Doctoral Studies From A to Z
With a doctorate, researchers provide evidence of their ability to conduct independent research. The professional qualification during the doctorate takes place at a faculty of RWTH Aachen University. RWTH is authorized to award doctorates. During the doctoral phase, the doctoral candidates are supervised and also acquire both academic and job-related skills.
Doctoral Studies As the First Step Into Professional Life
At RWTH Aachen University, doctoral studies are considered the first part of professional practice and are therefore mostly application-oriented. During the doctoral phase, doctoral candidates are usually employed as research assistants at institutes and gain professional experience.
They thereby qualify for a further academic career or the highly qualified job market outside academia. Doctoral candidates are supervised by recognized university instructors. They receive optimal support for their doctoral project with academic supervision that is appreciative, responsible, supportive, and upholds equal opportunity principles. Doctoral candidates are themselves primarily responsible for the success of their doctorate.
Doctoral positions at RWTH are advertised on the institute's website or in the list of RWTH's job openings.
Requirements
- Doctoral candidates at RWTH Aachen University independently work on challenging new scientific findings and write them up in their thesis. The maxim of academic integrity applies here.
- Certain admission requirements must be fulfilled in order to be awarded a doctorate.
- The legal basis for this is Section 67 of the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Further Information
RWTH Code of Conduct for Doctoral Studies
In the Code of Conduct for Doctoral Studies, RWTH commits itself to principles and standards for the design of the doctoral process. These guidelines help to ensure the quality of doctoral training and form the basis for continuous development.
Academic Integrity
Like all scholars working at RWTH Aachen University, doctoral candidates also pledge their academic integrity.
The Principles for Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice serve the goal of implementing the basic ethical principles of integrity and honesty in science and providing guidance in academic work.
As part of the doctoral qualification, young researchers are taught the principles of good academic practice that apply at RWTH Aachen University, taking into account the specifics of the subject cultures. This is provided, on the one hand, as part of the academic supervision and, on the other hand, by participation in continuing education courses, for example the online course or seminars of the Doctoral Academy.
Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice
The University Committee for Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice investigates all allegations or suspicions of scientific misconduct at RWTH Aachen University.
In cases of conflict and suspected scientific misconduct, RWTH members have the opportunity to contact the relevant faculty ombud (responsible for doctorates) or one of the ombuds for safeguarding good scientific practice.
Supervision Agreement
The basis and guarantor for the quality of the doctoral process is a transparent supervision relationship between supervisors and doctoral candidates. The Supervision Agreement has established itself as an essential element of quality assurance. It enables supervisors and doctoral candidates to make their expectations transparent, to formulate objectives, and to monitor whether these are fulfilled. The Supervision Agreements vary according to the subject culture of the respective faculty.
Regulations Governing Doctoral Studies
At RWTH, doctoral candidates are the responsibility of the respective faculty, which supervises them during the doctoral phase and is responsible for the entire doctoral process. This process is regulated in each faculty‘s doctoral regulations.
Interdisciplinary Qualification and Career Development
In addition to professional qualification and research on academic issues, doctoral studies at RWTH Aachen University also include the acquisition of professional skills. These include skills that are helpful for a successful doctorate as well as for the next career steps afterwards and that contribute to the further development of one's own personality. The RWTH Aachen University offers central workshop and consulting services at the Doctoral Academy under the umbrella of the RWTH Center for Young Academics.
As research assistants, doctoral candidates are also subject to the objectives of the staff development measures of RWTH. We want to inspire people to work at RWTH, enable them to expand their knowledge, make it useful for the future of society, and give them the opportunity to develop their potential and initiate new developments.
Similar Topics
- Job Postings
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Electronic Publication of Dissertations (de)
The RWTH Aachen University Library offers information about the electronic publication of dissertations
External Links
- GUAT - German University Association of Advanced Graduate Training
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Center for Mental Health for Students (ZPG)
Professional help for doctoral candidates with mental health issues and emotional strain