Why a structured PhD?
A structured PhD in HBRS has many advantages compared to a "normal" PhD (Dr.rer.nat.) at MHH:
-> Please see also the table below!
1. Overall: HBRS takes care that your PhD does not take more than 3-4 years. Good supervision and funding for the whole duration of PhD is guaranteed.
2. International: you meet and interact people from more than 40 different countries
3. Networking and interdisciplinarity: we have around 280 PhD students as well as 150 supervisors in our graduate school. You get to know students and supervisors from different disciplines. Everyone is willing to assist you in your project.
4. Personal development and Career: The HBRS also provides various opportunities for personal development and social interaction. Previous events organised for our students include:
# Orientation weeks
# Conflict/ Stress/ Project/ Time Management
# The Annual Indian Party and HBRS Christmas Party
# HBRS Career Day
# Intercultural communication, Team Work
# GMP course
# Basics in Laboratory Animal Sciences
# Bioinformatics and Digitalization
# Day/weekend trips to various German cities
# Career advice including special soft skill courses and excursions to industry
# Translation and Transfer
# Master Classes and Summer Schools
# German and English language classes
# Mental health and Well-being
5. HBRS office/ PhD offices: take care of all personal matters. Every student has got one main supervisor as well as two co-supervisors. Furthermore, you can rely on your fellow classmates as well as senior students. So, you are never left alone in case of problems!
Classical vs Structured PhD
Classical PhD at MHH
| Structured PhD at HBRS |
One supervisor and one cosupervisor (more cosupervisors optional) | Main supervisor and two cosupervisors from different departments; annual thesis advisory meetings |
Project provided by supervisor | Project provided by supervisor and checked by PhD committee |
You start anytime | You start in October. You have classmates (usually a batch of up to 20 students per program per year) |
Change of project difficult | Time of probation 6 months; change of project within program possible |
You have colleagues in your department and have to take efforts to get to know other PhD students outside your group | You have colleagues in your department and regularly meet fellow PhD students in HBRS seminars as well as other HBRS activities |
No special seminars and courses offered | HBRS seminars every week during first two years |
You have to look for opportunities on your own; you have to take at least two soft skill courses | Soft skill courses, Master classes, excursions, events, Career advice etc. |
Not provided by MHH | German and English classes |
Nil | Annual retreat with all members of your program |
No intermediate exam | Intermediate exam |
PhD office responsible mainly for registration and handing in thesis; International office helps international students | PhD and HBRS offices provide help any time |
Not provided | Orientation weeks and senior student mentors |
Organize on your own | Housing, bank account, insurance etc. for international students organized by PhD offices |
Final PhD defense, no fixed dates, organize yourself (you cannot predict when evaluations are ready) | Final PhD defense at fixed dates organized by PhD offices |
No PhD degree awarded, only Dr.rer.nat or Dr.biol.hum. | PhD or Dr.rer.nat. degree |
Medical students can only do the Dr.med. degree | Medical students can be awarded PhD degree (German students after they have done Dr.med.) |
Not provided | Huge HBRS Alumni network, Alumni Mentoring |