Graduate School

In a nutshell, we offer top-notch support from supervisors, early possibilities to conduct independent research, and connections to a strong interdisciplinary and international network. Rather than rigid, fixed study programs and course work, we advise students individually with the flexibility and opportunity to develop their own research directions, in an inspiring environment.

The unique nature of the Research Center Graduate school builds on:

• Experienced supervisors with profound expertise and established networks in a broad range of cutting-edge topics
• Regular international visitors, bringing new and exciting research perspectives, and exceptional opportunities for collaboration
• The possibility to work in an interdisciplinary environment with well-connected supervisors from different disciplines
• Enabling international research stays
• Enabling networking with students though an international internship program
• By establishing PhD tandems and interdisciplinary working groups, we enable reciprocal peer support. Each professor supervises up to three tandem PhDs together with an interdisciplinary partner. These 36 PhDs in total form the basic structure of the graduate school.
• Fostering early independence by encouraging collaborative and creative research led by groups of PhDs (including allocated funding for e.g. conducting studies and traveling to conferences to present this research)
• Being part of a community that organizes events, workshops and outreach activities on hot topics and important societal challenges, with opportunities for participation
• Bringing PhD students together with other established structures and programs at the three UA Ruhr universities (TU Dortmund, Ruhr University Bochum, University Duisburg-Essen, see, e.g., here)
• an excellent and diverse team which is rendered even more diverse (and excellent) by you

The graduate school is organized by Prof. Nicole Krämer. If you have questions regarding the Graduate school, contact Dr. Annika Bush.