Polymer Science
The doctoral programme "Polymer Science" introduces itself
Polymer Science (polymer science, macromolecular research) is an impressive example of an interdisciplinary, innovative and important field of materials science, and is currently one of the fastest growing disciplines in the world. Polymer science is based on the traditional fields of chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical and biochemistry) and includes theoretical and experimental polymer physics as well as the polymer-oriented sub-areas of the engineering sciences. The special attraction for students lies in the fact that polymers are materials that are not only commercially very important and part of our daily lives, but also represent the main class of 21st century materials in terms of growth and innovation. The doctoral programme also includes colloid science, the science of nanoscopically small particles, many of which are polymers or polymer hybrids with inorganic materials. The properties of these nanoparticles often differ dramatically from macroscopic particles and are determined by their interfaces.
Polymer and colloid science at the University of Bayreuth is a profile-building research focus with a large international network. The PhD programme is supported by members of the Bayreuth Institute for Macromolecular Research (BIMF), the Bayreuth Center for Colloids and Interfaces (BZKG) and the Collaborative Research Center "From Particulate Nanosystems to Mesotechnology" (SFB 840). The doctoral programme is closely networked with the elite study programme "Macromolecular Science“ within the framework of the Elite Network Bavaria (ENB) and the master's programme "Polymer Science“.
Occupational fields
PhD chemists, physicists or engineers with an education in polymer science are highly sought after in the chemical, plastics and processing industries. They are superbly qualified for a variety of professional fields in management positions in large and medium-sized companies, as well as for a career at universities and non-university research institutions. In Germany, more than 20% of all post-doctoral chemists are involved in problems of macromolecular chemistry in their later careers, however, much fewer are trained as such per se.
Objectives
The aim of the "Polymer Science" doctoral programme is to provide young scientists with an excellent education that enables them to contribute creatively to the further development of scientific concepts and to pursue competitive careers in the polymer and colloid sciences. In addition, the doctoral programme offers interdisciplinary training through research. It promotes interdisciplinary skills and prepares students for their future careers in an optimal fashion.
Independent research and scientific communication
The scientific work on the research project itself forms the core of doctoral training. During their doctoral studies, each doctoral candidate is accompanied by a mentoring committeee consisting of three scientists. At the beginning of the doctoral programme, the doctoral candidate develops a research plan that presents the thesis project and is discussed and further developed with his or her mentoring committee. Annual interim reports serve to regularly evaluate and optimise the progress of the research project. In addition, each doctoral candidate completes an individual training programme that is optimally geared to the specific skills and needs of the doctoral candidate, and to the requirements of the scientific doctoral project. This includes participation in working group and literature seminars, student symposia, summer schools, and commitment to teaching. In addition, the doctoral candidates should present their research results at scientific conferences and participate in the writing of publications. This programme enables doctoral students to carry out independent research and scientific communication, and serves as an ideal basis for making responsible contributions in education, research, industry and society.