phd uni hohenheim

The Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences offers qualified graduates the opportunity to pursue a doctorate. The doctoral examination consists of a scientific paper (dissertation) and an oral examination (disputation or colloquium).

A doctorate serves as proof of in-depth knowledge and the ability to do outstanding scientific work. It is the benchmark for an academic career and promotes professional opportunities. Intensive research on socially relevant topics forms the focus of a doctorate in the field of Business, Economics and Social Sciences at the University of Hohenheim. Extensive professional supervision of our doctoral students and the offer of structured scientific training lay the foundation for a successful doctorate at an excellent level. This is our responsibility and our claim.

The University of Hohenheim awards the following academic degrees in the faculty:

• Doctor of Economic Sciences (Dr. oec.)
• Doctor of Social Sciences (Dr. rer. soc.)

In general, a doctoral project can be carried out either as an individual doctorate or within the framework of a structured doctoral study program.

The Dissertation - Innovative Research on Relevant Topics

The dissertation is the core of the doctorate. It is closely integrated into the research and subject areas of the professors in our departments. If you are interested in a doctorate in our faculty, get an overview of which subject area comes closest to your research interests and professional qualifications.

to the departments

First Steps towards Your Doctorate

After searching and identifying a suitable department get in touch with a potential supervisor. For contacting a potential supervisor and for a later personal talk regarding a confirmation of supervision, we recommend that you enclose a detailed curriculum vitae with a description of the relevant contents of your studies and a description of your doctoral project that is as precise as possible. A doctorate can be pursued either as an external doctoral candidate or as a research assistant in one of the departments. Please inform yourself about these possibilities in your personal talk and/or through the Graduate Academy.

to the general information on doctorates

The Doctoral Study Program in Business, Economics and Social Sciences

The Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences offers a structured doctoral study program "Business, Economics and Social Sciences" (until 31.08.2023 "Business Administration and Economics"). The doctoral study program complements  the individual doctorate with subject and methodological knowledge. The networking with other doctoral candidates and the exchange beyond one's own doctoral project are further advantages of the program. Participation in the doctoral study program is possible even before admission as a doctoral candidate at the faculty.

Upon passing the required examinations, the university will award a certificate of successful participation in the doctoral study program after successful completion of the doctorate. Besides, graduates may request to receive the international academic degree "Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)" instead of a doctoral degree from the faculty.

to the doctoral study program "Business, Economics and Social Sciences"

The Graduate Academy Hohenheim

The Graduate Academy administers the doctoral procedures at the University of Hohenheim and advises prospective and current doctoral candidates. It is responsible for supervision and quality assurance at the interdisciplinary level and and thus stands for the uniformity and transparency of university-wide standards in doctoral studies and thus stands for the uniformity and transparency of university-wide standards in the doctoral system.

  to the Graduate Academy

The Doctorate Portal of the University of Hohenheim

You would like to apply apply for acceptance as a doctoral candidate at the University of Hohenheim? With the doctorate portal Docata, the three faculties offer a joint digital platform to centrally register and manage doctoral proceedings.

  to the doctorate portal

PhD Programme

The Department of Economics offers students with strong research skills the opportunity to continue their academic work within the framework of a doctoral programme after their Master's degree. The young researchers are supervised by faculty members. Courses as well as research and doctoral seminars promote exchange with other doctoral students and establish contacts to non-Hohenheim researchers.

Study programme for doctoral students

Research Seminar in Economics

In the research seminar, researchers from other universities present their current research. It is organized as a Lecture Series " Research Seminar in Economics " and integral part of the Research Training Group Economics . Interested students are cordially invited to attend, too.

The seminar takes place in presence, HS 35 (Kavaliershaus), 12:00pm. Current Schedule

Brown-Bag Seminar

In the brown bag seminar, doctoral students from the University of Hohenheim present their ongoing work and get feedback from other junior researchers and faculty members.

