Click here for an overview of the Coordinators of the departments.
Doctoral Programs
The Doctoral School NRW offers ten structured doctoral programs that support doctoral candidates in their research and foster interdisciplinary exchange. These programs are provided by the departments of the Doctoral School NRW and combine an academic curriculum with a clear timeline and continuous supervision.
Structure and Content of the Doctoral Programs
Each department at the Doctoral School NRW offers one, if not two, different doctoral programs. Doctoral candidates from all of our supporting universities of applied science (UAS) can apply for admission. The aim of each program is to ensure that doctoral candidates acquire subject-specific as well as interdisciplinary qualifications relevant to their research and to introduce them to the scientific community. The programs offered by the Doctoral School NRW are generally designed to be completed within three years. They consist of a mandatory and an elective component.
The mandatory component covers subject-specific and interdisciplinary topics, providing the doctoral candidates with the skills they need in order to place their research in a broader scientific context and present it accordingly. The elective component, consisting of additional courses and seminars, allows for further interdisciplinary training and opportunities for scientific exchange throughout the different phases of the doctorate.
A team of three professors ensures close supervision, guaranteeing a well-thought-out project and time plan throughout the doctorate. Doctoral candidates also receive individual support in planning their future careers.
The following elements are part of the doctoral programs across all departments (non-exhaustive list):
Mandatory Area
- Seminar on ‘Good Research Practice’
- Seminar on ‘Ethics and Responsibility in Science and Society’
- Colloquium series or doctoral seminar related to the respective doctoral program
- Presentation of the doctoral candidate’s research in doctoral colloquiums
- Presentation of the doctoral candidate’s research at an external scientific conference
- Written progress reports
The doctoral programs of the departments may require additional mandatory elements. It is recommended to attend two subject-specific/methodological qualification courses per year.
Elective Area
- Participation in qualification programs offered by the Doctoral School NRW and other organizations
- Colloquium series offered by other departments of the Doctoral School NRW
- Participation in national or international conferences with an individual contribution
- Participation in (interdisciplinary) workshops and events (e.g., workshop on academic didactics, summer schools)
- Research stays abroad
- Transfer achievements (e.g., patent applications)
- Giving courses
Doctoral Programs at the Doctoral School NRW
The departments of the Doctoral School NRW currently offer a total of ten doctoral programs. Each doctoral program focuses on a scientific, interdisciplinary main topic, which is approached from multiple disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives.
Doctoral Program 'Built Environment and Cultural Heritage'
Department of Construction and Culture
Content
The doctoral program addresses the design of landscapes, cities, spaces, and buildings, the construction methods of structures, as well as techniques for the preservation and communication of art and cultural heritage.
Target Group
Doctoral candidates with a degree in technical, natural or engineering sciences as well as a degree in design, humanities or cultural studies who are dealing with the topics and issues of the doctoral program in their doctoral projects.
Doctoral Degrees
Dr.-Ing.
Dr. phil.
Dr. rer. nat.
Language
German
Program Duration
3 years
Admission and Enrollment
You can apply for admission and enrollment at any time. Please refer to the information on admission and enrollment as well as our schedule of dates and deadlines.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Britta Köhler-Hoff (britta.koehler@pknrw.de).
Doctoral Program 'Applied Computer Science and Business Informatics'
Department of Computer and Data Science
Content
The program focuses on applied computer science problems from an inter- and transdisciplinary perspective. It covers the department’s key research areas: ‘Cyber Security’, ‘Visual Computing’, and 'Business Informatics'.
Target Group
octoral candidates with a degree in engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, or business informatics. The program aims to provide doctoral candidates with a comprehensive understanding of the methodological foundations and societal contexts of data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, going beyond the specializations of the individual research areas.
Doctoral Degrees
Dr.-Ing.
Dr. rer. nat.
Dr. rer. pol.
Language
German
Program Duration
3 years
Admission and Enrollment
You can apply for admission and enrollment at any time. Please refer to the information on admission and enrollment as well as our schedule of dates and deadlines.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact Linda Rustemeier (linda.rustemeier@pknrw.de).
Doctoral Program 'AI and Data Science'
Department of Computer and Data Science
Content
The program focuses on data collection and preprocessing, modeling and simulation, analysis and optimization, as well as the evaluation of methods and the archiving of large, heterogeneous datasets. Innovative technologies are applied in interdisciplinary approaches to develop high-quality, efficient solutions at the interface of computer science, natural sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and industry. This requires methods from the fields of artificial intelligence and data science.
Target Group
Doctoral candidates with a degree in computer science or related disciplines, particularly information science, mathematics, physics, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, statistics, automation and electrical engineering, as well as geosciences and life sciences.
Doctoral Degrees
Dr.-Ing.
Dr. rer. nat.
Language
German
Program Duration
3 years
Admission and Enrollment
You can apply for admission and enrollment at any time. Please refer to the information on admission and enrollment as well as our schedule of dates and deadlines.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact Linda Rustemeier (linda.rustemeier@pknrw.de).
Doctoral Program 'Life Sciences and Health Technologies'
Department of Life Sciences and Health Technologies
Content
The program focuses on the scientific study of the structures and processes of living organisms, as well as processes in which living beings are involved.
