Imaging (IMPRS-OPTIM) This joint initiative of the Max Planck Society, the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL), the Friedrich-Alexander- Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS) offers doctoral projects in the areas of Optics, Photonics, Computer Vision, Medical Imaging and Biophysics. Scholarships are initially granted for one year with the possibility of extension for another two years. 13 Prof. Dr-Ing. Wolfgang Peukert Coordinator of the Cluster of Excellence Further Doctoral Programmes Engineering of Advanced Materials (EAM) Emil Fischer Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Molecular Medicine (EFS) Erlangen Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies The Graduate School in Advanced Optical Technologies (SAOT) was established in November 2006 within the framework of the German Excellence Initiative. At the FAU, SAOT cooperates with the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Medicine to provide education and doctoral research concerning the application of optical technologies to metrology, material processing, medicine, communication and information technologies, materials and systems, as well as computational optics. During the programme, doctoral candidates have the Viruses of the Immune System (DFG-Research Training Group) Stable and Metastable Multi-Phase Systems for elevated Service Temperatures (DFG-Research Training Group) Key Signals of Adaptive Immune Response (DFG-Research Training Group) Erlangen School of Molecular Communication (Integrated Research Training Group) Incentives Bavarian Graduate Program in Economics BIGSS BioMedTec International Graduate School of Science Identification, Optimization and Control with Applications in Modern Technologies Chemical and Biological Engineering Graduate School of Engineering Computational Engineering Graduate School of Engineering opportunity to attend winter and summer academies. A credit scheme encourages not only the participation in these academies but also attendance at scientific conferences, workshops and lectures, the publication of scientific paper and the acquisition of soft skills. Structured Programmes exist also in a number of further fields as: Philosophy, Political Theory, Sociology, Education, Gerontology, Literature & Culture, Art History, Media Studies, Philology, Ancient Cultures, Labour Market Research

8 over the world. You can experience this international appeal best during the annual Christmas Market. Since living expenses in Nuremberg are moderate, it is also a convenient place of residence for students and scholars from our university. Erlangen and Nuremberg are located at the very heart of Europe. Germany s capital city, Berlin, lies just 450 km to the north of the region, and the international airports of Munich and Frankfurt are both approximately 200 km away. In just a few hours, you can reach the Alps, which extend from southern Germany down into Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Moreover, the Nuremberg-Erlangen region is a gateway to Eastern Europe with Prague, Nuremberg s traditional trading partner since the Middle Ages, a mere 250 km away. Sports, Culture and Leisure 14 Erlangen and Nuremberg offer many possibilities for your free time: great sports facilities at the university ideal conditions for canoeing, hiking and climbing in the region ( Franconian Switzerland ) rich cultural life from the university s symphonic orchestra up to rock festivals and the Erlangen International Comic Salon very active student community, plenty of cafés, bars and parties Region Thanks to our extensive excursion programme for international doctoral students, you can discover the historical sights and great scenery in the region! Erlangen Young People and a Strong Economy With over 100,000 inhabitants, the city combines a charming old town with a very good infrastructure and nice shopping facilities. Recently, Erlangen has developed into the high-tech center of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. Being a university town with a high proportion of students but also an important location for companies such as Siemens, Erlangen is a flourishing and international city in the middle of Europe. The labour market offers plenty of opportunities for highly qualified candidates. Welcoming people and the friendly atmosphere will help you feel at ease living in Erlangen. Among all international students, Chinese students form the largest community at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. Since 2006, the Confucius-Institute Nuremberg-Erlangen has been organizing language courses and cultural events in order to build bridges for the academic and cultural exchange between China and Germany and to encourage the intercultural dialogue. It is the place to go if you want to meet people interested in a broader and more informed understanding of China. Nuremberg Economic and Cultural Centre 10 k 00 m The International Consortium for Research in the Humanities Fate, Freedom, and ProCopenhagen Berlin Brussels Nuremberg Paris Bern 50 Warsaw km AmsterLondon dam 0 As Bavaria s second largest city Nürnberg (Nuremberg) is a major economic and cultural centre in Southern Germany and the site of the FAU s Department of Business and Economics and of the Department of Education. Shenzhen s sister city is one of Europe s fastest growing trade fair locations. With its characteristic mixture of medieval cityscapes and cosmopolitan flair Nuremberg is an attractive destination for tourists from all Chinese Culture in Erlangen and Nuremberg Prague Vienna gnostication in East Asia and Europe funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research is a largescale interdisciplinary project where renowned scholars from China, other Asian countries and Europe are engaging in dialogue Madrid Rome and exploring methods and cultural concepts of fate and prediction in a comparative perspective.. 15

9 16 Services for Doctoral Candidates The FAU Graduate School provides information on all relevant topics concerning your doctorate organises seminars and lectures for doctoral candidates and young academics to improve their professional and soft skills Graduate School Office Dr. Monica Mayer Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Hugenottenplatz 1a Erlangen, Germany Phone: Fax: We are looking forward to welcoming you to the FAU! The Welcome Centre of the FAU supports you before and during your stay in Germany, especially with regard to questions concerning visa affairs admission and enrolment finding accommodation organising child care and schooling everything related to daily life and by providing a cultural and leisure programme for international students and scientists Welcome Centre of the Central Office for International Affairs Mr Nikolas Kretzschmar Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Schlossplatz Erlangen, Germany Phone: welcome@uni-erlangen.de PhD-students/