PhD

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science awards the academic degree of Dr. rer. nat. (doctor rerum naturalium / Doktor der Naturwissenschaften / = PhD in natural sciences) according to departmental guidelines and regulations. The PhD provides a special scientific qualification exceeding the regular university degree. This is achieved by profound research work which includes a scientific thesis (dissertation) and an examination colloquium (disputation) in the PhD field of Mathematics and Computer Science. The PhD concludes either a student’s postgraduate studies (Aufbaustudium) or PhD studies (Promotionsstudium).

On 1 December 2021 new PhD regulations entered into force. They differ from the former PhD regulations in the following points:

• Candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree in one of the PhD relevant subjects can be admitted to PhD proceedings after passing a “Feststellungsprüfung” (entrance examination) in their area of specialisation and the adjoining subjects.
• Restrictions concerning the subject of the oral examination have been lifted.
• Doctoral candidates/Postgraduates who are neither registered students nor employees at the Freie Universität Berlin need to enrol here as PhD students.
• A PhD can be obtained in cooperation with foreign universities.
• a publication-based dissertation is now possible 

Vacant positions of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science are usually announced in the FU Stellenanzeiger (for positions offered in German) or in Job Offers (for positions offered in English).

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Postdoc / Habilitation
= postdoctoral university degree with lecture qualification

The Habilitation (postdoctoral university degree with lecture qualification) provides the qualification for scientific teaching at universities (=Lehrbefähigung) in the chosen subject (=Habilitationsfach). Possible subjects at this faculty are mathematics or computer science. Demands on candidates are:

1. The submission of either an all-embracing monograph (Habilitationsschrift) which must be a significant scientific contribution exceeding the standards of a dissertation, or a publication of one’s latest research results which represents an equivalent to the above “Habilitationsschrift”.
2. A public lecture in the chosen subject, followed by a scientific discussion.
3. Documented lecturing activity (Lehrtätigkeit) at a scientific university in a subject relevant for the postdoctoral university degree.

Habilitation procedures follow the Habilitation Regulations of 4 October 1999.