Freie Universität Berlin (FUB), Humboldt Universität zu Berlin (HUB), Fritz-Haber-Institut (FHI), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Charité), Helmoltz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB), Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften Berlin (ISAS), Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Universität Potsdam (UP), Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces (MPI-KGF)
All activities are in English. English, German and French courses are offered. The PhD thesis may be written in English or German, as preferred.
15 January for the following winter semester
The Einstein Center of Catalysis / Berlin International Graduate School of Natural Sciences and Engineering (EC2/BIG-NSE) is an international doctoral programme that was founded in May 2007 at the Technische Universität Berlin (TUB). Since January 2019, the programme has been part of the Einstein Foundation Berlin (ESB: www.einsteinfoundation.de/). It is closely associated with the Cluster of Excellence "Unified Systems in Catalysis" ("UniSysCat": www.unisyscat.de), founded by the TUB and eight other institutions in the Berlin area within the framework of the "Excellence Initiative" of the German government. The high-ranking research in catalysis covers a broad range of topics, from natural sciences to engineering. The success of this research programme, which is unique in Germany, requires highly qualified and motivated young researchers in the various projects. With the founding of EC2/BIG-NSE, UniSysCat aims to recruit the most gifted students and young researchers in the world, and to offer them a broad, high-level, structured educational programme in order to prepare them for the high-ranking research performed at the cluster.
The main characteristic of EC2/BIG-NSE is a comprehensive integration and mentoring programme for its students, especially its international students.
Further aspects of the PhD studies offered at EC2/BIG-NSE are as follows:
Active support is given to the students in the following ways:
Due to its numerous contacts with industry partners, it is easy for EC2/BIG-NSE to organise internships for its PhD students in such companies that are advantageous for the students' PhD research.
Approximately 300 EUR per semester
The cost of living is estimated to approximately 1,200 EUR per month for students living in Berlin.
EC2/BIG-NSE offers several new scholarships students can apply for every year. These scholarships transform into PhD assistant positions after the first year, and funding continues for two more years.
Suitable Master's degree qualifying for a PhD in one of the research areas of the UniSysCat Cluster (www.unisyscat.de/research-units.html)
Applicants must provide proof of excellent English skills: TOEFL 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), 79 (Internet-based) or equivalent.
15 January for the following winter semester
The EC2/BIG-NSE administration office supports its students in their search for suitable accommodation in Berlin and Potsdam.
https://www.tu.berlin/en/studying/advising/studienberatung/advising/career-entry-development
More information is available on the websites of the participating universities:
https://www.tu-berlin.de, https://www.hu-berlin.de, https://www.fu-berlin.de, https://www.uni-potsdam.de
The administration office of EC2/BIG-NSE is located at the TU Berlin.
To activate the map, click on the "Show map" button. We would like to point out that data will be transmitted to OpenStreetMap after activation. You can find out more in our privacy policy. You can revoke your consent to the transmission of data at any time.
