Doctoral Programs

The University of Bremen offers doctoral programs in all academic disciplines. These programs provide young researchers with opportunities for independent research combined with intensive expert counseling, customized training, and innovative forms of supervision.

The largest of these programs are funded by the Excellence Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the German Research Foundation, i.e. the "Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences" BIGSSS, the "Bremen International Graduate School for Marine Sciences - Global Change in the Marine Realm" GLOMAR, the research training group "Non-metallic Porous Structures for Physical-chemical Functions" PoreNet, and the international research training groups  "Integrated Coastal and Shelf-Sea Research " INTERCOAST and "Semantic Integration of Spatial Information". These programs attract large numbers of international doctoral researchers to the University of Bremen.

For the promotion of early career reseachers the University also cooperates with external research institutions, especially within the frame of the International Max Planck Research School for Marine Microbiology MarMic and the Helmholtz Graduate School for Polar and Marine Sciences POLMAR.


Graduate Schools of Excellence

Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences (BIGSSS)

Funded by: Excellence Initiative
Duration: 1st funding period 2008-2012, 2nd funding period 2012-2017
The interdisciplinary Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences rests on the core disciplines of Political Science, Sociology and Psychology. BIGSSS was established in 2008 in collaboration with Jacobs University. It provides doctoral studies of excellence in the Social Sciences. More

Bremen International Graduate School for Marine Sciences (GLOMAR)

Funded by: Excellence Initiative
Duration: 1st funding period 2006-2011, 2nd funding period 2012-2017 (within MARUM)
The Bremen International Graduate School for Marine Sciences "Global Change in the Marine Realm" has been supported by the Excellence Initiative since 2006. The program offers doctoral students the opportunity to research the impacts of global environmental change on the ecosystem of the ocean. More


DFG Research Training Groups

Research Training Group " Micro-, meso- and macroporous nonmetallic Materials: Fundamentals and Applications" (MIMENIMA)

Funded by: DFG
Duration: 1st funding period 2013-2018
The exceptional research idea of MIMENIMA is the conditioning of novel porous ceramic structures and their surfaces for applications in important emerging fields of energy, environmental, chemical processing, bio- and space technology. An interdisciplinary team of materials scientists, physicists, chemists, biotechnological, mechanical or chemical engineers will work together on this challenging topic. In addition to this multidisciplinary research program MIMENIMA offers an educational program with tailored scientific lectures, seminars, lab courses, workshops, summer schools, research visits at international cooperation partners and a mentoring program for the career development of women and an ongoing coaching of the scientific work.
Homepage: www.mimenima.uni-bremen.de

Research Training Group ''Models of Gravity''

Funded by: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Duration: 1st funding period 2012-2016
The Research Training Group ''Models of Gravity'' deals with questions related to gravity. We attempt to obtain a better understanding of Einstein's General Relativity and of generalised theories of gravity.
Such generalisations arise in the low energy limit of candidate theories of quantum gravity like e.g. string theory. These investigations also have practical applications like, for instance, the precise calculations of stellar and satellite orbits or the ticking rates of clocks on satellites orbiting the Earth which is the basis of the daily used GPS. 
Within the framework of this Research Training Group there will be an intensive interdisciplinary collaboration between physicists, mathematicians as well as space scientists. This collaborative research initiative comprises the universities Bremen and Oldenburg who are the leading partners and the Jacobs University Bremen and the Universities Bielefeld, Hannover and Copenhagen. More

International Research Training Group "Integrated Coastal and Shelf-Sea Research" (INTERCOAST)

Funded by: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Duration: 1st funding period 2009-2013
Doctoral students belonging to the international research training group entitled "Integrated Coastal and Shelf-Sea Research" explore the consequences of climate change for coastal regions and sea shelves from geoscientific, sociological and legal perspectives. The program of doctoral studies and research is carried out in collaboration with the University of Bremen and the University of Wakaito in New Zealand. More

International Research Training Group "Semantic Integration of Spatial Information"

