Early career researchers
Kiel University (CAU) is particularly committed to supporting researches in the career phases during and after their doctorate. Kiel University offers them the opportunity to prepare for various career paths, whether these be careers within the university or in the non-university sector.
To this end, the university provides central contact points for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, especially via its Graduate Center and Postdoc Center, and, most importantly, provides tailored offers to these target groups. With targeted funding and support, Kiel University offers researchers from Germany and abroad an attractive environment with optimal conditions for qualification and career development.
Research promotion and career development
Kiel University pursues the goal of promoting the independence of academics, especially in the qualification phase after the doctorate, by supporting them in developing their own academic profile. To this end, the university sees the acquisition of one's own funding as an important instrument for enabling young researchers with outstanding research achievements and innovative ideas to embark on an independent academic career.
In order to support applications to external funding organisations and to increase the chances of success, Kiel University offers special programmes within the framework of internal research funding for targeted support, especially on career paths leading to a professorship. These range from financial support for preparing first-time applications to incentives for winning one’s own research group to conduct research at Kiel University.
Funding opportunities through Kiel University
Für externals ans internals
Für internals
Successfully acquired junior research groups
Emmy Noether grants
| Project | Spokesperson | Term |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Places of thirst’ – Kgalagadi Human Origins (KHO | Dr. Michaela Ecker | since 2021 |
| HYDROCARB – Novel hydrological and carbon cycle constraints from the isotopic composition of archaeal lipid biomarkers | Dr. Felix Elling | since 2021 |
| Black box larval physiology - mechanisms of nutrient acquisition and energetics of invertebrate larvae in a changing ocean | Dr. Meike Stumpp | since 2020 |
| Development of Synthetic Methods for the Late-Stage Modification of Synthetic Intermediates: The Arene-Limited Nondirected C–H Activation of Arenes and the Direct C–H Activation of Aliphatic Carboxylic Acidsm | Prof. Dr. Manuel van Gemmeren | since 2019 |
| pH regulatory systems of marine larvae: new models for gastro-intestinal health and biomineralization in a changing environment | Dr. Marian Hu | since 2018 |
Heisenberg funding
| Heisenberg funding | Principial investigator | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Heisenberg professorship: Bausteine zu einer polyphonen Religionsgeschichte der antiken griechischen Literatur | Prof. Dr. Andreas Schwab | 2021 - 2024 |
| Heisenberg position: How is the topography of major orogenic fronts sustained and where is plate convergence accommodated in collisional mountain belts on intermediate timescales? Insights from the Himalayan orogen? | Dr. Rasmus Thiede | 2019 - |
ERC Starting Grants
| Acronym | Project title | Principal Investigator | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| MALEPREG | Male pregnancy – Unravelling the coevolution of parental investment and immune defence | Prof. Olivia Roth | 2018-2024 |
| NanoBeam | Quantum Coherent Control: Self–Interference of Electron Beams with Nanostructures | Prof. Nahid Talebi | 2019-2024 |
| DULICAT | Dual Ligand-Enabled Palladium Catalysis: Unlocking Novel Reactivities and Selectivities in Aromatic C–H Activation | Prof. Manuel van Gemmeren | 2021-2026 |
| MicroT | Microbiota-T cell interactions - antigen-specificity and regulation in health and disease | Prof. Petra Bacher | 2022-2027 |
Freigeist-Fellowships
| Project | Principal Investigator | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Timeless Arctic - commercial hunting in the reconstruction of human impact in Svalbard | Dr. Frigga Kruse | seit 2018 |
BMBF Junior Research Groups
| Project | Principal Investigator | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| FairFAnK: Die Finanzierung von Anpassung an den Klimawandel im globalen Süden. Auf der Suche nach gerechtfertigten und praxistauglichen Verteilungsverfahren und Kriterien | Dr. Christian Baatz | seit 2020 |
After the doctorate
During the doctorate
Graduate Center
The Graduate Center is the central institution of Kiel University for the support of doctoral researchers. These support schemes are developed jointly by the Presidential Board, the individual faculties, graduate programmes and representatives of the doctoral researchers. This includes advice and support on all matters related to the doctorate, interdisciplinary qualification including transferable skills, support in career planning, promotion of self-initiative and academic independence, as well as financial subsidies for academic and networking activities. The Graduate Center along with the International Center provide support for the internationalisation of the doctoral phase in all disciplines as well as individual support for international doctoral researchers, starting in their home country and continuing throughout their stay in Kiel.
All graduate programmes at Kiel University are represented in the Advisory Board of the Graduate Center. It is the hub for synergetic funding and the platform for strategic further development of graduate support at the university. The coordinators of the graduate programmes form The Graduate Support Network at Kiel University, where they can find colleagues with expertise in various areas for the internal exchange of ideas and experiences at the university.
The graduate center of Kiel University is located in the building on Leibnizstraße 3.
