PhD / Doctorate •

Degree

Dr rer nat or Dr Ing

In cooperation with

University of Berkeley, Australian National University, University of Toronto, Technical University Delft, National Taiwan University, Politecnico di Milano, University of Bordeaux, Université Paris-Saclay and many more

Teaching language

• English
• German

Languages

Supervision is available in both German and English. Participants can choose to write the doctoral thesis in either language.

Programme duration

8 semesters

Beginning

Only for doctoral programmes: any time

Application deadline

Check for current openings on our website www.asp.uni-jena.de/open_positions  and apply within the stated deadlines. We also accept unsolicited applications at any time. 

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master's degree / PhD programme

Yes

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

Photonics is one of the main research fields at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and about 300 doctoral candidates are currently enrolled in our research-oriented PhD/doctoral programme.

In our optics / photonics and quantum technology programme, we offer:

• high-end research and education in a world-class scientific environment with intensive mentoring
• PhD topics at the frontiers of science, giving way to the opportunity to publish in the world's most renowned journals like Nature and Science
• some of the best-equipped optics and photonics labs in the world
• an international programme with modules focusing on scientific and technical skills and equipping you with transferable skills
• access to an elite network of experts in optics and photonics

One important cornerstone of our philosophy is to regard and value our doctoral candidates as scientists in all respects. The ASP offers an individually adjusted programme to meet each candidate's scientific background and interests. This guarantees an optimal level of preparation for a high-profile career in research or industry.

Course organisation

In addition to the regular courses which are part of the ASP programme, a variety of special lectures and workshops is given by world-renowned guest professors . Our open photonics makerspace at the Lichtwerkstatt Jena is always open for young people with creativity and some ideas. Moreover, doctoral candidates benefit from the close collaboration between ASP and some of the world's leading companies in the field of optics and photonics, such as ZEISS, ASML, TRUMPF, SCHOTT or JENOPTIK, to name just a few.

Interdisciplinarity is an inherent part of our philosophy. ASP provides a variety of courses that help students acquire additional knowledge in complementary sciences as well as essential transferable skills, e.g., in project management, leadership and developing a scientific career. Furthermore, workshops and courses on the German language, intercultural competences, job application training and good scientific practice are specifically designed to accommodate our international students quickly to their new scientific and private environment in Jena.

A Diploma supplement will be issued

Yes

International elements

• International guest lecturers
• Language training provided
• Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
• Training in intercultural skills
• Study trips
• Courses are led with foreign partners
• Content-related regional focus
• Integrated study abroad unit(s)
• International comparisons and thematic reference to the international context

Integrated study abroad unit(s)

The Abbe School of Photonics has developed a network of international academic partnerships, which not only connects us to leaders and decision-makers in photonics all over the world but also enables our doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to embark on short- and long-term research visits to our partner institutions. Such visits abroad allow our doctoral candidates to gain experience in another research environment and to improve their language skills. From a scientific and technological point of view, the use of the infrastructure of the host institution very often offers new possibilities for measurements and experimental work. These opportunities for research stays abroad guarantee a truly international doctoral research experience and are thus highly recommended for every single doctoral track. Practically all doctoral researchers in our programme are eligible to participate in different exchange schemes, including USA, UK, Australia, Taiwan, Spain, France, and many more.

Integrated internships

We are permanently offering the possibility of individual internships with our regional industry partners (e.g., ZEISS, ASML, TRUMPF, SCHOTT, JENOPTIK) as well as research stays abroad with our large network of international partners.

Teaching/work obligations or opportunities

Beside top-notch research, teaching undergraduate students is part of the professional experience that each of our doctoral students will gain.

Special promotion / funding of the programme

• ERASMUS+
• DAAD development-related postgraduate course
• DFG (e.g. Research Training Groups)
• Other (e.g. state level)
• Helmholtz Graduate Schools
• DAAD

Name of DAAD funding programme

Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP)

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

Yes

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

Yes

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

Doctoral candidates in Jena have the possibility to enrol at the Friedrich Schiller University. Enrolment is not compulsory but it offers a whole range of advantages like access to student dorms, a "mensa" (student dining hall) discount, free public transport, a campus card, and more. The semester fee is approximately 250 EUR. https://www.uni-jena.de/en/semesterbeitrag

Costs of living

The living costs in Jena are still low compared to other places in Germany or elsewhere. We recommend that you plan for a budget of at least 700-770 EUR per month for living expenses. However, if you are accepted to our doctoral programme, you will be contracted and earn an even higher salary. In general, the costs of living are usually not an issue for any of our PhD/doctoral students. https://www.uni-jena.de/en/jena-living-international

Funding opportunities within the university

Yes

Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

Once accepted into our programme, our specialised administration will intensively assist you in finding the right funding opportunity.

