Supporting the next generation of scientists is a matter of great importance to the Wuppertal Institute. Doctoral dissertations, master's theses and bachelor's theses are a source of fresh inspiration for our research. At the same time, we help to nurture the Institute’s up-and-coming scientists.
As a think tank with an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach, the Wuppertal Institute cooperates with numerous universities both inside Germany and internationally in order to strengthen the disciplinary foundation of its scientific work. This applies in terms of both the research projects carried out by the Institute and the collaborative support provided to the next generation of scientists through doctoral programmes.
Professors and scientists conducting their own research at the Wuppertal Institute supervise doctoral projects in cooperation with external professors. A particularly close institutionalised academic exchange is enjoyed with the universities of Wuppertal, Kassel, Osnabrück and Lüneburg. However, doctoral supervision arrangements also exist with many other universities and depend on the specific topic and the best way of providing support.
In addition to dissertations, a large number of final theses, such as bachelor's and master's theses, are also co-supervised at the Institute. These are born out of the teaching activities of the Wuppertal Institute’s scientists at partner universities. Supervision is also possible for topics proposed by students on their own initiative. If a thesis is written in cooperation with the Wuppertal Institute, it can be published in the "Wuppertaler Studienarbeiten" (Wuppertal student research papers) series in agreement with the relevant university.
Dissertations written within the framework of the Wuppertal Institute's doctoral programmes address selected application-oriented sustainability and transformation research topics. Close cooperation with the Institute’s divisions and research units is key to this approach and ensures that there are strong links to the Institute's research agenda and a regular exchange of ideas. Experienced research scientists provide one-to-one supervision of the doctoral projects. As a rule, papers are developed in connection with current projects for which the Institute has obtained research funding. This gives doctoral students the opportunity to establish a direct and fascinating link to real-world practice – with personal supervision and encouragement from our scientists.
Subject-specific dissertation colloquia are chaired by the Wuppertal Institute's research professors. They provide an opportunity for regular discussion about ongoing dissertation projects.
In order to earn a doctorate at the Wuppertal Institute, applicants must meet the following criteria:
If you are interested in earning your doctorate at the Wuppertal Institute, please consult the Institute's current calls for applications. The current opportunities can be found on our careers page.
You may also take a proactive approach. Please start by outlining your idea for your dissertation project on a single page and send it together with your CV to the Wuppertal Institute (address it to Annika Rehm, see contact information, below). We will use your documents to assess the compatibility of your idea with our ongoing research topics. If your dissertation project is of interest to us, we will be happy to advise you on the next steps.
The Institute supports internal doctoral projects with three years of doctoral funding to the value of ten hours dedicated to doctoral work per week. The chosen project must correspond to the doctoral topic in order to be eligible for this funding. While undertaking their doctorates, internal doctoral students are employed as research assistants (working at least 20 hours per week) at the Institute.
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