Doctoral Scholarships
Call for applications: GSSP scholarships for international PhD candidates
The Graduate School of the Cluster of Excellence “Understanding Written Artefacts” and the Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (CSMC) invite applications for doctoral scholarships within the Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP) of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) starting on 1 October 2021.
Successful applicants will receive a full scholarship (1200 EUR/month) plus health insurance and monthly allowances for a period of three years. An extension to four years is possible in well-grounded cases.
Who can apply?
We are looking for highly qualified and very motivated English-speaking international doctoral candidates (non-German citizens) holding a Master, Diploma or equivalent degree in any discipline concerned with the study of manuscript cultures and written artefacts, regardless of region (for an exemplary list of disciplines, please click here).
Please note: At the time of the nomination (in early 2021), the last final exam (Master degree) should not have been taken more than six years ago. Candidates who have been living in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of nomination are not eligible.
At Universität Hamburg, there exists the option of cotutelle (bi-nationally supervised doctoral degrees).
Language requirements
The working language at the CSMC is English and the doctoral dissertation (Dr. phil., Dr. rer. nat.) is written in either English or German. Therefore, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in English on at least level B1 (certified).
Knowledge of the German language is not required.
The application process
The application follows two steps: In a first step, a committee of PIs reviews all applications and makes a selection of promising candidates. The main criteria are the quality and innovative potential of the candidate’s research proposal, and its contribution to and compatibility with the Cluster’s existing research objectives.
In a second step, the selected candidates are nominated by the CSMC and submit their final application through a portal to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), who makes the final decision. More information on the process can be found in the GSSP Guideline for Applicants.
What we offer
Doctoral candidates will be integrated into a vibrant interdisciplinary research environment of more than 30 disciplines at two faculties (humanities, natural sciences) studying manuscripts and other written artefacts. Doctoral students present and discuss their research in colloquia, are closely guided by a supervising professor from their field and are encouraged to attend summer schools, workshops, talks and other events offered by the Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (CSMC). They have access to facilities such as the artefact profiling lab and the library. Furthermore, doctoral students benefit from a workshop programme aimed at strengthening their soft skills. The enrolment as doctoral students guarantees full access to all facilities and services Universität Hamburg offers for this group.
Application documents and deadline
The following documents have to be submitted by e-mail as one PDF file before 15 January 2021 to the Coordinator of the Graduate School (contact see below):
- A detailed research proposal of the planned dissertation project, compatible with the Cluster’s research objectives
Please structure it as follows and do not exceed 5 pages: 1. Abstract of the proposal 2. Research proposal 3. Work schedule outlined for 3 years. - CV (including full contact details, the educational and professional background, any relevant publications, and language skills).
- A letter of motivation explaining the candidate’s academic and professional interests, and how the doctoral programme would in their opinion contribute to achieving their personal career goals (1 page).
- Copies of B.A./B.Sc., M.A./M.Sc. or other relevant certificates.
- Proof of English language proficiency (at least at level B1).
Contact
Coordinator of the Graduate School
merryl.rebello@uni-hamburg.de( merryl.rebello"AT"uni-hamburg.de)