Further graduate programmes
DFG Research Training Groups
DFG Research Training Groups
DFG Research Training Group 2154: Materials for Brain (M4B)
The RTG TransEvo is a Research Training Group funded by the German Science Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft; Graduiertenkolleg GRK 2501). The RTG TransEvo aims at studying and promoting the relevance of evolutionary principles to applied problems. Unintended outcomes of human intervention often result from actions that influence natural selection, e.g. the usage of antibiotics or anti-cancer drugs in medicine, of pesticides in agriculture, or human perturbation of the earth’s ecosystems. Surprisingly, evolutionary concepts are only rarely used to improve our understanding of these applied challenges and to develop new sustainable solutions.
Visit the web presence of the RTG 2154 Materials for Brain (M4B)
DFG Research Training Group 2501: Translational Evolutionary Research
Das Graduiertenkolleg 2501 Translational Evolutionary Research (TransEvo) ist ein von der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft gefördertes Forschungskolleg. Ziel des Graduiertenkollegs TransEvo ist es, die Relevanz evolutionärer Prinzipien für angewandte Probleme zu untersuchen und zu fördern. Unbeabsichtigte Folgen menschlicher Eingriffe resultieren oft aus Handlungen, die die natürliche Auslese beeinflussen, z.B. der Einsatz von Antibiotika oder Krebsmedikamenten in der Medizin, von Pestiziden in der Landwirtschaft oder menschliche Eingriffe in die Ökosysteme der Erde. Überraschenderweise werden evolutionäre Konzepte nur selten genutzt, um unser Verständnis für diese angewandten Herausforderungen zu verbessern und neue nachhaltige Lösungen zu entwickeln.
Visit the web presence of the RTG 2501 "Translational Evolutionary Research"
Integrated DFG Research Training Groups
IRTG in the CRC 1266 "TransformationsDimensionen: Mensch-Umwelt-Wechselwirkungen in Prähistorischen und Archaischen Gesellschaften"
Supporting young scientists in their research on key issues of “Scales of Transformation” is of major concern for the CRC 1266. Associated in 12 subprojects, 18 doctoral candidates conduct research on interaction patterns associated with transformation processes and environmental change using different archaeological, palaeo-ecological, theoretical as well as methodological approaches. The dissertation projects of the young scientists correspond to the core topic of CRC 1266.
As an interdisciplinary scientific network, the CRC is a stimulating driving force for the doctoral students and their future professional progress. In this regard, the young researchers within the IRTG 1266 gain access to a wide range of expertise and experience in the high-quality scientific practice of the CRC. Until the successful completion of their projects, the doctoral candidates are supported
IRTG in the CRC 1261 "Magnetoelectric Sensors: From Composite Materials to Biomagnetic Diagnostics"
The Integrated Research and Training Group (iRTG) in CRC 1261 "Magnetoelectric Sensors: From Composite Materials to Biomagnetic Diagnostics" promotes teamwork within the Collaborative Research Centre among early-stage junior researchers and postdocs. The iRTG combines compulsory and optional activities, including a 6-month booster phase, a research stay abroad, interdisciplinary seminars, invitations to guest researchers and participation in conferences, summer schools and regular retreats. An emphasis is placed on opening up perspectives for future careers. Members of the iRTG benefit from peer teaching with student-to-student seminars and team-based mentoring through a dual supervision concept.
IRTG "Proteases and Pathophysiology" in the CRC 877 "Protein Cleavage For Regulation"
One of the major goals of the CRC 877 is the high standard qualification and the support of young researchers. We therefore initiated an Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG) with the title 'Proteases and Pathophysiology'. Medical students are supported by a one year scholarship. In addition to the medical students, who are directly funded by the IRTG, all doctoral researchers working in the research projects of the CRC are members of the IRTG and benefit from the courses and the continuing education offered by the IRTG.
"Visit the web presence of the IRGT in the CRC 877 "Protein Cleavage For Regulation"
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN)
HaPpY
HaPpY brings together leading experts on pain or/and mood disorders at the preclinical or clinical levels, on tool and pharmacological development and on communication and dissemination of scientific activities. They all have outstanding records of accomplishments, complementary backgrounds (biologist, pharmacist, medicine, physicist, psychologist) and expertise (neuroscience, molecular biology, neurophotonics, pharmacology, physiology, behavioural neuroscience, genetics, clinical medicine), which ensure the multidisciplinary aspect of the training.
Visit the web presence of HaPpY
pH and Ion Transport in Pancreatic Cancer – pHioniC
pHioniC brings together highly synergistic expertise, research and training facilities to investigate pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a frequent and aggressive cancer that is still incurable. The program’s central hypothesis has a strong grounding in the organ physiology of the exocrine pancreas. Secretion of the alkaline pancreatic juice, normally associated with digestion, produces intermittent acidifications of the pancreas stroma resulting in an acid adaptation of pancreatic cells. We are first to propose that this adaptation facilitates PDAC initiation and progression by selecting for more aggressive phenotypes in interplay with PDAC driver mutations.
