Requirements
In general, prospective doctoral candidates need to have a university degree (Master, Diploma or equivalent state examination) in the natural and life sciences or mathematics, completed with above-average results. For detailed admission requirements please see § 4 of the doctoral regulations of GAUSS (German , English translation ) as well as the GGNB Admission regulations for doctoral degree programs.
Decisions on the fulfillment of additional requirements for admission are made by the respective doctoral program.

International doctoral students

Recruiting international doctoral candidates is supported by different services across the Göttingen Campus. The International Office of the University is in charge of the enrolment of all international doctoral students. The recognition of degrees from foreign universities is assessed by the respective doctoral program. In case of further questions, please contact the GGNB Office or the respective program office.

Application steps

1. Research topic, funding, GAUSS program
   The first step for interested doctoral candidates is to find an exciting research topic and a supervisor for their dissertation. It is crucial that both parties discuss funding options early on in the application process. The prospective supervisor should also advise on the GGNB doctoral program most suitable for the student.


2. Compose thesis advisory committee (TAC)
   In GGNB, the thesis advisory committees (TACs) are comprised of at least three members: the main supervisor plus two independent additional members. They advise the doctoral student and monitor their progress throughout the doctoral process. TACs serve two main purposes. (1) to provide critical feedback to the research progress and data interpretation, and (2) to mediate potentially upcoming difficult situations between the doctoral student and supervisor. For these reasons, a careful choice of TAC members should acknowledge (1) a sufficiently broad scientific background to be able to comment on the research progress from different and proficient perspectives and (2) the independence of each other to ensure impartiality.
   Usually, the first two members of the TAC will serve as referees of the doctoral thesis. The supervisor and the second members of theTAC need to be members of resp. have examiner status in the student's doctoral program, while the third member can be member of any program in GAUSS, or even be an external member. Single examiner status is possible for no more than one member of the TAC, upon application. Additionally, at least one of the reviewers of the thesis must be a full professor at the University of Göttingen (i.e., not “apl. Professor” or honorary; (German , English translation )),. We therefore strongly suggest to pick the TAC members accordingly from the outset. If in doubt, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will advise you accordingly.


3. Admission & supervision agreement
   The next step for each doctoral candidate is to apply for admission to the program of his/her/their choice. Following the admission, it is mandatory for the student to enrol and to sign the supervision agreement. This document also serves for the digital matriculation process and includes the mandatory doctoral student’s declaration.

The Role of the Graduate Center
GGNB is committed to provide its doctoral students with the best possible support and training to successfully complete their research work and dissertation. They are guided through the entire doctoral process including the examination ensuring high quality standards. GGNB not only supports the doctoral programs and encourages scientific networks but also provides additional qualification, counseling and, through the GAUSS Career Service, career advice for doctoral candidates. This enables the doctoral students to acquire important key skills to qualify for careers within and outside of academia.
The GGNB and GAUSS qualification program is including a variety of methods and skills courses as well as language courses and statistical consulting. Thereby, it is completing numerous scientific events organized by the faculties, institutes and centers of the Göttingen Campus such as seminar series, invited lectures, journal clubs, and symposia.
GGNB offers financial support for retreats, symposia, career related events, funding gaps and family-related and diversity schemes. For further information or additional services provided by different players on the Göttingen Campus, go to the section Doctoral Candidates.

The Role of the Supervisor
As a PhD supervisor one of your integral roles is to mentor your students, apply your scientific expertise to promote their independence, and support them in making their achievements visible in the scientific community. It is crucial that you are available for regular scientific discussions and actively engage your abilities and experience in scientifically challenging phases. In close cooperation with the other members of the thesis advisory committee, you critically and supportively follow the doctoral process and give constructive feedback to regular progress reports and meetings. Together, you are the first point of contact for technical matters, career planning and cases of conflict (see also Rules of good practice for doctoral supervision in English or German ). This applies not only for scientific-related issues but also in other matters (e.g. health or family), in particular when they might affect the performance or success of the PhD. You should also support the student’s integration in the academic environment on the Göttingen Campus and beyond. If you have international students, please support them as much as possible in their social and cultural integration.
Challenging and promoting doctoral candidates is vital for their development, which should be well-balanced to prevent discouragement. Please take into consideration and respect family responsibilities, different work patterns and requests for further training. To avoid misunderstandings from the outset it is recommendable to agree on a time management plan for the doctorate including milestones and objectives where possible.
As you are mentoring your students for a few years, you are a vital part of their development into scientific independence and increased responsibilities.

All GGNB supervisors and students have to comply with the GAUSS Rules of Good Practice for Doctoral Supervision, which form an integral part of the supervision agreement. If conflicts arise which cannot be solved, you can contact the most appropriate person in the list below:

• members of the doctoral candidate’s thesis committee
• spokesperson of the doctoral program the student is enrolled in
• GGNB Office
• the student representatives (both of the program and of GGNB in general)
• Central Conflict Management
• GAUSS person of trust for doctoral students

When seeking advice, everything will be treated strictly confidentially.
In case of a possible scientific misconduct, you can also contact the Ombuds Office for Good Research Practice for confidential consultation.
In case you are encountering mobbing, harassment or sex-related violence, please contact the Equal Opportunities Office.

Once the doctoral candidate has submitted the PhD thesis and is admitted to the examination procedure, the two referees (one additional external referee in case of a proposed summa cum laude) have up to four weeks to evaluate the dissertation and submit their evaluation including a recommended grade. Usually, the oral examination will take place approx. six weeks after submission. The thesis defense lasts 60-90 minutes and is open to University and Göttingen Campus members. The first 30 minutes are reserved for a presentation by the doctoral candidate placing his/her/their dissertation in a larger scientific context. This is followed by 30-60 minutes of questions, which are initially only permitted by members of the examination committee, followed by potential questions by the audience. Afterwards, the examination committee decides on an overall grade for the doctoral examination in a closed meeting.

The publication of the PhD thesis is mandatory and must not take place later than one year after the thesis defense date. In exceptional cases and upon written request only, this deadline may be extended once by one additional year. Prior to publication the doctoral candidate is obliged to discuss any modifications with the doctoral thesis committee and the supervisor has to sign the revision certificate on behalf of the committee.

Under specific circumstances and only for a good reason, the publication of the thesis can be restricted, which requires a joint written request (application) by the supervisor and the doctoral candidate. In this case only the abstract of the thesis is publicly available, whereas the remaining dissertation is treated confidentially for 12 months after the thesis defense. For further information please see the handout / application form , the doctoral regulations § 21 section 8 (German , English translation ) or contact the GGNB Office. Approving the good reasons as well as the request for restricted publication of the thesis is solely incumbent upon the examination board. Once your application is granted, your thesis has to be published with the SUB using the restriction notice.