Academic admission requirements

Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a Master's degree or equivalent qualification in physics, optics, engineering, or a related field.

Language requirements

We request a decent level of English language capabilities, as English is common in the international science community. Test certificates like Cambridge, IELTS or TOEFL are appreciated.

Knowledge of the German language is NOT a necessary prerequisite to be enrolled in our programme.

Application deadline

Check for current openings on our website www.asp.uni-jena.de/open_positions  and apply within the stated deadlines. We also accept unsolicited applications at any time. 

Submit application to

Applications can be submitted at any time at:
https://apply.asp.uni-jena.de/welcome .

Accommodation

Once accepted by our programme, support in finding accommodation is available through our local ASP office. For a quick start, the rent for a single room in a university guest house is between 300 and 500 EUR.

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Career advisory service

ASP offers intensive support to any individual PhD/doctoral candidate, including job application trainings, academic career counselling, start-up support, and access to a vast network of industry partners and exclusive academic institutions all over the world.

Support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Tutors
• Visa matters
• Specialist counselling
• Cultural and linguistic preparation
• Buddy programme
• Accompanying programme

General services and support for international students and doctoral candidates

ASP strongly and actively pursues gender mainstreaming and family-friendly working conditions. In particular, the competitive support instruments that aim to maximally link doctoral student and postdoctoral career stages are considered to be optimally designed for promoting gender equality and for balancing disadvantages for female candidates. The support of young female scientists is a cross-sectional task for both the ASP and the Friedrich Schiller University, and it is taken seriously by both. It creates and secures conditions of equal opportunity for all its members, regardless of gender and background.

Friedrich Schiller University Jena
ASP research building and main lecture hall © FSU Jena, Kasper

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a university on the move. With more than 17,000 enrolled students, it is one of Germany's fastest growing universities. Despite the fact that the number of students has quadrupled since 1989, the university is not overcrowded. More than 2,000 lecturers and researchers ensure quality teaching and training commensurate with a classic university. In addition, more than 1,300 scientists and technical staff work on research projects financed by outside sponsors.

The Friedrich Schiller University Jena has always enjoyed an excellent reputation for its academic potential. The most striking features of research in Jena are interdisciplinarity, synergetic networking, and innovative approaches.

The profile lines of LIGHT – LIFE – LIBERTY are the seed crystals for the university's interdisciplinary research profile. This structure reflects the close collaborations within the university and with non-university research institutes. These collaborations, through the creation of centres, gain suitable perspectives for the present and the future development. The triad of LIGHT – LIFE – LIBERTY thus reflects the continuing combination of tradition and future development.

Most of the research projects fit into this profile. In addition to these, there are many smaller, individual research projects. The university is awarded about 120 million EUR in external research grants p.a., and our Faculty of Physics and Astronomy receives one of the highest research funding of all German universities. Moreover, the Max Planck School of Photonics became a premium partner of the Abbe School of Photonics in 2018 (www.maxplanckschools.de/de/photonics ).

Top400 Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai ranking)
1st CHE Ranking for Physics in Germany
University location

The city of Jena is brought to life by its fascinating combination of an intellectual history, a delightful countryside, an innovative international research and industry, and a youthful student lifestyle. This rich variety creates a unique backdrop that lends this small, lively city its special charm. Watch the video at: http://tinyurl.com/poo956v .

Jena has been one of the most famous places to study in Germany since the founding of its university, the "Alma Mater Jenensis", in 1558. At the end of the 18th century, thanks to its close connection to the nearby royal seat at Weimar and support by the poet and minister, Goethe, the city on the Saale went through its classical period, during which it developed into the most important intellectual centre in Germany.

In the second half of the 19th century, Jena developed into an industrial city, thanks to the work of the three scientific and economic giants, Carl Zeiss, Otto Schott, and Ernst Abbe. Their cooperation led to the creation of the world-famous Zeiss Works and the "Schott und Genossen" glass factory. This effective cooperation between research institutes and economic enterprises has proven its value all the way up to the present day and justifies Jena's exceptional reputation as a high-technology location.

In addition to museums of technology, science, literature, and art history, there is also an attractive modern cultural scene in Jena. For example, the annual open-air festival "Kulturarena" attracts international stars to Jena. Furthermore, there are plenty of individual, top-class events among the wide range of performances at Jena Theatre (Theaterhaus), Jena Art Society (Kunstverein), and Jena Philharmonic Orchestra.

Our city lies at the middle reaches of the River Saale. The Saale valley in Jena is shaped by a host of monuments to its cultural history and has connections with many great names from the past. Along with its many sights, the city, nestled in an almost Mediterranean landscape with limestone hills up to 400 metres high, boasts a variety of bicycle paths and charming surroundings for walking and all other sporting activities, such as triathlons, dragon boating, cycling, track, marathons, martial arts, etc.

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