Research and Doctoral Studies

Since 2022, the state’s universities of applied sciences have been pooling their research strengths. Through this consortium, the HSO holds independent doctoral degree-granting authority. Professors with strong research backgrounds, serving as registered examiners, will guide you directly to your degree.

The following professors are registered in the four specialized research units:

I) Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences

• Prof. Dr. Thomas Breyer-Mailänder

• Prof. Dr. Jürgen Seitz

II) Life Sciences, Biotechnologie, and Medizintechnik

• Prof. Dr. Thomas Eisele [Institute for Circular Bioeconomy – ICB]

• Prof. Dr. Harald Hoppe [Peter Osypka Institute for Medizintechnik – POIM]

• Prof. Dr. Steffen Willwacher [Institute for Advanced Biomechanics and Motion Studies (IBMS)]

• Prof. Dr. Stefan Zirn [Peter Osypka Institute for Medizintechnik – POIM]

III) Informatik and Electrical Engineering – Engineering Sciences 2

Prof. Dr. Rainer Gasper [Institute for Sustainable Energy Systems – INES]

Prof. Dr. Marlene Harter [Institute for Unmanned Aerial Systems – IUAS]

Prof. Dr. Niklas Hartmann [Institute for Sustainable Energy Systems – INES]

Prof. Dr. Janis Keuper [Institute for Machine Learning and Analytics – IMLA]

Prof. Dr. Christian Klöffer [Institute for Sustainable Energy Systems – INES]

Prof. Dr. Oliver Korn [Affective and Cognitive Institute – ACI]

Prof. Dr. Theo Lutz [Institute for Machine Learning and Analytics – IMLA, Institute for Digital Engineering and Production – IDEeP]

Prof. Dr. Michael Schmidt [Institute for Sustainable Energy Systems – INES]

Prof. Dr. Axel Sikora [Institute for Reliable Embedded Systems and Communication Electronics – ivESK]

Prof. Dr. Thomas Wendt [Work-Life Robotics Institute – WLRI]

IV) Engineering

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Bessler [Institute for Sustainable Energy Systems – INES]

Prof. Dr. Daniel Kray [Institute for Sustainable Energy Systems – INES]

Prof. Dr. Jens Pfafferott [Institute for Sustainable Energy Systems – INES]

Prof. Dr. Thomas Seifert [Institute for Digital Engineering and Production – IDEeP]

All agreements, bylaws, and doctoral regulations of the Doctoral Association are available online. If you have any further questions, please visit the Association’s website or contact the Graduate Academy.

Through our proven collaboration with national and international universities and industry partners, you can combine the HSO’s application-oriented approach with the university’s expertise.

Possible partner institutions in addition to the HSO may include:

• universities, 

• non-university research institutions, 

• companies, 

• international partner institutions (including through cotutelle or dual-degree programs), or 

• other forms of external doctoral programs—including part-time options—with external partners (e.g., cultural institutions or foundations).

The most common route is through direct employment at the University. If the position is tied to a specific project, the dissertation topic is usually closely linked to the project, and the project leadership is involved in supervising the dissertation. In addition to project work, administrative tasks are usually part of the job description.

Open positions are posted on the University’s careers page.

In addition, you can search specifically for doctoral positions on relevant portals:

• Academics.de 

• Hochschulkompass.de

• DAAD.de

If a company collaborates with a University and, in doing so, works with an individual registered with the Doctoral Association, a doctoral degree can be earned through this process. In this model, business and academic interests are combined, and a dual qualification approach is pursued. It is common for the student to be employed by the company and receive academic supervision at the University, which results in a wide range of benefits for all parties involved.

It is also possible to self-fund your doctoral studies. This approach often offers the greatest degree of freedom in choosing your research topic and the most flexibility in terms of time for your own research. The most common form of self-funding is a scholarship. Numerous organizations for the promotion of talented students, foundations, and research institutions support outstanding doctoral candidates not only financially but also through intellectual support and valuable networks.

1) Funding programs sorted by funding institution and field

• myStipendium Funding Database

2) Funding programs for (international) doctoral candidates

• DAAD Scholarship Database

• Additional funding databases and selected funding programs for doctoral students, compiled by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR)

• BW Scholarship for doctoral students at a University in Baden-Württemberg to study abroad 

• Doctoral Scholarship from the Hans Böckler Foundation

• Doctoral scholarship from the Cusanuswerk

• Doctoral scholarship from the foundation of German Business

• Doctoral scholarship from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation

• Doctoral Fellowship from the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Student Support Program

• Add-on Fellowship for Knowledge Transfer from the Joachim Herz Foundation

• Doctoral Fellowship from the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU)

Each scholarship has its own eligibility requirements—please carefully review the criteria and target audience. If you have any questions, we’d be happy to assist you.

Doctoral research groups, also known as graduate schools, offer a structured, time-limited doctoral program in a specific subject area. There is no central database for these programs; a comprehensive list and further information can be found on the Research in Germany website.