Promotion

At TH Wildau, joint doctoral programs are offered in both faculties. In such cases, the doctoral candidate is jointly supervised by a professor from TH Wildau and a professor from a university. Admission to the doctoral program and the first examination take place at the university, while the doctoral dissertation is generally conducted directly at TH Wildau, where the second examination also takes place.
The doctoral regulations of the respective faculty at the participating university govern the doctoral process. These regulations set forth the essential rules regarding admission, the conduct, and the degree awarded at the end of doctoral studies, including the doctoral degree to be awarded. In addition, further requirements are specified—such as an above-average bachelor’s degree and, where applicable, required preparatory courses, particularly for graduates of universities of applied sciences. Doctoral candidates are generally enrolled as doctoral students at the respective university.
The topic of the dissertation should be a research question derived from the current state of research that is scientifically relevant and makes a novel contribution. The topic may, for example, stem from a previous thesis or the doctoral candidate’s own interests, or it may be announced by relevant research groups. The topic should be determined in consultation with potential supervisors. Suitable partner universities can be identified based on the methodological approach or through existing contacts at TH Wildau. Specific cooperation agreements for the systematic implementation of cooperative doctoral programs are in place with two universities: the University of Tor Vergata in Rome and BTU C-S.
The key points of the collaboration within the framework of the doctoral program should be set forth in writing in a supervision agreement between the supervisors and the doctoral candidate.
Funding for a cooperative doctoral program can be secured in various ways—for example, through a third-party-funded project, a doctoral fellowship, or participation in a research training group.
If you are interested in pursuing a doctorate at TH Wildau, please contact a professor at TH Wildau who specializes in the relevant field.
We are happy to answer your general questions.

Supported by the Brandenburg Graduate School for Applied Sciences

Whether you’re planning your doctoral career or simply looking for new inspiration for your research adventures—the new “PhD Compass” program is open to everyone: prospective doctoral students*, doctoral students*, and postdocs.

*If you plan to complete your doctorate at the new “Brandenburg Graduate School for Applied Sciences,” the courses offered may be mandatory for you. Please consult the illustrated PhD Compass in your study program or contact your academic career development advisor.

The number of participants for the workshops is limited, so we recommend registering as soon as possible. The idea behind the orientation week is to provide doctoral students with a comprehensive set of essential tools over the course of a week. However, depending on your interests, you can also sign up for individual workshops.

We look forward to receiving your registrations by February 15, 2026, via this link:

https://eveeno.com/orientationweek2026

And without further ado, here is the excitingprogramfor this fantastic week, which is designed to spark your enthusiasm for the fundamentals of research:

Monday: Foundations for a Successful Research Journey

Title: Good Scientific Practice

Location: Online

Language: English

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Summary: Good scientific practice is the foundation for reliable research and scientific progress. In this interactive workshop, you’ll familiarize yourself with the core principles of good scientific practice and explore your role and responsibilities as a researcher. Discussing case studies and exchanging ideas with colleagues will give you the opportunity to connect abstract standards with your day-to-day research practice. Throughout the day, we will reflect on research culture, gray areas, and individual dilemmas, as well as on generative AI as both a challenge and an opportunity for good scientific practice.

Tuesday: How to Communicate with the Entire Doctoral Team

Title: Setting the Course for a Successful Doctorate

Venue: Berlin Global Village, Am Sudhaus 2, 12053 Berlin

Course Language: English

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Summary: This workshop helps doctoral students gain orientation, clarity, and self-confidence during an early or critical phase of their doctoral studies. It introduces key phases of the doctoral process and common challenges, and invites participants to reflect on their motivation and goals and how these shape their doctoral journey. Participants will take a holistic view of their doctoral journey, identify personal, social, and institutional resources, and reflect on their supervision situation. Practical guidance will be provided on building constructive supervisory relationships and complementary support structures. Overall, the workshop helps participants chart a clear and realistic course toward a successful, sustainable, and self-directed doctoral degree.

Wednesday: How to Navigate the Vast Sea of Data

Title: Research Data Management

Location: Online

Course Language: German

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Summary: On this introductory day to research data management, discover how you can organize your research data efficiently, securely, and sustainably. Learn about standards, tools, and best practices that can simplify your daily research work and improve the quality of your results. Our experts will provide practical insights ranging from planning a professional approach to research data management to data archiving and publication. Take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions and exchange ideas with colleagues.

TH Wildau has set itself the goal of systematically and structurally promoting doctoral studies and, to this end, is continuously expanding the university’s Graduate College. Innovation and Career Centers (e.g., IKC IE, see below) focus on specific research areas but can be expanded at any time and are open to additional research areas that may arise in the future. The Career Center for Faculty Development also brings together a wide range of advisory and support services for a career path leading to a professorship at a university of applied sciences.

