Doctoral Studies at HHN

A doctorate offers the opportunity to engage deeply with an academic research question and to make an independent contribution to the development of our society. At universities of applied sciences (HAW), doctoral candidates benefit from the combination of academic excellence, practical relevance and personal supervision. Research frequently takes place in close collaboration with companies, other institutions and social stakeholders, giving rise to academically rigorous projects with a high degree of applied relevance.

What does a doctoral project typically require?

• A good university degree and the subject-specific qualifications relevant to the doctoral project
• A genuine interest in academic research questions
• The ability to work independently in an academic context
• A willingness to engage in sustained, in-depth work on a research topic over an extended period

 Does this apply to you? Then a doctorate could be the right path for you.

The Research and Graduate Centre (RAGC) is happy to help you find your way.

At Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences, there are several pathways to a doctorate. Which model is most suitable for you depends in particular on your research project, your field of study and your personal circumstances.

Doctorate via Association for Doctoral Studies at the Universities of Applied Sciences in Baden-Württemberg (Promotionsverband)
Pursuing a doctorate through the Association for Doctoral Studies Baden-Württemberg allows you to complete your doctoral studies directly at a university of applied sciences. As a member of the Association for Doctoral Studies, Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences offers excellent conditions for carrying out your doctoral project. Your research and supervision take place at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences. The Promotionsverband governs the formal framework, decides on the acceptance of doctoral projects and awards the doctoral degree upon successful completion.

Cooperative doctorate with primary supervision at a university
In a cooperative doctorate, supervising professors from HHN and a university work together. Primary supervision is provided by the university, whilst a professor at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences takes on the role of secondary supervisor. This model allows you to combine the research strengths of both institutions. Cooperative doctorates are possible with both national and international universities. The admission and doctoral requirements are governed by the doctoral regulations of the relevant faculty at the primary supervising university.

Part-time doctorate alongside employment
A doctorate can also be pursued alongside professional employment in industry, or in close collaboration with an employer, in which case the university is commissioned as part of a research project.

The path to a doctorate takes place in several stages:

1. Develop a research topic
Consider which academic topic you would like to work on in the long term and how it aligns with your subject interests and qualifications. Not all details need to be finalised at the outset. Thinking this through will help you to search purposefully for suitable supervision for your topic.

2. Find supervision
To pursue a doctorate, you will need a professor who can provide academic supervision for your doctoral project. Information on the research priorities and research activities of Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences can be found in the research profile of HHN. You can also find further potential supervisors in the relevant research unit on the website of the Promotionsverband Baden-Württemberg.

3. Prepare an exposé
Together with your supervisor, you will refine your doctoral project and prepare a research exposé. This document describes, amongst other things, the research question, the current state of research, the planned methodology and the objectives of your project. Please take note of the guidance from the Association for Doctoral Studies Baden-Württemberg regarding the structure and content of the exposé.

4. Be accepted as a doctoral candidate
Once the supervision arrangement, exposé and all other required documents are in place, you can apply for acceptance as a doctoral candidate with the Association for Doctoral Studies Baden-Württemberg. The application is submitted via the PromaS BW portal.

5. Enrolment at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences
Following acceptance as a doctoral candidate, you will be asked to enrol at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences. Under certain conditions, it is possible to waive enrolment. Information on the required documents and applicable regulations can be found on the relevant webpage.

6. Begin the doctoral phase
Following acceptance, you can officially commence your research project and make use of the qualification and networking opportunities offered by Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences. Further information on the doctoral process can be found on the website of the Association for Doctoral Studies. 

Tip: For a personal insight into everyday doctoral life at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences, listen to the podcast episode "Promovieren an der HHN" in the podcast "HHN mit allem" (in German).

Funding for a doctorate can be secured in a number of ways. The most suitable option for you will depend on your research project, your personal circumstances and your professional goals.
The most common funding routes for doctoral candidates are:

Employment at Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences
Many doctoral candidates are employed as research staff at the university and contribute to research and development projects as part of their role. This allows them to benefit from close involvement in research, teaching and academic networks. Current vacancies can be found on the career website of Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences.

Scholarships and funding programmes
Scholarships allow you to focus independently and flexibly on your doctoral project. Funding is often provided for specific phases of the doctorate or for particular needs, and may include additional qualification, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Do you have questions about your next steps or would you like to discuss your doctoral opportunities on an individual basis? The Research and Graduate Center is here to support you in finding your path, connecting you with the right contacts, and guiding you throughout your journey toward a doctorate. Please feel free to contact us directly. The relevant contact persons can be found at the bottom of this page.

Welcome to Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences.

HHN offers doctoral candidates various opportunities for networking and academic exchange:

Network for Science and Early Career Researchers (WiN)
The Network for Science and Early Career Researchers (WiN), organized by the Research and Graduate Center (FuGZ), serves as HHN’s university-wide platform for exchange and networking among researchers from all disciplines. It fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, supports the development of joint research ideas, and promotes networking opportunities related to research and doctoral studies.

doctora
The doctora network is a project of the Professorinnenprogramm 2030 and is based within the Office for Equality and Diversity. It supports and connects women pursuing academic careers and research. Services include:

• Support and guidance throughout the doctoral process
• Workshops and professional development programs
• Networking events
• Co-working opportunities
• Individual financial support options

To join the networks and mailing lists, please contact the relevant persons directly.