Funded by: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Duration: 1st funding period 2008-2013
The International Graduate School "Semantic Integration of Spatial Information" offers its doctoral program in cooperation with the University of Münster and the University of Buffalo (USA). The interdisciplinary program involves research groups working in the fields of Computer Science, Geophysics, and Geodesy. More

Research Training Group "Non-metallic Porous Structures for Physical-chemical Functions" (PoreNet)

Funded by: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Duration: 1st funding period 2006-2012
The main objective pursued by this DFG-funded research training group is to explore possible applications of porous ceramic structures for functions in important areas of energy and process engineering. Research involves cooperation with other research groups in the fields of engineering, materials science, process, combustion engineering and streaming, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Working in collaboration, representatives of the different groups are integrated in a number of highly competent working groups. In addition to this, students are able to deepen their theoretical and methodological knowledge in customized courses offered within a coordinated course program. More

Research Training Group "System Design"

Funded within the Institutional Strategy
Duration: 2012 - 2017
This joint graduate program of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI Bremen), the German Aerospace Center (DLR Bremen) and the University of Bremen adresses the research field "methods and tools for circuit and system design". In particular, systems built of integrated circuits and close interaction with software are targeted. More


Joint Programs with non-university research organizations

International Max Planck Research School for Marine Microbiology (MarMic)

Funded by: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Duration: 2nd funding period 2008-2014
The International Research School for Marine Microbiology is run in cooperation between the University of Bremen, the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research and Jacobs University Bremen. MaeMic, which is funded by the Max Planck Society, offers a joint Masters and doctoral program in marine microbiology. More

Helmholtz Research School on Earth System Sciences ESSReS

Funded by: Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft
Duration: 2nd funding period 2010-2013
The Helmholtz Research School on Earth System Sciences ESSReS is funded by the Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft and is run in cooperation with the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, the University of Bremen and Jacobs University Bremen. Doctoral students on the program carry out research in the area of Earth System Sciences, investigating the Earth system from different systematic perspectives. Research focuses on the interactions between the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the lithosphere and the biosphere. More

Helmholtz Graduate School for Polar and Marine Research POLMAR

Funded by: Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft
Duration: 1st funding period 2009-2014
Students of the Helmholtz Graduate School for Polar and Marine Research (POLMAR) examine the polar marine ecosystems and climate change. The Graduate School is funded by the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. This graduate school is embedded in the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). It involves cooperation between the AWI, the University of Bremen, Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Jacobs University Bremen, the University of Applied Science in Bremerhaven, the Institute for Marine Resources and the University of Potsdam. More

MARES Doctoral Programme on Marine Ecosystem Health and Conservation

Funded by: European Union (Erasmus Mundus)
Start: 2011
The European Joint Doctorate Programme MARES focus on the impacts of humans on the natural marine environment. It is offered by a consortium of 23 partner institutions originating from 14 countries. Ghent University (Belgium) is the coordinator of MARES. More

Leibniz Graduate School SUTAS

Funded by Leibniz Association since 2013
The Graduate School SUTAS (Sustainable Use of Tropical Aquatic Systems) which is funded by the Leibniz Association is dedicated to elucidating socio-ecological issues in tropical coastal regions from an interdisciplinary perspective. The graduate school strengthens the special education profile of the ZMT, as it will encompass the topics of ecology and marine resources and even topics related to health.
In accordance with the complex issues, the spectrum of research disciplines represented in SUTAS is multidisciplinary. It encompasses marine ecology, fisheries biology, microbiology and sedimentology, and also includes social sciences and epidemiology. In a specified region of interest, graduate students from different disciplines will work together in groups, thus facilitating interdisciplinary research and a broad understanding of tropical coastal systems. More


Other doctoral programs with external funding

Doctoral Research Group “Toxic Combination Effects of Manufactured Nanoparticles" (nanoToxCom)
Funded by: Hans Böckler Foundation
Duration: 1st funding period 2009-2012
Students of the natural and engineering sciences on the doctoral research program entitled “Toxic Combination Effects of Manufactured Nanoparticles" funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation investigate the potentially damaging effects of metallic nanoparticles for the environment and human health. The doctoral research program is delivered by the Center for Environmental Research and Sustainable Technology together with the Bremer Umweltinstitut.
More

