PhD student (m/f/d) in the Brandenburg Graduate School for Applied Sciences

PhD student (m/f/d) in the Brandenburg Graduate School for Applied Sciences

Reference number: 2026_HAW_KPE

The position is limited to 3 years (with the option of extension for up to 2 years), part-time with 30 hours per week.

TH Wildau is proud of its growing importance as a research and teaching university of applied sciences (HAW) and is committed to the goal of further strengthening the excellent training it provides early-career scholars. To achieve this, it seeks to support doctoral studies through a more systematic and structured approach. Alongside the well-established model of cooperative doctoral programmes with universities, PhD projects are also conducted within the Brandenburg Graduate School for Applied Sciences under robust quality assurance standards.

The Brandenburg Graduate School for Applied Sciences is a joint scientific institution of the four universities of applied sciences in the State of Brandenburg established to conduct doctoral studies (Secs. 33 BbgHG), which are supervised by professors with a strong research background from the participating universities. The quality and standards of the doctoral programmes are ensured to be equivalent to those offered by, or in partnership with, universities. Quality assurance of the doctoral programmes is ensured by appropriate measures (including supervision agreements, PhD logbooks, specialist and interdisciplinary training initiatives, and the separation of supervision and assessment), separation of supervision and assessment). A supporting PhD programme is being developed and will be offered for this purpose (partly in German and English).

The following PhD topics may be pursued as part of this call for applications:

Topics in engineering:

• Empowering schoolchildren to achieve independent mobility within the framework of gender-sensitive mobility management in schools; in German only (Prof. Christian Rudolph)
• Evaluation options for infrastructural cycling measures using GPS tracks such as RadPlus data, Stadtradeln data, Strava-Metro data; in German only (Prof. Christian Rudolph)
• AI-assisted analysis of movement-based vital and stress parameters in the context of socio-cyber-physical production systems (Prof. Jörg Reiff-Stephan and Prof. Marcus Frohme)
• Data-driven meshing approaches for numerical simulations (Prof. René Krenz-Baath and Prof. Mario Nowitzki)
• Comparison of variational algorithmic models in quantum machine learning vs. classical machine learning for the analysis of nonlinear, quasi-stationary data from medicine (Prof. Marcus Frohme and Prof. Alina Nechyporenko)

Topics in the natural sciences:

• Synthesis, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and AI-assisted studies of multidimensional nanomaterials functionalized with memristive molecularmetal-oxide switches (Prof. Carolin Schmitz-Antoniak)
• Prediction of leishmaniasis over the coming decades, taking into account the influence of climate change on the vector population (Prof. Marcus Frohme)

Topics in materials science:

• Bio-based technical plastics (Prof. Michael Herzog)
• Development of sustainable composite materials for energy-efficient manufacturing processes (Prof. Christian Dreyer)
• Natural rubber-based materials in new processing technologies and applications (Prof. Christian Dreyer and Prof. Michael Herzog)
• Chemical recycling processes for thermoplastics and thermoset (Prof. Michael Herzog and Prof. Christian Dreyer)

Topic in economics:

• Strategic storytelling in start-ups: narrative mechanisms and design principles for growth, resource acquisition, and stakeholder collaboration (Prof. Christian Schultz)

Responsibilities

• Working towards a doctoral qualification through independent research within the doctoral programme.
• Publication and presentation of research results in journals, at conferences, and in the context of science communication.
• Teaching activities related to the research project (2 teaching hours per week during the semester).
• Willingness to participate in specialist and interdisciplinary training (including good scientific practice, research data management, academic writing and presentation, open science principles, career paths).
• Active participation in events and activities within the framework of the PhD programme (including journal clubs, annual meetings, PhD days).

Profile

• A good Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field, with a final thesis (Master’s or equivalent) awarded a high grade.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in a subject area relevant to the PhD topic.
• Strong interest in scientific research, teaching, and pursuing a higher academic qualification.
• Willingness to commit to and participate actively in a structured PhD programme offering comprehensive training and networking opportunities.
• Be highly motivated and eager to work in an interdisciplinary, practice-oriented research setting.
• Very good German or English language skills (C1 level) and the motivation to improve language skills where needed.

Application documents to be submitted

• Letter of motivation stating your interest in pursuing a doctoral qualification.
• Exposé (2-4 pages) on one of the PhD topics proposed in this call for applications, describing the scientific focus of the PhD thesis, the planned methodological approach, and a strategy for publishing the results.
• Meaningful letter of recommendation from the professor proposing the PhD topic (max. 1 page). This must include an evaluation of the scientific quality of the exposé, an assessment of the applicant's suitability for the PhD project, and a commitment to supervise the applicant if they are successfully selected.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Proof of a university degree in a subject area relevant to the PhD topic, together with proof of a high grade for the thesis.

What do we offer?

• Completion of the PhD project as part of a supporting PhD programme, including close supervision and collaboration with PhD students from other universities of applied sciences in the State of Brandenburg.
• Excellent conditions for innovative, interdisciplinary research.
• A modern and dynamic work and university environment characterized by flexible working arrangements to facilitate the compatibility of family, privatelife, and career, with flexible working hours and short core working hours, aswell as the possibility of working from home.
• Meaningful, interesting, and varied activities and opportunities to actively shape the university in a variety of ways.
• A trusting work culture based on equality.
• Membership in an innovative university community with a family atmosphere.
• Additional pension provision through the Federal and State Pension Institution (VBL) and capital-forming benefits.
• 30 days of vacation plus additional days off on December 24 and 31.
• Excellent public transport connections (campus located right next to Wildau S-Bahn station) and free parking for cars and bicycles.
• A wide range of continuing education opportunities and English classes for employees.
• Canteen on campus.
• Free use of the external company social counseling service provided by TELUS Health GmbH via the “Frag Elli” app.
• Various health and sports offers, discounted membership at a gym with swimming pool.

Salary is up to pay grade E13, depending on qualifications and experience, in accordance with the TV-L collective agreement for the federal states (TV-L).