Doctoral Program (PhD)

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.