Application

This site provides information to prospective doctoral researchers.

Prerequisites

 

Only applicants with one of the following degrees from a German university or from an international university officially acknowledged by the University of Stuttgart can be accepted to the International Doctoral Program Environment Water:

  1. 'Master of Science' degree (M.Sc.) in fields related to 'Environment Water'
  2. 'Diplom-Ingenieur' degree (Dipl.-Ing.) in Civil or Environmental Engineering Sciences'

In addition, applicants with certain qualifications can be admitted into the doctoral program after a preparatory phase. This includes:

  1. Applicants with top qualifications who hold Dipl., Dipl.-Ing., or M.Sc. degrees which are not sufficiently related to the field 'Environment Water' or not from a university acknowledged by the University of Stuttgart.
  2. Candidates with M.Sc., Dipl., or Dipl.-Ing. degrees and top qualifications who have not taken undergraduate or graduate courses sufficiently related to the major subjects of the program or equivalent in quality to courses of this University. These candidates fulfil the prerequisites for the program by undertaking preparatory work including examinations. The nature and extent of this preparatory work is individually determined for each candidate by the department's examination committee. The preparatory work is required prior to admission into the doctoral program and should not exceed one year.
  3. Applicants with top qualifications from a German university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) ('Dipl.-Ing. FH'-degrees) in fields related to 'Environment Water'. Candidates with top qualifications from German technical universities can be admitted via an evaluation procedure that assesses the individual's academic qualifications ('Eignungsfeststellungsverfahren'). In essentially all cases, preparatory work and additional examinations will be necessary to fulfil the requirements for admission to the program. The nature and extent of the preparatory work is individually determined for each candidate. Alternatively, the candidate has the option of completing one of the M.Sc.programs, e.g. WAREM or WASTE at the University of Stuttgart. For a list of all the international graduate programs at the University of Stuttgart click here.

Chinese applicants:
All Chinese applicants applying to the University of Stuttgart have to submit an APS certificate issued by the  "Akademische Prüfstelle für chinesische Studienbewerber (APS)".

Adequate knowledge of the English language is required for admission to the program. This prerequisite can be fulfilled through submitting either:

  • TOEFL test results indicating a minimum score of 213 points (computer-based testing).
  • TOEFL test results indicating a minimum score of 80 points (internet-based testing).
  • IELTS test results indicating an Academic Bandscore: 6.5
  • Cambridge ESOL CAE/CPE University of Cambride ESOL exams
  • Proof that the candidate's native language is English.
  • Medium of Instruction (MoI): Proof that the candidate has successfully completed a university course (e.g. B.Sc. or M.Sc.) taught in English.

Application Procedure

The International Doctoral Program “Environment Water” (ENWAT) of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Stuttgart, Germany, in collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) opens a call for max. 2  PhD positions for research in Environment Water. You can apply for one or more of the following projects. Each project involves high-quality research and state-of-the-art techniques and is supervised by excellent researchers.

Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Working Language: English
Start of the PhD: Oct, 01, 2025
Duration: 3 to 4 years
Awarded degree: Dr.-Ing. (Doctorate in Engineering)

Application deadline: Oct, 31, 2024

We are looking for highly motivated and talented students with a passion for science. Candidates must demonstrate an excellent performance in their previous academic education. Candidates from developing countries are encouraged to apply.

Requirements:

  • MSc (or an equivalent degree) relevant for the respective project. Applicants must have graduated from a min. 4-year study program with a comprehensive scientific thesis work in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Management, Environmental Engineering or a related field (this might be a Master's degree or an equivalent degree). The quality of the degrees (i.e. eligibility) will be checked by the University of Stuttgart on a case-by-case basis. At the time of application, generally no more than 6 years should have passed since the last degree was gained.
  • Excellent academic record, ambition to work in a dynamic international and interdisciplinary environment and to actively participate in the structured international doctoral program ENWAT.
  • Fluency in spoken and written English.
  • Only international (non-German) applicants can be accepted. At the time of application the candidate must not have been resident in Germany for more than the last 15 months.
  • The University of Stuttgart is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Required application materials (Applications with missing items will not be considered):

  • Resume/CV showing the applicant’s background, professional skills, a list of publications and oral and poster presentations as well as additional achievements (scholarships, awards etc.)
  • MSc, Dipl.-Ing. or equivalent degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Management, Environmental Engineering or related sciences
  • BSc in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Management, Environmental Engineering or related sciences

Copies of Certificates and Transcripts, including all undergraduate level certificates and university degrees. All documents, which are not in English or in German, must be accompanied by copies of a legally certified English translation (for the application we will accept copies; but please be aware, that originals or legally certified copies will be needed for the final phase. In case any differences between the copies and the originals show up, the application will be dismissed.)

