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University graduates who begin their research career at ZEW can attain their doctoral degree by following one of two pathways:
- by participating in the ZEW Doctoral Studies Network (ZEW DocNet)
- by working as a full-time staff member in a ZEW research unit within the framework of ZEW's in-house PhD programme
Regardless of the path chosen, clear milestones help to insure that our doctoral candidates make steady and rapid progress. Successful completion of a doctoral degree does not take longer at ZEW than at most German universities. Our doctoral candidates require on average less than five years to obtain a PhD.
In 2006 the Institute launched a new pathway for PhD students: ZEW DocNet. ZEW DocNet is an international network that links ZEW with graduate programmes at the Universities of Konstanz, Maastricht, Mannheim, St. Gallen (CH), and Leuven (BE). Those who choose the ZEW DocNet pathway have to apply first for admission to the graduate school of a participating university. Depending on the structure of the respective doctoral programme, doctoral students are invited to apply as early as possible for a research position in one of ZEW’s research units. In the majority of doctoral programmes the time most fitting seems to be, at the latest, the end of the first or the beginning of the second year. PhD students may then pursue their project work either in part or entirely at ZEW.
ZEW DocNet is still being developed, but already accounts for one in seven of the Institute’s doctoral candidates. Over the next few years, it will take on even greater importance in ZEW’s doctoral education programme.
The ZEW’s in-house PhD programme involves the writing of a doctoral dissertation based on collaborative projects. In tandem with experienced economists and the heads of the research units, young researchers develop a topic for their doctoral dissertation based on ongoing project work. Once doctoral students are matched with a research topic, a dissertation mentor is sought out at a German or foreign university. The ongoing development of the dissertation is based on the regulations for doctoral studies at the university in question. The candidate also has the opportunity to enrol in doctoral courses at the university.
“The ZEW DocNet has provided me with the opportunity to share the practice and experience with my supervisor and other colleagues and researchers. The link between our applied research at ZEW and the basic research at the universities is great. The opportunity to expand my theoretical knowledge in the doctoral programme at the University of K.U.Leuven is exactly what I need for my work at ZEW.”
Franz Schwiebacher, researcher in the research unit “Industrial Economics and International Management”