If you are an external doctoral candidate and would you like to make use of the infrastructure and services of Heilbronn University, there are two options are available to you:

Enrolment
If you have been accepted by the Association for Doctoral Studies at the Universities of Applied Sciences in Baden-Württemberg (Promotionsverband) and your primary supervision is at HHN, enrolment is mandatory. Information on requirements, documents and regulations can be found on the relevant service page.

Visiting researcher status
If you are pursuing a cooperative doctorate and have a secondary supervisor at HHN, you can apply for Visiting Researcher Status through your supervising professor. This gives you access to selected services and infrastructure at the university. Further information is available on the HHN intranet.

The foundation of your doctorate is the supervision agreement with your supervisor, which sets out the rights, responsibilities and expectations of both parties. Should any questions or conflicts arise during the doctoral process, the following support services are available to you:

• For matters relating to academic misconduct, please contact the Ombudsperson at Heilbronn University or the Ombuds Office of the Association for Doctoral Studies Baden-Württemberg.
• For questions or problems relating to supervision, you are also welcome to contact the Research and Graduate Centre.
• In addition, the free-of-charge psychosocial counselling service provided by Heidelberg Student Services (Studierendenwerk Heidelberg) is available to you.

Heilbronn University supports doctoral candidates with interdisciplinary qualification programmes and networking formats. These include, amongst others:

• Good Academic Practice (GAP)
• Academic writing
• Time and self-management
• Career development and Research Skills
  
  

Doctoral candidates are encouraged to take advantage of the training programs offered by the Association for Doctoral Studies Baden-Württemberg, as well as the learning and information resources provided by the Library LiV, for example on literature research and reference management.

Please note: Doctoral candidates of the Association for Doctoral Studies Baden-Württemberg are required to complete a specified number of interdisciplinary qualification credits. The requirements can be found in the doctoral regulations of the respective research units.
In addition, many supervisors offer subject-specific colloquia and exchange formats. Please speak directly to your academic supervisor.

Do you have specific continuing professional development needs? Please feel free to contact us directly!

Various options are available for funding conference travel, publication costs or other academic activities, depending on the doctoral model. Please first speak with your supervisor about existing funding opportunities within your research project or department.

We are also happy to advise you on further funding and financing options.

Do you have questions about your doctorate, qualification opportunities, funding or formal requirements? The Research and Graduate Centre is happy to help and can connect you with the right contacts. Please feel free to contact us directly.

At Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences, there are several ways to provide academic supervision for doctoral projects.

Primary supervision via the Association for Doctoral Studies at the Universities of Applied Sciences in Baden-Württemberg (Promotionsverband)
As a member of the BW-CAR doctoral centre within the Association for Doctoral Studies Baden-Württemberg, you can supervise doctoral projects as primary supervisor. This requires meeting the admission criteria of the doctoral centre. Information on the criteria and the membership application can be found on the website of the Promotionsverband.

Cooption or association at a university
In addition to the Promotionsverband, professors at universities of applied sciences (HAW) may participate in doctoral procedures at universities through cooption or association.
As coopted or associated professors, you are formally integrated into the doctoral supervision structures of the respective university. In contrast to cooption, association exempts you from the rights and obligations of committee work or other forms of academic self-governance. The specific requirements and rights vary from university to university.

Secondary supervision
As a secondary supervisor, you support doctoral projects through your subject expertise and accompany doctoral candidates at universities or within the Association for Doctoral Studies Baden-Württemberg.

Teaching load reduction
In principle, no reduction in teaching load is provided for the supervision of doctoral candidates. However, under certain conditions, a teaching load reduction may be requested for research projects without external funding that involve the supervision of doctral candidates. Further information can be found on the intranet under Incentive Systems for Research: Teaching Load Reduction.

Your options for supporting the academic work of doctoral candidates
The costs of academic publications and active conference participation can place a burden on early-career researchers. The following options are available to support research activities:

• For research staff employed at more than 50% of full-time capacity, partial cost subsidies may be granted on application from a central research fund (subject to prior examination of alternative external funding options). Further information can be found on the intranet under Incentive Systems for Research: Research Fund and Monetary Incentives for Publications.
• For external doctoral candidates or research staff at HHN working fewer than 10 hours per week, you may, under certain conditions, provide financial support using your own freely available third-party funds. This is possible either through a visiting researcher status or the award of scholarships. The most appropriate solution for your doctoral candidates depends on the nature and extent of their employment.

Further information can be found on the intranet under Early-Career Researchers.

Members of the BW-CAR doctoral centre also have access to professional development opportunities and networking formats for supervisors offered by the Doctoral Association Baden-Württemberg for supervisors.

Academic integrity forms the foundation of trustworthy research and good supervision. Heilbronn University is committed to the Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and promotes a culture of academic integrity in research, teaching and the support of early-career researchers.

As a supervisor, you bear an important responsibility for upholding academic quality and for conveying good academic practice. This includes in particular transparent guidance throughout the doctoral process, fostering a culture of responsible research, and supporting your doctoral candidates on matters of academic integrity.

Further information can be found on the Scientific Integrity webpage.

Do you have questions about doctoral supervision or funding opportunities for a doctorate? The Research and Graduate Centre is happy to provide individual advice and support. Please feel free to contact us directly.