Please make sure, that the copies of the transcripts show not only the grades but also explain the home grades' system (please add copy of the description of grade scale)

  • Unless native speaker: proficiency in English (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, etc.), or proof that M.Sc. and B.Sc. programs were held in English
  • 2 Reference letters from university professors from the applicants home university, issued during the last 2 years (please ask your referee to use the form in the next section 'Application forms' and send it directly to our e-mail address with your name in the header of the e-mail)
  • Motivation letter describing the applicant’s work experience and research goals (1 page). 

Applications are ONLY possible for one or more of the following projects. Each project involves high-quality research and state-of-the-art techniques and is supervised by excellent researchers.

Please click on the respective title to view the project descriptions

  1. Modelling and measuring density-driven hydraulic and reactive processes in karst systems
    Advisor: apl. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Class, Department of Hydromechanics and Modelling of Hydrosystems, Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems (IWS)

  2. Revolutionize Computational Hydraulics with Data-Driven Models and Video Engines Advisor: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Silke Wieprecht, Department of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems (IWS)

  3. Laboratory experiments to optimise habitat diversity by reintroducing wood in rivers
    Advisor: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Silke Wieprecht, Department of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems (IWS)
  4. Opportunistic Rainfall Data for Hydrological Modelling Advisor: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Nowak, Department of Stochastic Simulation and Safety Research for Hydrosystems (LS3), Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems (IWS)
  5. Deep Chaos ODE for Advanced Hydrological Modelling: Integrating Deep Learning and Polynomial Chaos into Data-Driven Hydrology Advisor: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Nowak, Department of Stochastic Simulation and Safety Research for Hydrosystems (LS3), Institute for Modelling Hydraulic and Environmental Systems (IWS)
  6. Identification of surfactant impacts on microbial glyphosate degraders in freshwater sediments
    Advisor: Prof. Dr. Sarah Kleindienst, Department  of Environmental Microbiology, Institute for Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management (ISWA)
  7. Understanding the seasonal variation of greenhouse gas production in wastewater treatment plants Advisor: Prof. Dr. Sarah Kleindienst, Department  of Environmental Microbiology, Institute for Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management (ISWA)

We offer a top-level research environment, a comprehensive educational and mentoring program, courses in cutting-edge methods and soft skills.

Please submit your complete application via  https://careers.uni-stuttgart.de/   (enter 'ENWAT' in the search job form).

From among the applicants, ENWAT will shortlist candidates for (Skype) interviews. The applicants who have been selected must further submit a completed application form with all supporting documents via the DAAD portal.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR APPLICANTS FROM

Syria, Iran, Cuba, North Korea:

The University of Stuttgart uses SAP software products for our recruitment and HR processes which are subject to the export control and sanctions laws of various countries, including without limitation, the laws of Germany, the European Union, and the United States of America.

Error GBB451 (Restricted use of Recruitment Software)

SAP products and services are not available for export, re-export, transfer and/or use in the following countries/regions (subject to change without notice): 

  • Crimea region / Sevastopol 
  • the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) / Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) 
  • Cuba 
  • Iran 
  • North Korea 
  • Syria 

If you try to apply from one of the countries mentioned above you will get the following message: 
We're Sorry...Error GBB451  Your login has been denied due to attempted access from a country or region in which this product or service is not available. Any attempt to circumvent this restriction may result in your account being permanently disabled. 

The University of Stuttgart does not want to refuse any candidate solely on the basis of their geographical location. As an equal-opportunity employer, we prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. If you encounter the error above, please contact ENWAT directly. We will gladly help you to continue your application.

If this is the case please send an e-mail with

  • the name of your country in the header and
  • the name of the project you want to apply for in the header
  • with all required documents in one pdf

 

 

Please give the following evaluation form and cover letter to your referees:

Additional information

ATTENTION: The International Doctoral Program ENWAT does not offer ANY financial assistance.

In case you get accepted into the program, you will have to apply for a scholarship - either from your home country or one of the German DAAD scholarships for doctoral researchers or any other suitable scholarship.

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