Young Scientists

The university entitled to award doctorates provides information in the doctoral regulations of the respective faculty about which formalities are required. In addition to these requirements, experience has shown that the following criteria should be met: A university degree that was completed very well and quickly, a high degree of research affinity and ideally first experience in scientific work. Research interests and qualifications should correspond to the research area of ​​the supervisor, but do not have to be 100% congruent. In addition, you should have a high degree of self-discipline and good stamina in order to successfully complete the labor-intensive and time-consuming doctoral phase.

The cooperative doctoral procedure can be carried out with national as well as international universities authorized to award doctorates. The supervising professors on the part of the HHN can help with the search.

A cumulative dissertation is characterized by several publications (papers) in specialist journals on a common main topic. Often these publications should go through a peer review process before they are accepted for publication. A monographic dissertation, on the other hand, describes a single, very extensive work on a specific scientific question. The form of the dissertation must be clarified with the supervisor in advance or is specified by the respective doctoral regulations.

Yes. However, the respective burden of the doctorate and the independent employment relationship should be taken into account. Experience has shown that a “doctorate after work” or a “doctorate on the weekend” cannot be held for the duration of the entire doctoral process. A reduction in the scope of employment, e.g. from full-time to 60% part-time, on the one hand results in financial losses, on the other hand it also allows you to concentrate fully on the doctoral project two days a week.

In principle, all professors at the HHN can supervise a cooperative doctorate. Before you contact us, it is a good idea to work out a draft (synopsis) of no more than two A4 pages, in which concrete ideas are already outlined as to the research topic and subject area of ​​the dissertation. In addition to general information about yourself (name, university degree), this synopsis can contain, for example, the possible working title, a brief introduction, the objective, the state of research, the methodology to be used and the results to be expected. This synopsis can then be presented to the potential doctoral supervisor at the first meeting. When looking for support at the respective cooperation university, the HHN supervisor usually provides support and uses their own contacts. The Vice Rector for Research, Transfer, Innovation is also happy to provide support.

At the HHN there is no enrollment as a doctoral student, i.e. unlike Bachelor and Master students, doctoral students do not receive a matriculation number. You can very well join the HHN doctoral college as a candidate or doctoral candidate. The cooperating university can request enrollment as a doctoral student. However, this differs from university to university.

A full-time doctorate can usually be completed between 3 and 5 years. If a part-time doctorate is planned, i.e. if, for example, 50% of the week can be used for the doctorate, the duration of the doctorate is extended. However, the duration of the doctorate also depends on subject-specific requirements.

First and foremost, the doctoral phase is a labor-intensive and time-consuming phase, which can, however, also come with financial costs. These costs do not have to be explicitly quantified in advance. However, the following costs should be taken into account in connection with a doctorate: (1) Semester contribution of the cooperating university, if enrollment is required; this semester fee is individually designed by the universities, (2) specialist literature, software, etc., (3) travel expenses to meetings and conferences or meetings with supervisors, (4) editing costs for the dissertation

Travel grants can only be granted by the Vice Rector for Research, Transfer, Innovation for active conference and conference contributions by doctoral students. For this purpose, an informal application with a confirmation of registration and an overview of the costs incurred must be sent to forschungsreferat@hs-heilbronn.de. The associated faculties are expected to contribute financially.

Among other things, the DAAD offers doctoral students the opportunity to finance trips to international scientific events with the congress and lecture travel program.

The financial security for the duration of the doctorate is a not insignificant factor for the successful completion of the doctoral process. As a matter of principle, the HHN does not offer any doctoral positions or funding, so that those interested in doing a doctorate should take care of a funding option in advance together with the potential doctoral supervisor. You can choose from:

• Private funding or financial support from family members
• Employment in the private sector
• Employment as an employee at HHN
• Employment as an employee at another university (see https://de.jobted.com/wissenschaftlicher-mitarbeiter-jobs)
• Application for a doctoral scholarship

Please contact nancy.warbeck@hs-heilbronn.de to receive a form to apply for a guest account.

If you want to arrange a consultation and / or answer any further questions, please contact Nancy Warbeck.