Information concerning the application:

• For the preconditions for admission (among others the proof of sufficient English language skills) and further information about the application for this PhD programme please read the Application regulation ("Zugangsordnung").
• For further questions please contact your prospective PhD supervisor.

Application step by step:

1. Search for two professors as supervisors and discuss your doctoral project with them.
• Protocol form aptitude interview [internal] ("Protokollbogen Eignungsgespräch" [intern])
• Protocol form aptitude interview [external] ("Protokollbogen Eignungsgespräch" [extern])

2. Fill in the GAUSS admission application form. The link to the application form can be found in the section "Admission package" on this GAUSS website.
(Enrolment in GAUSS is a compulsory part of the doctoral studies.)

3. Hand in the completed application, signed by all relevant persons, together with the following documents to the Dean's Office (Ms. Sandra Beckmann, Goldschmidstr. 3, 37077 Göttingen, EG, Room 16, Lageplan):

• Degree certificates in English or German / translation in single copy or indication of achievements to date (credits / grade point average).
  A certified copy of the documents must be submitted or the originals presented before enrolment.
• a curriculum vitae written in English, which also provides information about the scientific career.
• proof of sufficient (English) language skills by means of an internationally recognised test or equivalent performance.
• suitable documents to prove additional achievements (publications, internships, professional experience, teaching activities), which demonstrate the special suitability for the doctoral programme; in the case of already existing publications, simple copies of the publications.
• a doctoral candidate declaration ["Promovierenden-Erklärung"] (will be generated with the GAUSS application for admission)
• a description of the research project

The PhD examination in mathematics consists of:

• a written exam (dissertation thesis) and
• an oral exam (disputation).

It is carried out referring to the GAUSS PhD regulations ["RerNat-O"] of 2018--01. Your thesis and accompanying documents have to be submitted electronically via Göttingen University's Lucom system. We kindly request that you inform the dean´s office at least 6-7 weeks in advance that you intend to submit your dissertation and apply for admission to the oral doctoral examination (disputation). You will receive detailed information regarding the process, what kind of documents will be required and how to ultimately be admitted to your disputation. All relevant information can also be found on the GAUSS homepage. For further information, please carefully study the checklist "Countdown to doctoral degree" provided by GAUSS.

The PhD programme Geoscience is based on three research foci of the faculty. These are:

1. Coupled processes between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere
   This research focus examines geological, mineralogical, crystallographic and biological processes in the formation of minerals and rocks. Interactions at different geological and biological interfaces are investigated. At these interfaces mass transfer processes take place, beginning in the low-thermal region and extending to the upper temperature limit for life (110-120°C).
2. Dynamics and transport processes of the lithospher
   This priority focuses on the fundamental processes that control the dynamics of the lithosphere and the design of the earth's surface. The extent and nature of volcanic eruptions are determined by the physical properties of melts and their chemical evolution in the magma reservoir. The geochemical composition, isotopic tracers and the physical properties of the magmas are examined analytically and experimentally. They make it possible to reconstruct the origin, depth and activity of magma chambers.
3. Coupled processes in georeservoirs
   The development of geological reservoirs in the earth's crust (georeservoirs) for applications beyond hydrocarbon extraction has been intensified worldwide over the past decades. For example, the use of geothermal energy as a renewable, base-load energy source or the storage of gases and energy in geological formations are of growing economic and societal importance.

By participating in a number of externally funded projects, doctoral candidates learn to perform independent scientific work. Through active participation in the scientific affairs of the faculty or the Geoscience Centre, students acquire knowledge and skills that go beyond a curricular programme of study.