PhD / Doctorate •

Degree

After successful completion, candidates will be awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or, if certain conditions apply, a Doctor rerum naturalium (Dr rer nat).

In cooperation with

HZI Graduate School https://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en/career/graduate-school

Teaching language

• English

Languages

English is the teaching language during the whole course of study.

The thesis is written in English. Alternatively, it may be written in German after consulting with the main supervisor. The presentation at the PhD defence has to be given in English.

German knowledge will be helpful during the stay in Germany (German courses are offered at Helmholtz Centre of Infection Research).

Full-time / part-time

• full-time

Mode of study

Fully on-site with voluntary online elements

Programme duration

6 semesters

Beginning

Winter and summer semester

Application deadline

It is possible to apply any time (via e-mail only, [email protected] ), provided that all requirements are fulfilled (see prerequisites for application on website https://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en/career/phd-programme-epidemiology/application/ ).

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master's degree / PhD programme

No

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

During the course of the programme, PhD fellows are prepared to conduct independent epidemiological and public health relevant research. Following a successful completion, the fellows can enter career paths in academia, research and science in national health institutions, ministries, health insurances, international organisations or other non-governmental organisations.

The main focus of the programme is on epidemiology and public health.

The programme supports individual training and career plans according to background studies and interests.

Further objectives of the programme include the following:

• To gather experience in independent planning, management, implementation, and evaluation of epidemiological and public health research projects
• To acquire comprehensive knowledge on epidemiological and statistical methods
• To scientifically contribute to narrow evidence gaps in epidemiological and health research
• To acquire the ability to present results and methods of epidemiological research at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals
• To support the understanding of Good Epidemiological Practice

PhD project outlines for the PhD application should be based on the research areas of the Department of Epidemiology at HZI (topic list can be found at www.helmholtz-hzi.de/phdepi ).

Admission to the PhD programme is only possible if funding is ensured by the applicant (e.g. by a scholarship or a third party), both for subsistence whilst in Germany and for project costs where applicable.

Course organisation

• The duration of each PhD programme cycle is three years.
• The PhD programme is structured into individual epidemiological research activity, on the one hand, and accompanying mandatory educational programme (minimum 300 teaching units), on the other hand.
• The accompanying educational programme contains lectures and seminars as well as epidemiological fieldwork in our study centre and epidemiological laboratory.
• All training elements are taught in English. The PhD programme is integrated in and supported by a network of PhD students, postdocs, and supervisors with various scientific backgrounds.

PDF Download

Certificates for specific modules are awarded

Yes

International elements

• Integrated study abroad unit(s)
• Training in intercultural skills
• Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
• International guest lecturers

Integrated study abroad unit(s)

Field studies related to the project (if applicable)

Integrated internships

One epidemiological field module (minimum of 16 teaching units)

Teaching/work obligations or opportunities

Voluntary teaching opportunities ("Supervised Teaching")

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

Yes

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

Yes

Pace of course

Instructor-led (Specific due dates for lectures/assignments/exams)

Phase(s) of attendance in Germany (applies to the entire programme)

Yes, compulsory

Types of online learning elements

• Access to databases with study material
• Chats (with lecturers and other students)
• Online sessions
• Online study material provided by institution
• Online tutorials

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

Approx. 400 EUR per semester

Please check the MHH website for the regular semester fee, which includes the semester ticket for public transportation.

Costs of living

Average living expenses amount to approximately 1,200 to 1,700 EUR per month. Please note that the real costs vary depending on your personal lifestyle.

Funding opportunities within the university

No

Academic admission requirements

• University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in the area of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, natural science, or in another subject area with a biomedical or health-relevant focus 
• The degree must entitle the applicant to pursue a PhD studies in Germany. (Verification for this is carried out by an official authority, and this is initiated by the office of the Epidemiology PhD programme.)
• Applicants are required to have knowledge and prior experience in the area of epidemiological methods and statistics equivalent to that which may be gained in a degree programme like MSE, MSc Epidemiology, MPH, or MSAE. In individual cases, when such a formal degree is lacking, successfully passed courses in the field of statistics and epidemiology with 120 contact hours and/or 10 ECTS can also be acknowledged.

Language requirements

Excellent English language skills required: Fluent written and spoken English is a prerequisite of being accepted to the programme.

Technical equipment and programmes

Will be provided by HZI/PhD Programme Office

Application deadline

It is possible to apply any time (via e-mail only, [email protected] ), provided that all requirements are fulfilled (see prerequisites for application on website https://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en/career/phd-programme-epidemiology/application/ ).

Submit application to

Please send COMPLETE applications in one merged PDF document via e-mail only to [email protected] according to the guidelines on our website: www.helmholtz-hzi.de/phdepi .

Possibility of finding part-time employment

There are no job opportunities during the programme.
As a rule, positions within the PhD programme in "Epidemiology" are NOT funded by the host institution (Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research). Students are required to secure their own funding for the three years period of their PhD (both, for living and – where applicable – for the project under investigation), by applying for a stipend, e.g. at DAAD, Humboldt-Foundation, Stiftung des deutschen Volkes.

Due to visa restrictions, most foreign students are not allowed to work outside of academia.

Accommodation

Assistance can be rendered in finding suitable private accommodation/flats (not on campus).

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Career advisory service

Our students have regular meetings with supervisors and experienced postdocs. They can also participate in workshops and series offered by HBRS and our Epidemiology department, e.g. the Career Planning & Development series (amongst others, topics include job searching strategies, how to design a CV/motivational letter to attract hiring managers and recruiters, and how to prepare for an interview).

Support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Visa matters
• Help with finding accommodation
• Support with registration procedures

Supervisor-student ratio

Three to four supervisors per student (thesis committee)

To activate the map, click on the "Show map" button. We would like to point out that data will be transmitted to OpenStreetMap after activation. You can find out more in our privacy policy. You can revoke your consent to the transmission of data at any time.