The brown bag seminar will take place as a block seminar on June 12 and 13 outside of campus (with one overnight stay). Immediately after the presentation, each presenter who wishes so will receive individual feedback on the presentation slides by the course coordinators. Further information is avaible here .

Term: Summer

Here you can find detailed information about our doctoral study program in Economics.

Welcome to our International PhD Program "Agricultural Economics, Bioeconomy and Sustainable Food Systems" (IPPAE)

We are delighted to introduce you to our PhD program, which is especially designed for students of developing countries in Africa, Asia or Latin America who are interested to pursue a PhD in the fields of agricultural economics, bioeconomy and sustainable food systems. IPPAE is financed by the  German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)  and offers excellent opportunities to pursue a PhD at the University of Hohenheim, one of Europe's leading universities in the field of agricultural sciences.

The goal of IPPAE is to train outstanding candidates in academic research, teaching, international policy and institutional management. Our alumni occupy leading positions in academia, public administration, business and non-governmental organizations in their home countries. This is the best proof of the opportunities that IPPAE offers to you. Please explore our website for further information:

• What does IPPAE offer you?
• Program overview
• Who can apply?
• How to apply?

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Doctorates in Natural Sciences

As of the summer semester 2015, the Faculty of Natural Sciences offers a structured doctoral study program for its doctoral students. Within the standard period of study of three years, the doctoral candidates complete modules totaling 30 credits while working on their dissertation. After successful completion of the doctoral study program and the doctoral degree, the doctoral candidates will receive a certificate of their participation in the doctoral study program. This will include information about the completed modules as well as the title and grade of the dissertation.

More information about the individual modules can be found in the module catalog .

Two research training groups are offered: “Natural Sciences” and "Biodiversity in Changing Times”. The latter research training group is offered in cooperation with the Stuttgart Museum of Natural Science. During the standard period of study of three years, at least four modules totaling 30 credits are completed. The study content of each module comes from one of the following categories:

• Scientific working methods
• Specialized in-depth module
• Elective module (at Master's level) that has a content-related connection to the doctoral topic or attending a summer school
• Attendance at a national/international conference where results from the doctoral program are presented, involvement in teaching

The dissertation and oral examination are equivalent to 150 credits.

(Bettina Staacke, doctoral candidate in Chemistry)

"A doctorate at Hohenheim means: excellent support, up-to-date laboratories, and a family atmosphere."

Thomas Smylla (Post-Doc, Dept. Biosensorics)

"By providing interdisciplinary knowledge, the doctoral degree program complements the focus on the doctorate project through extensive comprehension and improved placement of the thesis topic within the scientific field."

Aylin Güney (former doctoral student, Institute of Botany)

"Particularly for my application as a post-doc abroad, the additional qualifications acquired during the studies for the doctoral degree program and documented in the therefore issued record are of great advantage."

The goal of the doctoral study program is to assist doctoral candidates in the Faculty of Natural Sciences in preparing their dissertation in a structured manner as they work toward a “Doctor of Natural Sciences (Dr. rer. nat.).” It also aims to convey in-depth knowledge, skills, and methods in the subject area at the cutting edge of natural science research and scientific working methods.

Reasons to Choose Hohenheim

• The University of Hohenheim is a university with a long tradition .
• You can expect individually tailored supervision and a wide variety of specialized lectures and research opportunities.
• Research and teaching offer attractive opportunities for both students and doctoral candidates.
• The campus infrastructure offers short distances between lecture halls, canteen, libraries and sport facilities.

Additional information

All about the doctoral study program

• Faculty of Natural Sciences
• Completing a doctorate at the Faculty of Natural Sciences
• Doctoral study program

Accommodation

If you choose to study in Hohenheim, you will have to look for a room or an apartment in the region. We can help you with this. more

Costs and Financing

Semester fees, rent, costs of living - How much will studying cost you and how can you finance it? We have collected the most important information. more

Application

Contact person.