Target Group
Doctoral candidates with a degree in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology, or engineering, who are pursuing doctoral projects related to the topics and research questions represented within the department.
Doctoral Degrees
Dr.-Ing.
Dr. rer. nat.
Language
German and English
Program Duration
3 years
Admission and Enrollment
You can apply for admission and enrollment at any time. Please refer to the information on admission and enrollment as well as our schedule of dates and deadlines.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact Lena Freitag (lena.freitag@pknrw.de).
Doctoral Program 'Media, Education, Aesthetics, Design'
Department of Media and Interactions
Content
The program focuses on the scientific study of the transformation of (mass) media and media communication.
Target Group
Doctoral candidates with a degree in the humanities, social sciences, or cultural studies, as well as in design or creative disciplines, who wish to pursue doctoral projects related to the topics and research questions of the program.
Doctoral Degree
Dr. phil.
Language
German
Program Duration
3 years
Admission and Enrollment
You can apply for admission and enrollment at any time. Please refer to the information on admission and enrollment as well as our schedule of dates and deadlines.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Gregor Rehmer (gregor.rehmer@pknrw.de).
Doctoral Program 'Human, Digitality, Society'
Department of Media and Interactions
Content
The program focuses on the scientific study of digital transformation at the interface between technical systems and humans.
Target Group
Doctoral candidates with a degree in computer science (natural or engineering sciences), psychology, or design with a focus on the conception, development, and/or evaluation of technical systems from a human-centered perspective, or with a degree in social sciences, economics, public administration, or the humanities with a focus on examining the requirements for technical systems or the impact of digital systems and processes on humans and society.
Doctoral Degrees
Dr.-Ing.
Dr. phil.
Dr. rer. nat.
Language
German
Program Duration
3 years
Admission and Enrollment
You can apply for admission and enrollment at any time. Please refer to the information on admission and enrollment as well as our schedule of dates and deadlines.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Gregor Rehmer (gregor.rehmer@pknrw.de).
Doctoral Program 'Resources and Sustainability'
Department of Resources and Sustainability
Content
The doctoral program focuses on the availability, sustainable use, and management of resources, with particular attention to the interface between technical possibilities and ecological, economic, and social requirements and constraints.
Target Group
Doctoral candidates with a degree in natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, or economics, who are pursuing doctoral projects related to the topics and research questions of the program.
Doctoral Degrees
Dr.-Ing.
Dr. rer. nat.
Dr. rer. pol.
Language
German
Program Duration
3 years
Admission and Enrollment
You can apply for admission and enrollment at any time. Please refer to the information on admission and enrollment as well as our schedule of dates and deadlines.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Cordula Obergassel (cordula.obergassel@pknrw.de).
Doctoral Program 'Shaping Social and Health Change'
Department of Social and Health Affairs
Content
The program focuses on the research and analysis of services and participation opportunities within healthcare and social welfare systems, social work, or social security systems from the perspective of different members of society.
Target Group
Doctoral candidates with a degree in social or health sciences who are pursuing doctoral projects related to the topics and research questions of the program.
Doctoral Degrees
Dr. phil.
Dr. rer. pol.
Language
German
Program Duration
3 years
Admission and Enrollment
You can apply for admission and enrollment at any time. Please refer to the information on admission and enrollment as well as our schedule of dates and deadlines.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Isabelle Kunze (isabelle.kunze@pknrw.de).
Doctoral Program 'Cyber Physical Systems'
Department of Technology and Systems
Content
The doctoral program focuses on the value creation processes of physical systems that incorporate inherent partial intelligence through embedded software. In addition, the program addresses the topic of ‘Instrumentation and Control’.
Target Group
Doctoral candidates from the related disciplines of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, medical engineering, and technical computer science, who are pursuing doctoral projects related to the topics and research questions of the program.
Doctoral Degrees
Dr.-Ing.
Dr. rer. nat.
Language
German
Program Duration
3 years
Admission and Enrollment
You can apply for admission and enrollment at any time. Please refer to the information on admission and enrollment as well as our schedule of dates and deadlines.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. David Gilgen (david.gilgen@pknrw.de).
Doctoral Program 'Change and Resilience'
Department of Business and Markets
Content
The doctoral program focuses on key factors and work design in times of change, as well as the analysis of systems with regard to uncertainty, resilience, and institutional transformation. In addition, it addresses change and resilience from the perspective of process chains and business operations.
Target Group
Doctoral candidates with a master’s degree in business administration, economics, business education, business psychology, industrial engineering, business law, or business informatics. Candidates from related disciplines such as psychology, sociology, humanities, or law may also be eligible, provided their research has a clear economic focus or relevant thematic connection.
Doctoral Degrees
Dr.-Ing.
Dr. phil.
Dr. rer. pol.
Language
German
Program Duration
3 years
Admission and Enrollment
You can apply for admission and enrollment at any time. Please refer to the information on admission and enrollment as well as our schedule of dates and deadlines.
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact Philipp Stein (philipp.stein@pknrw.de).
If you have any questions about the doctoral programs or subject-specific issues, please contact the coordinators of the respective departments.