Doctoral Research Group "NutzerInnenorientierte Gesundheitssicherung"
Funded by: Hans Böckler Foundation
Duration: 2nd funding period 2010-2012
Also funded by the Hans Böckler Foundation, the doctoral research group entitled "NutzerInnenorientierte Gesundheitssicherung" is a joint project run in cooperation between the University of Bremen, the Technischen Universität Dresden, and the Oldenburg University of Applied Science. Among other things, the doctoral students on this program, mainly drawn from fields of the Health and Social Sciences, examine issues pertaining to inequity or inefficiency of the health system.
More (in German)

Doctoral Research Group "Migration and Social Inequality: Opportunities for integration between institutions and the life course"
Funded by: Hans Böckler Foundation
Duration: 1st funding period 2009-2012
In the research group entitled "Migration and Social Inequality: Opportunities for integration between institutions and the life course" supported by the Hans Böckler Foundation and the Bremen International Graduate School of Social Sciences doctoral students research different aspects of ethnically determined social inequality and their consequences for successful integration.
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"International Graduate School for Dynamics in Logistics" (LogDynamics)
Funded by: Kieserling Foundation, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Industry
Duration: 1st funding period since 2005
At the International Graduate School for Dynamics in Logistics, doctoral students from the fields of Mathematics/Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Economics explore issues surrounding production and transport logistics which are becoming increasingly complex in the wake of globalization. This graduate school is supported by the University of Bremen, the Kieserling Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service, and the enterprise sector.
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Doctoral Research Group "Embedded Systems" (GESy)
Funded by: Industry
Duration: 2nd funding period 2009-2012
Students on the doctoral program "Embedded Systems" are developing new methods and procedures for embedding electronic circuits. The expectations of this technology are great, especially in the area of transport systems like aircraft, automobiles, and train control systems. The central focus lies on system integration, encompassing both hardware as well as software.
More (in German)

Doctoral Research Group "Clinical Child Psychology"
Funded by: Association of Insurers
Duration: 2nd funding period 2009-2012
Set up in 2006, the doctoral research group "Clinical Child Psychology" carries out research on development and intelligence diagnostics as well as intervention in cases of behavioral disturbances. The different projects represented in the research group combine cause studies with the pronounced practice orientation of applied psychology.
More (in German)

Doctoral Research Group "Advances in Digital Media"
Funded by: Klaus Tschira Foundation
Duration: 1st funding period 2007 till 2012
Students on the doctoral program "Advances in Digital Media" examine how to make digital media more user-friendly. The group is supported in cooperation between the University of Bremen, the University of Arts, The Bremen University of Applied Science, Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies and the European Media Laboratory Heidelberg.
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Doctoral Programs Funded by the University of Bremen

"Postgraduate International Programme in Physics and Electrical Engineering" (pip)
Funded by: University of Bremen, Faculty 01 - Physics/Electrical Engineering
Duration: 3rd funding period 2011-2013
The postgraduate programme pip funded by the University of Bremen is embedded in the Faculty of Physics and Electrical Engineering. The faculty provides a postgraduate education with outstanding research and training opportunities including excellent research facilities. The goal of pip is to create a supportive environment for its members by offering a wide range of activities, assistance and even additional funding.
Postgraduate students (PhD and excellent master students) are welcome to join us. More....

Doctoral Group "Scientific Computing in Engineering" (SCiE)
Funded by: University of Bremen
Duration: 2nd funding period 2008-2011
The doctoral group "Scientific Computing in Engineering" is embedded in the Center for Industrial Mathematics at the University of Bremen. Doctoral students develop new methods of scientific data processing, especially in the areas of materials science, process engineering, and micro-electronics. The group is supported by the Bremen Institute of Applied Beam Technology, the Institute for Materials Technology, and a number of other institutes at the University of Bremen.
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Doctoral Group "The Textuality of Film"
Funded by: University of Bremen
Duration: 1st funding period 2008-2011
The adaptation of core concepts and methods employed in film research is the focus for members of the doctoral group entitled "The Textuality of Film", which combines the approaches applied in literature and linguistic studies.
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