Valeska Beck (M.A.) +49 711 459 23559 E-Mail

Study program and examination regulations Reading version of the doctoral degree regulations Doctoral degree regulations First amendment to the doctoral degree regulations

Information on applying

PhD Students

• Ezgi Ari Innovation Economics
• Melissa Bantle Microeconomics: Industrial Economics
• Marius Boesino Bioeconomy
• Yvette Bodry International Economics
• Franziska Brall Labour and Service Economics
• Katrin Buchali Microeconomics: Industrial Economics
• Giuseppe Cappellari Public Economics
• Amelia Espey Bioeconomy
• Matthias Fauth International Economics
• Domenic Franjic Econometrics and Statistics
• Jens Grueb , Microeconomics: Industrial Economics
• In Woo Kim Environmental Economics
• Julius Kraft Monetary and International Macroeconomics
• Alice Krause Labour and Service Economics
• Victoria Krautter Monetary and International Macroeconomics

• Stephanie Lang Innovation Economics
• Markus Moessler Econometrics and Statistics
• Matthias Muijs Microeconomics: Industrial Economics
• Pranav Patil Bioeconomy
• Marius Puke Econometrics and Statistics
• Alina Rossa Bioeconomy
• Tim Ruberg Econometrics and Empirical Economics
• Sascha Satlukal Econometrics and Empirical Economics
• Julia Schmid Public Economics
• Ramona Schmid Labour and Service Economics
• Lea Stoeber Innovation Economics
• Jasmin Vietz Public Economics
• Yasmina Wardere Economic, Social and Agricultural History
• Lea Weiz Public Economics

Research training group

Biodiversity through time.

The PhD program "Biodiversity through time" is dedicated to the extensive analysis of biodiversity - from the assessment of its current state to the prognosis of its future development. It investigates the factors responsible for temporal and spatial biodiversity change and trains experts in taxonomy, ecology and evolution. In this way, the PhD program makes a direct contribution to slowing down the currently serious extinction of species and to preserving key ecosystem services for future generations. Like KomBioTa as a whole, the PhD program is the result of the close cooperation between the University of Hohenheim and the State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart (SMNS). This promotes joint approaches between individual working groups of the two partners, increases joint research performance and enhances the training of young scientists. The doctoral program is based on the doctoral regulations of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Hohenheim. This ensures that each doctoral student is guided by at least two to three supervisors from the SMNS and the University of Hohenheim in the planning and execution of their research work. The central part of the training begins with the writing of a research exposé, which supports the candidates in structuring their work from the beginning and driving it forward in a focused manner. Optimal conditions for further training are also provided beyond the candidate's own research work. For this purpose, joint seminars of the SMNS and the University as well as a comprehensive range of events for the acquisition of key qualifications are currently already available to the doctoral candidates. The establishment of summer schools and workshops at the SMNS, which is planned in cooperation with European partners, will provide PhD students with additional excellent opportunities for further education and networking. The scientific work of KomBioTa deals with the analysis of the state of biodiversity, the investigation of essential factors responsible for the temporal and spatial change of biodiversity, and the preparation of forecasts for future development. Ongoing doctoral theses and their topics in the PhD program can be found on the News pages of the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Do you want to join?

The graduate course is open to all doctoral candidates for the Dr. rer. nat. degree at the University of Hohenheim.

You can apply for a graduate scholarship from the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts (MWK) Baden-Württemberg

For further funding options contact the  graduate academy.

Departments and Professors

Information for Incomings

Semester Packages for Exchange Students

Faculty management and organisation

Info on the management and administration of our faculty. Here you will find the current meetings of our boards and commissions.

Institutes & Departments

The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences is organized into 11 institutes with 49 professors.

Short-term scholarships for PhD students

• South-North
• South-South
• North-South

Description

The scholarship includes.

For research collaboration, each successful applicant will work with the research staff of the relevant institute of the University of Hohenheim to conduct a specific research project contributing to the mission of FSC and relevant for her/his PhD thesis. Funding for research is expected to be provided by the applicant’s and/or supervisor’s institute and/or other organizations.