Visit the web presence of pHioniC
SmartAge
The age-related decline in cognitive functions represents a serious social and medical problem. The intestinal microbiome is a key effector in maintaining brain plasticity and therefore represents a promising target and sensor for interventions aimed at improving the cognitive abilities of older people. SmartAge, coordinated by Jena University Hospital, brings together an expert team of scientists from academia and industry such as clinicians, psychologists, nutritionists, neuroscientists, biotechnologists and bioinformaticians. SmartAge will apply a translational approach combining animal and human studies, nutrition and lifestyle interventions, cognitive testing, brain imaging, state-of-the-art OMICS and systems biology, and fecal transfers to identify key regulators of intestinal-brain communication with the aim of developing microbiome-based therapies that slow cognitive decline in old age.
Visit the web presence of SmartAge
SMARTGYsum – Smart and Green Energy Systems and Business Models
The age-related decline in cognitive functions represents a serious social and medical problem. The intestinal microbiome is a key effector in maintaining brain plasticity and therefore represents a promising target and sensor for interventions aimed at improving the cognitive abilities of older people. SmartAge, coordinated by Jena University Hospital, brings together an expert team of scientists from academia and industry such as clinicians, psychologists, nutritionists, neuroscientists, biotechnologists and bioinformaticians. SmartAge will apply a translational approach combining animal and human studies, nutrition and lifestyle interventions, cognitive testing, brain imaging, state-of-the-art OMICS and systems biology, and fecal transfers to identify key regulators of intestinal-brain communication with the aim of developing microbiome-based therapies that slow cognitive decline in old age.
Visit the web presence of SMARTGYsum
WinGrid
The WinGrid (Wind farm – grid interactions: exploration and development) consortium is funded by the H2020-MSCA-ITN programme (grant agreement No 861398 ). It aims to train and launch the next generation of researchers on power system integration issues associated with the large-scale deployment of wind generation, focusing particularly on the modelling and control aspects of wind turbine and grid interface design, system stability and robust implementation.
International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS)
A new graduate school focussed on evolutionary biology has been established in Kiel and Plön, as a joint project by Kiel University, the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön, and the Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR).
It is called the International Max Planck Research School for Evolutionary Biology (IMPRS), and provides doctoral researchers of evolutionary biology with an interactive forum for exchanging new ideas and research results.
Visit the International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) web presence
Further graduate programmes at Kiel University
Docs@FYORD - Foster Young Ocean Researcher Development
The Integrated School of Ocean Sciences (ISOS) is the central platform for doctoral researchers investigating marine science in Kiel.
Embedded in the status group overarching program FYORD - Foster Young Ocean Researcher Development, Docs@FYORD offers specifically for doctoral candidates and their supervisors the framework for a comprehensive and interdisciplinary support during the PhD. A central aspect of the Docs@FYORD program is the supervision by at least two supervisors. In addition, doctoral candidates can receive financial support for conferences and benefit from a wide range of different courses and events in the context of marine sciences. Docs@FYORD doctoral candidates also have the opportunity to further their education beyond their disciplinary horizons and to explore post-doctoral career options within and outside of academia.
Visit the web presence of Docs@FYORD - Foster Young Ocean Researcher Development
Doctoral Programme Quantitative Economics
Building on the long-term efforts of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences to introduce a structured doctoral training, the doctoral programme “Quantitative Economics” was launched in 2002. The programme intends to train the next generation of academics in accordance with international standards in terms of content and structure.
The programme was funded by the DAAD for an initial period of three years (2002 - 2004). After a positive evaluation in 2004, the funding was extended for a further two years and was then continued by the university for a total of five further years (2007-2011). Subsequently, it was possible to raise further funds from the Schleswig-Holstein Innovation Fund to keep the programme going.
The program meis currently supported jointly by the University Board of CAU, the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences, and the Institute for the World Economy. The University Board provides an annual budget and supports the programme with administration through the Graduate Center. The Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences provides the Head of the programme (a professor in the faculty) as well as a position for the coordinator of the programme. The Institute for the World Economy also makes an important contribution to the success of the programme. In particular, the coveted courses of the “Advanced Study Programme” are made available free of charge to doctoral candidates in the programme.
Visit the web presence of the Doctoral Programme in Quantitative Economics
Doctoral Certificate Programme in Agricultural Economicse
Since 2005 the Doctoral Certificate Programme in Agricultural Economics offers the first permanent, structured training of doctoral students in the field of agricultural and food economics in Germany.
The aim of the Program is to increase educational quality and efficiency in dealing with dissertation topics through systematic instruction in relevant theory and methods.
Following Bachelor’s and Master’s studies, this doctoral program represents a third step in a consecutive education in agricultural, food and environmental economics.
Visit the web presence of the Doctoral Certificate Programme in Agricultural Economics