The specialized and interdisciplinary offerings of the Graduate College complement those of the university at which the doctoral students are enrolled. The added value of these offerings lies in their practical relevance, application-oriented research, and the particular importance of knowledge and technology transfer. Doctoral students can network with one another within the Research Training Group and acquire additional qualifications. Ultimately, the goal is for all individuals pursuing a doctorate at TH Wildau to complete the structured doctoral program within the Research Training Group and benefit from its added value.

The steering committee is responsible for academic quality assurance in doctoral programs within the Graduate College at TH Wildau that are based on employment contracts established for the purpose of pursuing a doctorate (doctoral or training positions). Quality assurance for cross-university innovation and career centers is carried out by steering committees formed within those centers (e.g., IKC IE, see below).

The interdepartmental steering committee is responsible for deciding on the allocation of doctoral or qualification positions, supporting the selection of research topics, guiding the doctoral procedures, and monitoring the progress of the doctoral work.

The steering committee’s operating procedures are governed by a set of rules of procedure (link).

The steering committee consists of the following members, each with one voting voice:

• Prof. Dr. Kathrin Bösener, Department of Economics, Computer Science, and Law
• Prof. Dr. Ute Geißler, Department of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Chair of the Steering Committee
• Prof. Dr. Sandra Haas, Department of Economics, Computer Science, and Law
• Liane Kober, M.Sc., Department of Engineering and Natural Sciences
• Dr. Tobias Kutzner, Department of Economics, Computer Science, and Law, Vice Chair of the Steering Committee
• Prof. Dr. Carolin Schmitz-Antoniak, Department of Engineering and Natural Sciences

Member with voting rights in the case of the qualification positions associated with the BMBF funding line “FH Personal”:

• Susanne Voltmer, Career Center for Professorial Development

The “Innovation and Career Center for Integrated Engineering” (IKC IE) is a research and training program for graduate students that offers a structured doctoral program in the field of engineering. After submitting an application, participants receive funding for the duration of their doctoral project. They take part in workshops and continuing education courses and receive close guidance throughout the entire doctoral process, including through

• Supervision Agreement: Rights and Responsibilities of Doctoral Students and Supervisors
• Doctoral Student Logbook: Continuous documentation and reflection on the doctoral process
• Regular Journal Club: Interdisciplinary exchange and clarification of questions
• Annual Meetings: Presentation of doctoral progress to the steering committee
• Conferences and Publications in Academic Journals: Presentation of research results to the scientific community
• Design and Implementation of Courses
• Continuing Education: Interdisciplinary Key Competencies

The IKC IE is a collaboration between the Technische Hochschule Wildau – Technical University of Applied Sciences (TH Wildau), the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE), and the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU C-S). It is funded by the State of Brandenburg.

Currently, there are no doctoral positions advertised at the IKC IE.

If you have any questions about the IKC IE, please contact: graduiertenkolleg(at)th-wildau.de

• Coordination
• Dr. Beate Schappach
• Spokesperson
• Prof. Dr. Ute Geißler
• Steering Committee
• Prof. Dr. Klaus-Martin Melzer (THW)
• Prof. Dr. Michael Hübner (BTU)
• Prof. Dr. Alexander Pfriem (HNEE)

TH Wildau

• Prof. Dr. Peter Blaschke
• Machine Dynamics and Low-Noise Design
• Prof. Dr. Andreas Foitzik
• Microsystems Engineering
• Prof. Dr. Ute Geißler
• Materials Science
• Prof. Dina Hannebauer
• Machine Dynamics and Acoustics
• Prof. Dr. Michael Herzog
• High-Performance Polymer Materials
• Prof. Dr. Andreas Mai
• Micro-/Nanoelectronics
• Prof. Dr. Dana Mietzner
• Innovation and Regional Management
• Prof. Dr. Jörg Reiff-Stephan
• Applied Computer Science in Mechanical Engineering

HNE Eberswalde

• Prof. Dr. Silke Lautner
• Applied Biology of Wood
• Prof. Dr. Alexander Pfriem
• Chemistry and Physics of Wood and Chemical Process Engineering
• Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schwarz
• Design, Construction, and Manufacturing of Wood Products

BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg

• Prof. Dr. Matthias Ziegenhorn
• Numerical Methods in Nonlinear Solid Mechanics

Ph.D. Candidate / Dissertation Title / Supervisor / Partner Universities

• Norman Günther
• Model of a Dynamic Socio-Cyber-Physical Production System for Human-Centered Process Control
• Prof. Dr. Ulrich Berger (BTU), Prof. Dr. Jörg Reiff-Stephan (TH Wildau)
• Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences Cottbus-Senftenberg
• Robert KamenzkyInvestigation of a Method for Precise Noise Detection in Rail-Based Transportation SystemsProf. Dr. Peter Blaschke (THW), Prof. Dr. Ennes Sarradj (TU Berlin)
• Berlin University of Applied Sciences
• Robin Pianowski
• Investigation of wear detection based on natural frequency shifts in tram wheel tires
• Prof. Dr. Dina Hannebauer (THW), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sylvio Simon (BTU)
• Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences Cottbus-Senftenberg
• Bastian Prell
• Acceptance, Use, and Adoption of Digital and Industrial Methods in the Skilled Trades (successfully defended on August 21, 2025, magna cum laude)
• Prof. Dr. Christiane Hipp (European University of Flensburg), Prof. Dr. Jörg Reiff-Stephan (THW)
• Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences Cottbus-Senftenberg
• Francesco Villasmunta
• Optical through-silicon waveguides for 3D chip-to-chip connections
• Prof. Dr. Andreas Mai (THW), Prof. Dr. Harald Schenk (BTU)
• Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences Cottbus-Senftenberg

• Hochschulkompass – a service provided by the German Rectors’ Conference: www.hochschulkompass.de/promotion.html
• The guide to doctoral studies on academics: https://www.academics.de/themen/promovieren
• Early-career researchers at TH Wildau can take advantage of interdisciplinary continuing education programs offered by partner universities
• Potsdam Graduate School: www.uni-potsdam.de/de/pogs/
• Graduate Research School of the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg: www.b-tu.de/researchschool/
• Brandenburg Network for Quality in Higher Education (sqb): https://www.faszination-lehre.de/

• Good Research Practice
• 1. Amendment to the Statutes to Ensure Good Research Practice at TH Wildau: www.th-wildau.de/files/2_Dokumente/Amtliche_Mitteilungen/27_2024_LV_1Aend_Satzung_DFG_Kodex_01.pdf
• Ombudsman’s Office for Ensuring Good Research Practice at TH Wildau: www.th-wildau.de/thinsights/prof-iciar-dominguez-lacasa-zur-ombudsperson-fuer-die-sicherung-der-wissenschaftlichen-praxis-bestellt/
• Ombudsman for Research at the German Research Foundation (DFG): ombudsman-fuer-die-wissenschaft.de
• Plagiarism Prevention: www.th-wildau.de/university/zentrale-einrichtungen/university-library/schulungen-und-beratungsangebote/gute-wissenschaftliche-praxis-und-plagiatspraevention/
• Research Data Management
• Research Data Management Brandenburg: fdm-bb.de
• “Research Data.info” Information Platform: forschungsdaten.info
• Funding Opportunities
• Vacancies at TH Wildau: www.th-wildau.de/university/jobs-und-karriere/stellenangebote/
• Foundation Search: stiftungssuche.de
• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): www.daad.de
• German Research Foundation (DFG): https://www.dfg.de/

• Publications
• TH Wildau Publication Fund: www.th-wildau.de/hochschule/zentrale-einrichtungen/university library/open-access-und-publikationsdienste/publikationsfonds/
• Introduction to Open Access: open-access.network/startseite
• Brandenburg Open Access Network and Competence Center: open-access-brandenburg.de
• Database of Open Access Journals: doaj.org
• Open Researcher and Contributor ID as an internationally recognized identifier for researchers: orcid.org

2023

• Sascha Morlock
• Modification of electrode surfaces with photoactive proteins to generate a photocurrent and synthesize valuable substances through enzyme coupling
• Prof. Dr. Fred Lisdat
• Humboldt University of Berlin
• Philipp Schrauth
• Agglomeration, Air Quality, and Urban Transformation
• Prof. Dr. Ronny Freier
• Potsdam University of Applied Sciences
• Andreas Walter
• Optimization of the Final Reserve Fuel
• Prof. Dr. Stefan Kubica
• “Tor Vergata” University of Rome

2022

• Jan MillauerDevelopment and validation of a binder-based mobile pollutant detectorProf. Dr. Andreas Foitzik“Tor Vergata” University of Rome
• Erik KrumnowAuto-injection system for non-medical staff in hazardous environmentsProf. Dr. Andreas Foitzik“Tor Vergata” University of Rome
• Ron van de SandModel for Predictive Maintenance and Failure Mode Detection in Industrial Cooling Systems from Various ManufacturersProf. Dr. Jörg Reiff-Stephan, Tor Vergata University, Rome
• Matthias BieberbachPlane Gain – Is a Corporate Jet Worth It?Prof. Dr. Stephan Kubica, Tor Vergata University, Rome
• Vasileios VerverisInternet Censorship in the EU: A Technical AnalysisProf. Dr. Benjamin Fabian, Humboldt University of Berlin

