PhD student (m/f/d) in the Brandenburg Graduate School for Applied Sciences

Shaping the future together for a society worth living in – that is the vision of TH Wildau! As a university of applied sciences, we want to accompany social transformations in a responsible and practice-oriented manner. We bring technology and management together, creating interdisciplinary spaces for innovative learning environments and creativity in research and teaching. In the Berlin/Brandenburg metropolitan region, our campus is known as a place of encounter, lifelong learning, and collaboration between different (professional) cultures. State‑of‑the‑art equipment and 19th‑century industrial architecture symbolize what is important to us both professionally and personally: we connect!

PhD student (m/f/d) in the Brandenburg Graduate School for Applied Sciences

Reference number: 2026_HAW_KPE

The position is limited to 3 years (with the option of extension for up to 2 years), part‑time with 30 hours per week.

TH Wildau is proud of its growing importance as a research and teaching university of applied sciences (HAW) and is committed to the goal of further strengthening the excellent training it provides early‑career scholars. To achieve this, it seeks to support doctoral studies through a more systematic and structured approach. Alongside the well‑established model of cooperative doctoral programmes with universities, PhD projects are also conducted within the Brandenburg Graduate School for Applied Sciences under robust quality assurance standards.

Topics in engineering

• Empowering schoolchildren to achieve independent mobility within the framework of gender‑sensitive mobility management in schools; in German only (Prof. Christian Rudolph, link )
• Evaluation options for infrastructural cycling measures using GPS tracks such as RadPlus data, Stadtradeln data, Strava‑Metro data; in German only (Prof. Christian Rudolph, link )
• AI‑assisted analysis of movement‑based vital and stress parameters in the context of socio‑cyber‑physical production systems (Prof. Jörg Reiff‑Stephan and Prof. Marcus Frohme, link )
• Data‑driven meshing approaches for numerical simulations (Prof. René Krenz‑Baath and Prof. Mario Nowitzki, link )
• Comparison of variational algorithmic models in quantum machine learning vs. classical machine learning for the analysis of nonlinear, quasi‑stationary data from medicine (Prof. Marcus Frohme and Prof. Alina Nechyporenko, link )

Topics in the natural sciences

• Synthesis, X‑ray absorption spectroscopy, and AI‑assisted studies of multidimensional nanomaterials functionalized with memristive molecular‑metal‑oxide switches (Prof. Carolin Schmitz‑Antoniak, link )
• Prediction of leishmaniasis over the coming decades, taking into account the influence of climate change on the vector population (Prof. Marcus Frohme, link )

Topics in materials science

• Bio‑based technical plastics (Prof. Michael Herzog, link )
• Development of sustainable composite materials for energy‑efficient manufacturing processes (Prof. Christian Dreyer, link )
• Natural rubber‑based materials in new processing technologies and applications (Prof. Christian Dreyer and Prof. Michael Herzog, link )
• Chemical recycling processes for thermoplastics and thermoset (Prof. Michael Herzog and Prof. Christian Dreyer, link )

Topic in economics

• Strategic storytelling in start‑ups: narrative mechanisms and design principles for growth, resource acquisition, and stakeholder collaboration (Prof. Christian Schultz, link )

Responsibilities

• Working towards a doctoral qualification through independent research within the doctoral programme.
• Publication and presentation of research results in journals, at conferences, and in the context of science communication.
• Teaching activities related to the research project (2 teaching hours per week during the semester).
• Willingness to participate in specialist and interdisciplinary training (including good scientific practice, research data management, academic writing and presentation, open science principles, career paths).
• Active participation in events and activities within the framework of the PhD programme (including journal clubs, annual meetings, PhD days).

Profile

• A good Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field, with a final thesis (Master’s or equivalent) awarded a high grade.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in a subject area relevant to the PhD topic.
• Strong interest in scientific research, teaching, and pursuing a higher academic qualification.
• Willingness to commit to and participate actively in a structured PhD programme offering comprehensive training and networking opportunities.
• Be highly motivated and eager to work in an interdisciplinary, practice‑oriented research setting.
• Very good German or English language skills (C1 level) and the motivation to improve language skills where needed.

Application documents to be submitted

• Letter of motivation stating your interest in pursuing a doctoral qualification.
• Exposé (2-4 pages) on one of the PhD topics proposed in this call for applications, describing the scientific focus of the PhD thesis, the planned methodological approach, and a strategy for publishing the results.
• Meaningful letter of recommendation from the professor proposing the PhD topic (max. 1 page). This must include an evaluation of the scientific quality of the exposé, an assessment of the applicant’s suitability for the PhD project, and a commitment to supervise the applicant if they are successfully selected.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Proof of a university degree in a subject area relevant to the PhD topic, together with proof of a high grade for the thesis.

What do we offer?

• Completion of the PhD project as part of a supporting PhD programme, including close supervision and collaboration with PhD students from other universities of applied sciences in the State of Brandenburg.
• Excellent conditions for innovative, interdisciplinary research.
• A modern and dynamic work and university environment characterized by flexible working arrangements to facilitate the compatibility of family, private life, and career, with flexible working hours and short core working hours, as well as the possibility of working from home.
• Meaningful, interesting, and varied activities and opportunities to actively shape the university in a variety of ways.
• A trusting work culture based on equality.
• Membership in an innovative university community with a family atmosphere.
• Additional pension provision through the Federal and State Pension Institution (VBL) and capital‑forming benefits.
• 30 days of vacation plus additional days off on December 24 and 31.
• Excellent public transport connections (campus located right next to Wildau S-Bahn station) and free parking for cars and bicycles.
• A wide range of continuing education opportunities and English classes for employees.
• Canteen on campus.
• Free use of the external company social counseling service provided by TELUS Health GmbH via the “Frag Elli” app.
• Various health and sports offers, discounted membership at a gym with swimming pool.

Please note: Application costs (including travel expenses) cannot be covered.

The Technische Hochschule Wildau - Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau is seeking to increase the proportion of female employees and encourages suitably qualified women to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications and skills. We also encourage all interested parties and current employees at Technische Hochschule Wildau - Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau to apply. Applicants (f/m/d) with children are welcome – our university is certified as a family‑friendly university.

Salary is up to pay grade E13, depending on qualifications and experience, in accordance with the TV-L collective agreement for the federal states (TV-L).

Questions about the application

Please direct general questions about the application process to the application management team: Anita Reichelt .

We look forward to receiving your application!

Please apply using our online application form , quoting the reference number, by April 26th, 2026 .

Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau
Hochschulring 1
15745 Wildau

Visit us also: online in advance!

You can find more information about TH Wildau on the following pages: .

Please address any questions regarding the PhD topics and the coordination of the letter of recommendation directly to the respective professor responsible for the topic. Questions about the PhD programme will be answered by Dr. Carsten Hille .

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