The objective of the research collaboration is

 successful applicants are expected.

The scholarships start from November to December 2017 depending on the preference of the supervisors. Please refer to the research topics section to see the exact date in written the provided PDFs. 

Selection Criteria

The applicant must provide proof of, futhermore, the applicant must, research topics.

No topic is available at the moment!

Application

Before starting the online application procedure, please download the following checklist/guideline and collect the documents listed there. Please use the templates available for download below and be informed that all application documents must be submitted in English.

  Checklist/Guideline

• Template for the abstract of PhD Thesis
• Template for the abstract of Master/Diploma Thesis
• Template for the PhD research proposal
• Template for the recommendation Letter

 Please note!

Successful applicants will receive a scholarship for conducting PhD thesis-related research and hence adding value to the PhD thesis and contributing to the mission of FSC.

For research collaboration, each successful candidate will work with the research staff of one of FSC’s partner universities or another research center or development organization located in a developing country (e.g., one of the centers of the CGIAR) to conduct a specific research project contributing to the mission of FSC and relevant to her/his PhD thesis. Interregional South-South collaborations (e.g., from Africa to Latin America, or from Latin America to Asia) are encouraged in particular. Funding for research is expected to be provided by the applicant’s and/or supervisor’s institute and/or other organizations.

Successful applicants are expected

                                                     Currently no topic is available

Please read the following text carefully!

First of all, before clicking on the button “Online application" and starting the application procedure, please download the following checklist/guideline and collect the documents listed there. Please use the templates available for download below and be aware that all application documents must be submitted in English.

• Checklist/Guideline
• Abstract of Master/Diploma Thesis
• Abstract of PhD Thesis
• PhD Research Proposal
• Recommendation Letter 1
• Recommendation Letter 2

Please note!

It is not possible to apply for this scholarship at the moment

For research collaboration, each successful applicant will work with the research staff of one of FSC’s partner universities or another research center or development organization located in a developing country (e.g., one of the centers of the CGIAR) to conduct a specific research project contributing to the mission of FSC and relevant to her/his PhD thesis. Funding for research is expected to be provided by the applicant’s and/or supervisor’s institute and/or other organizations.

13 positions for doctoral researchers (PhD students), 1 postdoc position (all genders welcome)   [01.02.24]

1. Genetic potential of maize:

-         RS 1.1 Dissecting the genetic architecture of phosphorus-use efficiency in maize (Prof. Dr. Tobias Würschum)

-         RS 1.2 Loss of key repressors of the N and P-acquisition improves maize yield under low nutrient supply (Prof. Dr. Uwe Ludewig)

-         RS 1.3 Integrative "Omics" analysis of carbohydrate metabolism and transport in response to low phosphate supply (Prof. Dr. Waltraud Schulze)

2. Management at field and farm level:

-         RS 2.1 Genotype to phenotype modelling for locally adapted P-efficient maize ideosystems (Prof. Dr. Simone Graeff-Hönninger)

-         RS 2.2 Closing phosphate cycles at the regional level with innovative fertilization strategies including recycling fertilizers – pot and field trials, long-term scenarios (Prof. Dr. Torsten Müller)

-         RS 2.3 Detecting P status of maize through machine learning based on 3D imaging at the field scale (Prof. Dr. Joachim Müller)

-         RS 2.4 Uptake and allocation of heavy metals from P-fertilizers along the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum (Jun.-Prof. Dr. Andreas Schweiger)

3. Nutrition and recovery:

-         RS 3.1 Atherogenic properties of fresh and stored foods from maize grown under different P-availability conditions (Prof. Dr. Jan Frank)

-         RS 3.2 Relevance of phytate-P and phytase content in pig microbiome functionality and host interaction (Prof. Dr. Amélia Camarinha Silva)

-         RS 3.3 Energetic and chemical optimization of a laboratory system for P recovery in mid to small-sized farms (Dr. Hans Oechsner & Prof. Dr. Joachim Müller)

