BIGS Chemistry

Bonn International Graduate School of Chemistry (BIGS-Chemistry)

BIGS-Chemistry offers an internationally competitive Graduate Program that is designed for outstanding students who are eager to obtain a Ph.D. in Chemistry while performing cutting-edge research. Intense hands-on training in experiment and theory combined with early-on individual research creates a stimulating academic setting where students can develop into independent, creative, and successful scientists in all fields of Chemistry.

The academic profile of the faculty engaged in BIGS-Chemistry covers the following areas:
Inorganic Chemistry: Catalysis, Coordination Chemistry, Electron Microscopy, Main-Group Elements, Nano Materials, Organometallic Chemistry, Solid-State Chemistry, and Transition-metal Chemistry
Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry: Natural Products, Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry, New Methodologies in Synthesis, Organic Materials, Polymer Chemistry, Supramolecular Chemistry, and Sensors
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry: Single-Molecule Spectroscopy and Microscopy, Multi-Frequency Pulsed Electron Paramagnetic Resonance, Ultrafast Multidimensional Laser Spectroscopy, Laser Chemistry, Biophysics, Ab Initio Quantum Chemistry, Density Functional Theory, Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Dynamics in Liquids, Quantum-Chemical Modeling of Solids and Surfaces, Organic Thin Films and Semiconductors

Curriculum and Mentoring
Ph.D. students choose two supervisors from the Chemistry department’s faculty. While the research is conducted in the laboratories of the principal mentor, the dual mentorship principle serves to enhance the interdisciplinary character of the scientific education.

Ph.D. students are closely embedded into their principal mentor’s research group and are devoted almost exclusively to their own research. In parallel, to sharpen their academic profile, they conduct a week-long lab internship in another research group of the department, and they choose an optional pair of advanced method courses focusing for two days on a particular experimental and/or theoretical technique. In addition, the students are expected to regularly attend one of the many series of colloquia that are offered by the Chemistry department. Ph.D. students are further encouraged to present their research to a broader audience, e.g. on international conferences.

Funding and support
BIGS-Chemistry offers travel funds for conference visits and lab courses in working groups outside the University of Bonn.

Internationality
The teaching program is conducted in English and thus, international students are particularly encouraged to apply to BIGS-Chemistry. The faculty members of the Graduate School are engaged in numerous collaborations with their scientific colleagues from around the world. Ph.D. students from our international partners frequently visit the Chemistry department where they are granted full access to all events related to the Graduate school. Likewise, Ph.D. students from BIGS-Chemistry have ample opportunities for short-term visits to the partner laboratories. Interested candidates need to contact their principal mentor for all aspects related to the organization and funding of the visit.

General Information

In order to apply for a membership in BIGS Chemistry at the PhD level, prior acceptance as PhD student in one of the research groups at the Department of Chemistry is mandatory. Please send your relevant documents directly to the group that seems closest to your research interest. For a list of our research groups please visit the websites of our departments.

Application at the PhD level

Conditions for an application at the PhD level are:

Admission to doctoral studies
Completed Master’s degree in a mathematical/natural science subject with a final grade of 2.0 or better
English language skills on the reference level of B2 for foreign applicants
The applicants should have obtained their master’s degree within the last year.
 

The following documents are required for an application at the PhD level (BIGS Application checklist):

1.)  Bachelor of Science certificate including transcript of records

2.)  Master of Science certificate including transcript of records.

3.)  Summary of the Master of Science Thesis and a copy of the Master of Science thesis (the latter in electronic form)

4.)  Title of the PhD project, name of the supervisor, name of the second mentor, short summary of the project including brief list of references
(not more than 2 pages   combined)

5.)  Letter of evaluation by the PhD supervisor

6.)  Letter of motivation

7.)  Tabular curriculum vitae

8.)  Certificate confirming proficiency in English (B2 level English practice test, not necessary with German Abitur)

The documents should be sent as pdf-file via e-mail to the BIGS Chemistry office: bigschem@uni-bonn.deor via mail to the BIGS Chemistry office

BIGS Chemistry
Ulrike Blank
Kekulé-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie
Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 1
53121 Bonn
Germany

Deadline for the application is January 2nd for an acceptance in the same year.

Additional information on the application can be obtained from the prospective PhD supervisors.

The selection committee will decide on the applications in February and the applicants will be informed on the outcome of their application in due course after the decision.

Frequently asked questions

 I missed the deadline for the application. Can I still apply again at a later point in time?
No. 

On the BIGS homepage it says that prior acceptance as PhD student is mandatory to apply for the BIGS. Is a supervision agreement sufficient or do I need the formal confirmation from the deanery?
A letter of evaluation from your supervisor (group leader) is part of your application. This shows your membership in the working group. 
Is there any deadline for the annual meeting with the supervisor and the co-supervisor?
The first annual meeting should take place before the end of May. 
Are there any formal requirements regarding the progress report?
This item should be specified with the respective mentors in each case.
Do I have to submit the progress report to the officials of the BIGS?
Yes. 
Can I choose any group of the department for the lab course?
Yes.
Do the Promotion plus (as opposed to Promotion plusBIGS) courses also count as ‘method course’?
Yes. 
I forgot to let my attendance of a lecture be confirmed by the organizer. Can my first supervisor also confirm my attendance?
No. Please contact the organizer. 
When do I have to submit the program form for the summer/winter term?
The forms for the summer term have to be submitted at the end of the summer term (September), and the ones for the winter term at the end of the winter term (March).
The form “Courses and Meeting” has to be submitted at the end of your PhD studies or even earlier when completed. 
Are public seminars organized by more than one working group also part of the official program even though they are not organized by the whole Institute?
Those seminars can count as lectures if they are held by external speakers. 
Where can I download the ‘Ordnung der BIGS‘?
Click here. 
I missed one or more duties in the prescribed period. What can I do?
Please contact the BIGS Chemistry office.

Ulrike Blank
Kekulé-Institut für Organische Chemie und Biochemie
Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 1
53121 Bonn

bigschem@uni-bonn.de
+49 228 733495