In a thrilling opportunity for aspiring doctoral candidates passionate about sustainable materials and cross-disciplinary innovation, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the University of Stuttgart have announced 9 fully funded PhD positions through the prestigious German Research Council (DFG)-funded Research Training Group (RTG) 3076 “Sustainable Hydrogels: From Chemical Structures to Applicability (SusGel)”.
About the Program – SusGel RTG
This pioneering program is focused on replacing synthetic polymers with sustainable polysaccharides from renewable sources like land plants and algae—an exciting step toward building an environmentally conscious society. But it’s not just about green science—it’s a highly interdisciplinary training platform with cutting-edge research spanning:
- Polysaccharide Chemistry
- Advanced Analytics
- Physical & Statistical Modelling
- Bio and Food Process Engineering
You’ll collaborate across top research institutes including:
- Institute for Applied Biosciences (IAB)
- Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry (ITCP)
- Institute for Technical Thermodynamics and Refrigeration (ITTK)
- Institute of Process Engineering in Life Sciences (BLT-MAB & BLT-LVT)
- Institute for Mechanical Process Engineering and Mechanics (MVM).
What Makes This PhD Unique?
This is not your typical PhD. Students will be enrolled in a structured doctoral program offering:
- Interdisciplinary mentorship by two (02) professors
- Workshops and training in personal and scientific development
- National and international conference participation
- Optional research stays abroad
- A vibrant academic environment in state-of-the-art labs.
Who Should Apply?
If you have or are completing a Master’s degree in:
- Food Chemistry
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Bio- or Chemical Engineering
- … and you’re skilled in any of the following:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Carbohydrates or enzymes
- Spectroscopy or simulations
- Material science, 3D-printing, or formulation technologies… then this program is for you!
Additional Qualities Sought:
- Strong communication skills
- English proficiency
- Interdisciplinary curiosity
- Open-mindedness and teamwork
- Creativity and problem-solving capabilities.
What You’ll Get?
- Full salary under EG 13 TV-L (DFG regulations apply)
- Fixed-term contract of up to 48 months
- Flexible work hours and work-from-home options
- Subsidized transportation (EUR 25/month Job Ticket BW)
- On-campus childcare and sports/recreation services
- Amazing meals at campus canteens.
Start Date: October 1, 2025
Location: Karlsruhe & Stuttgart, Germany.
Apply: https://www.pse.kit.edu/english/karriere/joboffer.php?id=165053.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the RTG SusGel Doctoral Scholarship Program offered jointly by KIT and the University of Stuttgart is May 25, 2025.