2021

• Anna GrebynikSynergistic Chemo- and Photodynamic Treatment of Cancer Cells with C₆₀ Fullerene NanocomplexesProf. Dr. Marcus Frohme, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg
• Franziska GlösOptimization of the Energy Transfer Coefficient Using a Sample from a Heating and Cooling SystemProf. Dr. Andreas Foitzik, Tor Vergata University, Rome
• Susanne SchlegelDesign of a Miniaturized Blood Collection SystemProf. Dr. Andreas Foitzik, Tor Vergata University, Rome
• Andreas EngelsOpen-Source 3D BioprinterProf. Dr. Andreas Foitzik, Tor Vergata University, Rome
• Volker SchlegelDesign of a 3D Printer for the Production of Customized OrganoidsProf. Dr. Andreas Foitzik, Tor Vergata University, Rome
• Dominik HügleTransition from School to Working Life and Labor Market OutcomesProf. Dr. Ronny Freier, Freie Universität Berlin

2020

• David MarehnReliability of Data Acquisition and Processing Approaches for Chromatographic Detection Systems in PharmacyProf. Dr. Heike Pospisil, Tor Vergata University, Rome
• Josefine Johanna GottschalkElectronic Speckle-Pattern Interferometry for Cancer ResearchProf. Dr. Andreas Foitzik, Tor Vergata University, Rome
• Dimitri CiorniPerformance-Oriented Strategies for the Integration and Networking of Photosystem I in 2D and 3D Architectures, as well as for Coupling with Enzymatic CatalysisProf. Dr. Fred Lisdat, Humboldt University of Berlin
• Barbara LeszynskaFabrication of monolayers and solar cells using very high-frequency (VHF) plasma excitation and layer diagnosticsProf. Dr. Sigurd Schrader, Dresden University of Technology
• Josephat Kipyegon TanuiDetailed investigation of wood combustion in a fixed-bed reactorProf. Dr. Michael Herzog, Dedan-Kimathi University, Nyeri, Kenya
• Thomas JacobVehicle data analysis: Situation recognition in cars using dataProf. Dr. Stefan Kubica, Tor Vergata University, Rome

2019

• Heike KagelLight-Induced pH Cycle: A Non-Invasive Method for Controlling Biochemical ReactionsProf. Dr. Marcus Frohme, Potsdam University of Applied Sciences
• Andrè LeschkeAlgorithm Concept for Accident Detection in Passenger CarsProf. Dr. Stefan Kubica, Tor Vergata University, Rome
• Yen HoangFeature Engineering: A De Novo Binning Strategy for the Analysis and Visualization of Multidimensional Cytometric DataProf. Dr. Peter Beyerlein, Potsdam University of Applied Sciences
• Katja LohmannVehicle Data AnalysisProf. Dr. Frank Dieter Sistenich, Chemnitz University of Technology
• Lars RadkeEvaluation of the Efficacy of Glycosylated Vaccines Using the RSV F Protein as an ExampleProf. Dr. Marcus Frohme, Charité Berlin
• Jan-Patrick CapManagement of Innovation Networks with a Track Focusing on Collaboration: A Method for Integrating Organizational and Analytical Perspectives on Networks Using Research and Technology Organizations as an ExampleProf. Thomas Knothe, Technical University of Berlin

2018

• Benjamin BrunsThree Essays on Labor and Political Economy Prof. Dr. Ronny Freier, Humboldt University of Berlin
• Verena GrassThe Consequences of Financial Crises and Natural Disasters for the Public Prof. Dr. Ronny Freier, Free University of Berlin
• Andreas FrahmUnmanned Aerial Vehicle for Environmental Research Under Extreme Conditions in a Volcanic Ash Cloud Prof. Prof. Wolfgang Rüthner-Kindel, Tor Vergata University of Rome
• Marc RiedelPhotonics-Based Methods for Combining Enzymatic Reactions with Photoactive Units to Construct Biohybrid Electrodes Prof. Dr. Fred Lisdat, Potsdam University of Applied Sciences
• Thilo LiebscherAffinity viscometry sensor for enzyme-free detection of glucoseProf. Dr. Andreas Foitzik, Tor Vergata University, Rome
• Felix SchützeEngineering of miniaturized, cost-effective flow-through devicesProf. Dr. Andreas Foitzik, Tor Vergata University, Rome
• Sylvio SchneiderSmartphone-based reader for quantitative lateral-flow assaysProf. Dr. Andreas Foitzik, Tor Vergata University, Rome
• Tarun Teja MallareddyThe impedance testing machine for brake padsProf. Dr. Peter Blaschke, Tor Vergata University, Rome
• Sven AngermannStudies on Propeller Optimization Using PropletsProf. Dr. Wolfgang Rüther-Kindel, Tor Vergata University, Rome

2017

• Christian RoggeIn-situ pH Measurement System for MicrobioreactorsProf. Dr. Andreas Foitzik, Tor Vergata University, Rome