Our program, our philosophy, our promise
The Abbe School of Photonics (ASP) is strongly committed to the advancement of highly qualified students and their promotion to early-stage researchers. Our doctoral program strongly supports the development of individual science careers in optics and photonics, provides professional course opportunities and contributes to individual skills development. A broad academic education at the highest international level within a modern research environment provides a profound, up-to-date knowledge in a many fields - from fundamental sciences and laser physics to material sciences and life sciences. State-of-the-art laboratories offer optimum conditions for research at the frontiers of optics and photonics. One important cornerstone of our philosophy is to regard and value our doctoral candidates as scientists in all respects. The ASP offers an individually adjusted program to meet each candidate's scientific background and interests. This guarantees an optimal level of preparation for a high-profile career in research or industry.
Specialized photonics education units - individual for everybody
In addition to the regular courses which are part of the ASP program, a variety of special lectures and workshops is given by world-renowned guest professors. Our photonics makerspace at the Lichtwerkstatt Jena is always open for young people with creativity and some ideas. Moreover, Master's degree students (M.Sc.) and doctoral candidates benefit from the close collaboration between ASP and some of the world's leading companies in the field of optics and photonics, e.g. via our local cluster partner OptoNet Jena e.V., including, e.g. ZEISS, or JENOPTIK.
Photonics experts made in Jena
The roots for an exceptional scientific community specializing in optics and photonics in Jena were laid by breakthroughs provided by the work of Ernst Abbe in the late 19th century. Because of this unique historical background, numerous doctoral students throughout the past decades who have graduated from the Friedrich Schiller University were indispensable contributors to the advancement of knowledge in optics and photonics. Incorporating this rich tradition, the ASP doctoral program (comparable to a US PhD program) has become firmly institutionalized and continues to sustainably structure the education and networking of young student researchers in optics. The ASP doctoral program has been marked by a constantly growing number of doctoral students pursuing research topics in optics and photonics at the Friedrich Schiller University, reflecting the successful acquisition of numerous funding for light sciences research provided by scientists from the Abbe Center of Photonics.
Interdisciplinarity and transferable skills
Interdisciplinarity is an inherent part of our philosophy. ASP provides a variety of courses that help students acquire additional knowledge in complementary sciences, as well as essential transferablet skills, e.g. in project management, leadership and developing a scientific career. In addition, ASP students fully benefit from the large choice of skill courses offered by FSU Jena's Graduate Academy. Further, workshops and courses on the German language, intercultural competences, job application training and good scientific practice are specifically designed to accomodate our international students quickly to their new scientific and private environment in Jena.
Learn more about Doctoral Program, PhD - at Abbe School of Photonics
Visit course webpageRegular salary via working contract or scholarship.
All applications for the doctoral program in photonics must be done using the Abbe School of Photonics' Online Application System. Application procedure details and required documents are provided in the online application system.
Start dates for the doctoral program are individual for each student.
Unlike in other countries, higher academic education in Germany is for free.
Moreover, we offer a range of highly attractive financial scholarships to help covering our students' living expenses. As an applicant for our Master programs, you can apply for the following scholarships:
International students wishing to obtain the degree of M.Sc. Photonics or the M.Sc. Quantum Science & Technology at the Abbe School of Photonics can apply for one of our scholarships during the regular application procedure. These scholarships are based on criteria of academic excellence and are granted regularly for 12 months, and they comprise a stipend of currently 934 Euro per month (budget updated 2023) and additional German language courses. In very exceptional cases, also scholarships for up to two years are granted, those are then covering the entire two-year Master's degree. Approximately ten scholarships are currently available per year. German students are not eligible for this scholarship scheme. Scholarships can only be awarded to students who are physically in Jena and are studying on-campus, not online.
Another way to obtain a scholarship for a M.Sc. Photonics degree at the Abbe School of Photonics is via the Max Planck School of Photonics, which offers a Germany-wide photonics scholarship program. Its prestigious and well-funded scholarships are based on criteria of academic excellence and are granted for a period of 5 years, thus enabling our students to enter directly into the PhD phase after obtaining the two-year Master's degree. The Max Planck School of Photonics is offering scholarships that comprise a stipend of at least 1,565 Euro per month and additional German language courses. Up to seven scholarships are available per year. German students are also eligible for this program. To apply, please follow the instructions given at www.photonics.school and mark the Abbe School of Photonics at the University of Jena as your preferred destination.
All students who are either
may also apply for a Deutschlandstipendium. You may apply for this kind of scholarship at an early stage of your photonics studies, even from abroad. Awardees with prospects of excellent study results will receive financial support of 300 Euro per month for a duration of at least one year.
There are 3 other courses listed from Abbe School of Photonics. A selection of these are displayed below:
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