Candidates are selected according to a two-step process.

First, applications are reviewed by two of the principal investigators of the GRK – one PI is an expert in the field of the applicant’s research topic, while the other is an expert in a different field. This procedure helps us to guarantee the interdisciplinary compatibility or character of the project. Applications submitted by candidates who completed their prior qualification with one of the PIs in the research training group will be reviewed by a different PI. The supervisor of the prior qualification can serve as a referee, whom we are supposed to ask for a letter of recommendation.

Second, based on the outcome of the PIs’ assessments, the interdisciplinary selection committee will invite shortlisted candidates for a video interview by the end of June. The interviews will be held online in order to ensure a fair selection process across the board for all applicants, whether they are based in Berlin, in Germany, or abroad. The interviews will be concluded by mid-July.

The candidates are then ranked by the selection committee according to the PIs’ assessments and impressions gained from the interviews. The selected candidates will be informed by the end of July at the latest and will start their positions from October 1, 2021.

The Agreement on Doctorate Supervision ("Betreuungsvereinbarung") will be granted by accepting the applicant to the GRK. It is not necessary to have the Agreement on Supervision by the PI at hand to start the application. Docs will be enrolled and employed at the university of their primary supervisor.