-         RS 3.4 Phosphate recovery by hydrothermal carbonization: process simulation and scale-up (Prof. Dr. Andrea Kruse)

4. Economic evaluation and synthesis:

-         RS 4.1 Assessment of ecosystem services of novel and innovative P-efficient maize based food-feed-energy systems with a modelling approach (Prof. Dr. Enno Bahrs)

-         RS 4.2 (Postdoc) Upscaling: P-flows in German agricultural production chains – Scenario modelling using the NUFER model. The postdoc position includes the coordination of central field experiments and spectral soil analysis (Prof. Dr. Torsten Müller)

-         RS 4.3 Assessing the implications of future P-availability for global agri-food markets using a Computable General Equilibrium modelling approach (Dr. Kirsten Boysen-Urban)

Detailed information about the Sino-German International Research Training Group AMAIZE-P and the single research subjects (RS) may be found on the project website: https://amaize-p.uni-hohenheim.de

The project requires extended research stays in China of up to three months per year. With equal qualifications, preference will be given to candidates with disabilities. The University of Hohenheim seeks to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching, therefore strongly encouraging female researchers to apply.

Applications in English language indicating a preference for one or a maximum of two of the topics mentioned above, letter of motivation, CV, copies of certificates, and proof of very good English language skills (corresponding to TOEFL ibt 90 or IELTS grade 6.5) are expected to be sent via e-mail as one entire pdf document by May 01, 2024, 24:00 h CEST (22:00 h UTC) to the coordinator (German side) of the Sino-German International Research Training Group:

Dr. Marco Roelcke, University of Hohenheim (763), 70593 Stuttgart, Germany Phone: +49 711 45923984, e-mail: [email protected]

Back to News

Prof. Axel Lorentz, PhD, Associate Professor

Group leader.

T +49 711 459 24391

F +49 711 459 24343

E [email protected]

Research group

Main research areas / research project.

• Regulation of mast cells, effector cells of allergy
• Mast cells, inflammation and neurodegenerative disease
• Food components as potential "nutraceuticals"
• Role of the biological clock in immune cells
• Role of microbiota in experimental colitis

GIF (GIF I-1469-414.13/2018) Exploring the role of mitochondrial components in mast cell signalling

UHOH FZG Investigating the role of gut microbiota in the development, severity, or remission of intestinal inflammation

Amryt Effect of triterpene extract from birch bark (TE) on human macrophages

Publications

go to publication list on

Ready to shape the future?

Then work on your master's degree at the university of hohenheim.

Our and Master's degree programs make you fit for the social, ecological, and economic challenges of our time. With around 28 Master's degree programs in the areas of agricultural sciences, natural sciences, business, economics, and social sciences, there is sure to be something for you. 

Degree programs | Advising | Campus life | Applying

Discover our Master's programs!

Our unique range of courses includes the fields of agricultural sciences, natural sciences, business, economics, and social sciences.

You can study the following Master's programs with us:

Get to know us!

Find out more about the University of Hohenheim, our degree programs, and the application process at our Master’s informational events. Every spring we offer multiple dates. At these events, you can learn exactly what to expect in the degree program of your choice and get answers to your questions.

Find the event dates

Let us advise you!

The Student Counselling Center is here for you - via WhatsApp, email, telephone, or in an on-site consultation! With us you will get the advice you need to make informed decisions.

Contact the Student Counselling Center

Why Hohenheim? This is why!

Besides innovative teaching and a beautiful green campus, you can expect an international network, excellent research, a personal atmosphere, and an economically strong location in the Stuttgart region.

More good reasons for studying in Hohenheim

Apply for a Master’s program!

Find out about the admission requirements, deadlines, and required documents for your desired degree program and then apply online using our HohCampus application portal .

Get information about applying

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Student Counselling Center

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PhD dissertations

List of dissertations (since 2002) organized by thematic group.

Group I             Group II             Group III             Group IIII

Thematic Group I: Plant Production and Landscape Ecology