THESys Graduate Program
Prospective candidates for the THESys Graduate Program should hold an above-average MSc or MA degree (or equivalent) in agricultural economics, social anthropology, geography, philosophy, physics, economics or a related field. To be eligible for the program, doctoral researchers must be enrolled at a university with a thesis topic within the scope of at least one of the research areas of IRI THESys.
It is required that PhDs have a supervisor who is an IRI THESys Member.
Please note the THESys Graduate Program only accepts candidates who have secured their own funding. However, applicants do not have to be employed in certain projects or training groups and may apply independently from their funding source.
Required documents for application:
- Application form (download here)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Copy of the official letter of admission from a university
- Letter of support (download here)
- Signed supervision agreement (download here)
- A research proposal
- Training and supervision plan containing a time plan (download template here)
Applications are accepted only in electronic form via email to the coordinator of the THESys Graduate Program Wiebke Hampel. We strongly recommend candidates communicate with the coordinator before applying with any questions, comments or concerns.
Funding
Opportunities at IRI THESys
Vacancies at partner institutes
Funding organizations
As the THESys Graduate Program does not offer scholarships or PhD positions, potential candidates need to secure funding at the time of application (min. 1,000 Euro per month for at least two years). In case prospective applicants have no funding but have an interesting research idea and a potential supervisor at IRI THESys, we offer advice and assistance for finding funding sources.
For current vacancies, PhD positions, and stipends please see the following websites:
- Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt
The German Federal Environmental Foundation is one of Europe’s largest foundations and promotes innovative and exemplary environmental projects.
- Heinrich Böll Stiftung
The Heinrich Böll Foundation grants scholarships to approximately 1,000 undergraduates, graduates, and doctoral students of all subjects and nationalities per year. Applicants should have an active interest in the basic values of the foundation: ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self-determination and justice.
- Elsa-Neumann Scholarship
The federal state of Berlin issues Elsa-Neumann-Scholarships to particularly qualified young researchers and artists for up to three years.
- DAAD
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) supports over 100,000 German and international students and researchers around the globe each year.
If you are interested in joining the Graduate Program at IRI THESys, see the steps to joining the program below:
