Launch of new programs for doctoral and post-doctoral researchers

The funding programme enables doctoral candidates to network and receive further training in the area of digitalisation as well as financial support for research activities within their field of doctoral studies. To this end, particularly qualified doctoral candidates whose work on digitalisation has a technical, economic or societal focus will stand to receive funding. Upon admission to the Graduate Center, scholars can participate in events and courses on current and relevant topics concerning digitalisation. Scholars at the bidt Graduate Center have access to all bidt events and will benefit from an interdisciplinary exchange with other doctoral candidates as well as experts from science and society in networking events and working groups. Within this specialist community and beyond they can increase their visibility.

The Graduate Center for doctoral candidates is coordinated by the bidt.

In 2023, up to 25 doctoral researchers will be admitted to the bidt Graduate Center. In addition to accessing events and further training, applicants accepted into the bidt Graduate Center will receive a scholarship of €3,000 per year for a maximum of four years until the end of their doctoral project (providing that the necessary budgetary funds are granted by the legislator). After a successful application, admission prospectively starts on 1 May 2023.

All doctoral candidates pursuing a doctorate at a university sponsored by the Free State of Bavaria or at a higher education institution mainly refinanced and approved by the Free State of Bavaria can apply for funding. Female doctoral researchers are strongly encouraged to apply.

An application must include the following documents:

• Completed application form including a description of the dissertation project. The dissertation project should have a technical, economic or societal focus that is relevant to digitalisation and should be designed for a duration of up to four years. Information concerning how applicants should outline their project can be found in the application form.
• Curriculum vitae including certificates.
• Proof of an outstanding university degree or a comparable, stateapproved degree qualifying for a doctorate at a university.
• Letter by the supervisor confirming supervision and support for the application.

In addition, very good English is required as the lingua franca at the Graduate Center is English. Basic knowledge of German is also a prerequisite as well as interest in enhancing this skill.

Preferably, applicants will have interdisciplinary interests and preliminary experience in other fields of research.

We expect that the applicant participates actively in the course programme once admitted to the Graduate Center.

Doctoral candidates who are already funded or remunerated by the bidt in any other form cannot receive a scholarship. This may also apply when receiving other scholarships. Participation in activities and events of the Graduate Center is not affected.

Applications can be submitted using the application form provided above.

The complete application (application form with doctoral project, curriculum vitae and certificates, and letter of support) should be sent in a single PDF document (max. 7 MB) to young-talents@bidt.digital.

Funding will be based on the recommendations of an interdisciplinary select committee. The assessment is based on the scholar’s written application. The applicant’s professional qualifications, the academic quality of his or her research project and its relevance to aspects of digital transformation will determine the grounds for selection.

The bidt Graduate Center is for outstanding postdocs with a thematic focus on digitalisation and its interaction with society. Our goal is to support particularly well qualified young researchers in developing their research profile and qualifying them to remain in academia — especially to eventually pursue a tenure-track position, lead a junior research group or hold a comparable position. Excellent young researchers in their first or second year after their doctorate will be prioritised. Your research project should have a technical, economic or societal focus relevant to digitalisation.

Funding includes financing a position at a university with the opportunity to establish an independent research profile. Additionally, we promote networking and further qualifications within the area of digitalisation.

The Graduate Center for Postdocs is coordinated by the bidt.

The Bavarian State Ministry for Science and Art intends to admit up to ten postdocs to the Graduate Center in 2022. Funding includes personnel resources for the postdoc position with a maximum value of E14 TV-L as well as annual research funds of €15,000 each for a maximum of four years (providing that the necessary budgetary funds are granted by the legislator and an interim evaluation is approved). The university where the position is located must provide the necessary infrastructure and all other resources. In addition to participating in events and courses on current topics relevant to digitalisation, scholars admitted to the Graduate Center can also take part in training opportunities to enhance their career. Scholars at the bidt Graduate Center have access to all bidt events and can benefit from interdisciplinary exchange with other postdocs and doctoral students as well as experts from science and society in networking events and working groups. Within this specialist community and beyond they have the chance to increase their visibility.

Following a successful application, admission prospectively starts on 1 October 2022.

After two years of funding, the work’s progress will be reviewed in a report, and a decision made on whether funding should be continued.

We are looking for postdocs who are in their first or second year after their doctorate and are striving for an academic career. The (future) position of the applicant must be located at a university sponsored by the Free State of Bavaria or a higher education institution mainly refinanced and approved by the Free State of Bavaria.

An application must include the following documents:

• Completed application form including a statement as to whether the candidate is willing to take on a working group and to discuss his or her research with doctoral students and other postdocs.
• Five-page proposal describing the research project: The research project should have a technical, economic or societal focus that is relevant to digitalisation and should be designed for a duration of up to four years.
• Curriculum vitae including certificates.
• Proof of an outstanding doctorate or a comparable, state-approved degree or acceptance as a postdoctoral researcher.
• Letter of support by the relevant university at which the applicant’s position will be located. Existing employment is not a prerequisite for application.

In addition, very good English is required as the lingua franca at the Graduate Center is English. Basic knowledge of German is also a prerequisite as well as interest in enhancing this skill.

Preferably, applicants will have interdisciplinary interests and some experience in other fields of research.

Endorsements by third parties are not to be included in the application.

We expect that the applicant participates actively in the course programme once admitted to the Graduate Center.

Applications can be submitted using the application form provided above.

The complete application (application form with proposal of research project, curriculum vitae and certificates, and letter of support) should be sent in a single PDF document (max. 10 MB) to young-talents@bidt.digital.

The call for applications for 2022 is now closed.

The Bavarian State Ministry of Science and Art will decide on the funding allocation based on the recommendations of an independent, interdisciplinary commission of experts outside Bavaria. The assessment is based on the scholar’s written application. The applicant’s professional qualifications, the academic quality of his or her research project and its relevance to aspects of digital transformation will determine the grounds for selection.