PIER doctoral programme
In the PIER doctoral programme, doctoral researchers benefit from an internationally recognised structured programme for doctoral researchers in their respective research fields. In the center of the programme stands the PHGS curriculum which ensures a high level of scientific education and extra-curricular training including tailor-made German language courses. Another focus of the doctoral programme is scientific supervision which takes place on the highest level possible. And last but not least all members of the PIER Helmholtz Gradute School can rely on the PHGS team which is caring about the well-being of each of its members and is available for all questions, needs and enquiries.
Doctoral researchers who successfully complete the PHGS curriculum receive a certificate and a transcript of records (ToR). Prerequisite for this is that the doctorate has been successfully defended at a university.
Research Fields
Particle & astroparticle physics Photon science Nanoscience Infection and structural biologyCompetence Fields
Accelerator Research Theoretical physicsPIER Emerging Topic
Artefact ProfilingCurriculum
The effort of the PHGS curriculum is calculated on the basis of credit points (CP). A successful completion of the curriculum requires 17 credit points: A minimum of 14 CP in the area of professional skills (categories A and B) and a minimum of 3 CP in the area of transferable skills (category C):
- Block seminars: 1 day = 0.5 CP, 2 days = 1 CP, etc.
- Half-day block seminars can also be credited.
- Block courses are credited with a maximum of 10 days/5 CP.
- 1 credit point = 15 x 45 minutes sessions.
- When calculating the credit points, the workload for presentations and posters is already taken into account and is not additionally scored.
- A written confirmation of attendance by the organiser, lecturer or supervisor is required for each course/workshop/conference. Doctoral researchers are asked to upload each attendance confirmation in the PHGS Portal. Click here for the template "Proof of attendance" provided by the PHGS
- Click here for an example PHGS certificate and ToR.
- All events must be entered in the personlized PIER database by the doctoral researcher him/herself.
Category A
Project-related group seminars and workshops in the main research field
6 credit points
Category B
Professional qualification in the PIER research fields
8 credit points
Events of any providers inside and outside of Hamburg/Germany can be accepted.
Category C
Obtaining transferable skills
3 credit points
Workshops/events of the PIER Education Platform (PEP) or any provider inside and outside Hamburg/Germy will be accepted.
Scientific Supervision
Optimal scientific support is crucial for enabling doctoral researchers to complete their dissertations quickly and successfully. At the PIER Helmholtz Graduate School, every doctoral researcher is supported by a team of at least two supervisors. The team consists of a supervisor and at least one co-supervisor.
At the beginning of their collaboration, the supervisors and the doctoral researcher sign the PIER Helmholtz Graduate School supervision agreement. This agreement contains binding regulations.
During their doctorate, each doctoral researcher of the PHGS writes an interim report once a year in which the current status of the doctorate is presented, challenges are named and time plans for the coming months are outlined. A meeting between the supervisor team and the doctoral researcher serves as the basis for each report.
Learn more
What are the formal conditions for scientific supervision?
The formal conditions for scientific supervision are defined in the respective Doctoral Degree Regulations of the University where the doctoral student is admitted. For doctoral researchers at the University of Hamburg the Doctoral Degree Regulations of the Faculty for Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences (MIN Faculty) applies. The formal conditions that a supervisor has to fulfil are specified in §6 (3): At least one supervisor must be a full-time professor or `habilitated ́ member with an employment in the MIN faculty. In accordance with §4, a panel of supervisors, consisting of three people including a chair, a supervisor and a co-supervisor, can be appointed upon recommendation of the applicant as well.
How does the cooperation between supervisor and doctoral researcher work in detail?
The supervisor and the doctoral researcher should jointly determine a working title for the project and the goals and milestones for the doctoral project at the beginning of the doctorate - and in such a way that it can be successfully completed within three years. The doctoral researcher meets regularly with their direct supervisor to discuss the progress of the project. The supervisor team and the doctoral researcher will ensure that a comprehensive discussion takes place 5, 18 and 30 months after the start of the doctoral program, which will serve as the basis for the PHGS interim report. The doctoral researcher informs the supervisors if there are significant changes in the work plan. Both parties ensure that the doctoral researcher uses an IDP throughout the doctoral program. The supervisors support the doctoral researcher's participation in subject-related events (conferences, meetings, workshops, lectures, etc.) and advise the doctoral researcher on which events are useful for their doctoral project and professional development. The supervisors and the doctoral researcher agree on this at the beginning of the doctoral program in the PHGS Supervision Agreement.
What are the requirements for the PHGS interim reports?
All PHGS members write a report in the 5th, 18th and 30th month of their studies. They will automatically receive a reminder email 8 weeks before the deadline. This email will describe the process, state the deadline, and include a template for the report. It is recommended that immediately upon receipt of the e-mail, the doctoral researcher schedule a meeting with both academic advisors and any additional academic advisors.
After the meeting, the doctoral researcher writes the interim report using the appropriate PHGS report template (there is one template for members with a DESY contract and one for members with other working contracts or scholarships) and has it signed by their advisors and others. The report must be uploaded to the personalized section of the PHGS portal by the specified deadline.
Extracurricular Support
Good working and living conditions are essential for the well-being of any doctoral researcher. The PIER Helmholtz Graduates School offers a wide range of services and support measures to its members. The following offers help to ensure that doctoral researchers enjoy good living and working conditions.
- Personal information meeting with each new member.
- PHGS buddy programme for new internantional doctoral researcher.
- Close cooperation with the DESY International Office, the International Office of the Universität Hamburg and DESY Housing.
- Knowledge of and communication to all facilities at DESY, the University Hamburg, the City of Hamburg and facilities in Hamburg that are experts on certain topics.
- Organisation of joint leisure activities in cooperation with the representatives of the PhD representatives (DOIT).
- Coordinators of the PIER Helmholtz Graduate School office serves as point of contact for resolving conflicts and difficult situations.
- Extracurricular services concerning career planning and social networking also help participants successfully complete their dissertations and embark smoothly on their careers.
