Doctoral studies at NAT: overview

German terms

Beginn Promotion, Doktormutter, Doktorvater, Betreuung, Physik, Chemie, Naturwissenschaften, NAT, TUM School of Natural Sciences

Obtain a PhD in physics, chemistry, or bioscience (Promotion an der NAT)

Have you already earned a Master of Science or a related degree with above-average results? Are you curious, motivated, and interested in independent research? Would you like to work on current questions in the natural sciences and discover something new? Then a doctorate at the TUM School of Natural Sciences may be the right path for you.

The former Department of Chemistry and the Physics Department merged into the new TUM School of Natural Sciences. The same applies to the former graduate centers, which are now part of the Graduate Center of Natural Sciences.

TUM is one of the leading research universities in Europe. Together with its partner institutions, the Garching campus offers a rich and unique academic environment for the physical and natural sciences. The TUM School of Natural Sciences comprises three departments: Bioscience, Chemistry, and Physics. With around 1100 ongoing doctoral projects, we offer an exciting environment for pursuing a PhD in the natural sciences.

Doctoral studies at TUM are characterized by teamwork, interdisciplinarity, and independent thinking. They provide valuable experience and skills for a successful career in academia, industry, or other professional fields.

Starting a doctorate at the TUM School of Natural Sciences

The first step to starting your doctorate is to find a supervisor among the teaching staff at the TUM School of Natural Sciences. You will discuss and agree on a research topic with your supervisor. As part of your supervisor’s research group, you will receive guidance and support for your doctoral project (Promotion). Since individual scientific research is a crucial part of any PhD project, embedding into your supervisor’s research group and with colleagues with similar interests is essential. Hence, you apply for PhD positions in the research group that best fits your scientific interests – you do not apply at a large, anonymous organization but form a personal bond with your supervisor. This is reflected in the supervision aggreement.

The TUM School of Natural Sciences and the Graduate Center of Natural Sciences provide the organizational framework for the doctorate with a flexible and individual qualification program. Alternatively, there are some other (thematic) graduate centers supporting your professional qualifications.

After finding your supervisor and research topic, the application procedure runs through the central online platform Doc-GS. Please remember that the TUM School of Natural Sciences issues the degree Dr. rer. nat. for most Ph.D. students. The Dr.-Ing. might be more suitable for the chemical engineering field. Please discuss this topic with your supervisor.

The TUM Graduate School’s website provides more information on the application process and required documents.

In addition, we have more information on your application for a doctorate / PhD project.

After completing the online registration in Doc-GS, please hand in the documents at the Dean’s Office.

More about our team, our organizational structure and the contact information is found in section Contact for doctoral studies at the TUM School of Natural Sciences.