Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Graduate School Göttingen Graduate School of Terrestrial Ecosystems (GGTE) Funding Period 1. 11. 2007 – 31. 10. 2012 Graduate School Goettingen Graduate School of Terrestrial Ecosystems (GGTE) Georg-August-Universität Goettingen Funding Period 1.11.2007 – 31.10.2012 Proposal for the Establishment and Funding of the Graduate School Göttinger Graduiertenschule für Terrestrische Ökosysteme Goettingen Graduate School of Terrestrial Ecosystems (GGTE) Universität: Georg-August-Universität Goettingen President of the host university Coordinator of the graduate school Prof. Dr. Kurt von Figura Prof. Dr. Stefan Schütz Work address: Work address: Georg-August-Universität Goettingen Fakultät für Forstwissenschaften und Präsidium Waldökologie Wilhelmsplatz 1 Büsgenweg 3 37073 Goettingen 37077 Goettingen Phone: +49 551 - 39 4311 Phone: +49 551 – 39 3601 Fax: +49 551 – 39 4135 Fax: +49 551 – 39 2089 E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] goettingen.de Goettingen, April 2nd, 2007 Goettingen, April 2nd, 2007 Prof. Dr. Kurt von Figura Prof. Dr. Stefan Schütz Rector/ President Coordinator Contents 1 KEY DATA ...................................................................................................................1 1.1 Principal Investigators...................................................................................................1 1.2 Estimated number of participating doctoral candidates ................................................3 1.3 Brief summary/Zusammenfassung ...............................................................................3 2 ACADEMIC PROFILE..................................................................................................5 2.1 Academic aims .............................................................................................................5 2.1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 5 2.1.2 Research Areas covered by the graduate school and significant advances ............................. 6 2.1.3 Medium-term and long-term impact of GGTE on research activities ....................................... 16 2.1.4 Research and training strategy ................................................................................................ 16 2.1.5 Programmes in GGTE .............................................................................................................. 19 2.1.6 Long-term academic objectives................................................................................................ 26 2.2 Contribution to the university’s strategic planning ......................................................27 2.2.1 Doctoral education.................................................................................................................... 27 2.2.2 Fostering international relations ............................................................................................... 28 2.2.3 Fostering excellence in research.............................................................................................. 28 2.3 Partnerships and collaborations .................................................................................29 3 RESEARCH TRAINING, SUPERVISION AND CONDITIONS OF THE DOCTORATE...............................................................................................31 3.1 Admission and formal requirements for the doctorate ................................................31 3.1.1 Requirements ........................................................................................................................... 31 3.1.2 Examinations ............................................................................................................................ 31 3.1.3 Degrees .................................................................................................................................... 33 3.2 Research training........................................................................................................34 3.2.1 Objectives of the doctoral training programme......................................................................... 34 3.2.2 Measures for qualification......................................................................................................... 35 3.2.3 Teaching staff ........................................................................................................................... 39 3.2.4 Interface to undergraduate studies and postdoctoral qualification........................................... 40 3.2.5 Role of students, individual training programme and time-frames........................................... 41 3.2.6 The role of non-university cooperating partners....................................................................... 42 3.3 Supervision and mentoring .........................................................................................42 3.3.1 Supervision ............................................................................................................................... 42 3.3.2 Supervision and mentoring structure........................................................................................ 43 3.4 Other activities............................................................................................................45 4 STRUCTURE..............................................................................................................47 4.1 Organisation, management and resources.................................................................47 4.1.1 University schools..................................................................................................................... 47 4.1.2 GGTE: tasks and governance .................................................................................................. 47 4.1.3 PhD Programmes ..................................................................................................................... 49 4.1.4 Quality assurance..................................................................................................................... 52 4.1.5 Allocation of funds .................................................................................................................... 52 4.1.6 Cooperation and Interaction between scientists ...................................................................... 54 4.2 Premises.....................................................................................................................54 4.3 Doctoral candidates....................................................................................................55 4.3.1 Size of GGTE............................................................................................................................ 55 I 4.3.2 Recruitment strategy and process............................................................................................ 56 4.3.3 Resources................................................................................................................................. 57 4.3.4 Strategies to ensure a diverse, high quality student population............................................... 58 4.3.5 Integration of doctoral candidates into the research environment ........................................... 58 4.3.6 Status of students within the graduate school.......................................................................... 59 4.3.7 Funding of doctoral candidates ................................................................................................ 59 4.4 Staff ............................................................................................................................59 4.4.1 Current staff situation and expected development................................................................... 59 4.4.2 Measures to enable research staff to participate in research training ..................................... 61 4.4.3 New professorships and Independent Junior Research Groups ............................................. 61 4.5 External visibility and networking................................................................................61 4.5.1 Public outreach activities .......................................................................................................... 61 4.5.2 Integrating international doctoral candidates............................................................................ 62 4.5.3 Networking and collaboration ................................................................................................... 63 4.5.4 Special measures to integrate doctoral students into international academic community....... 65 4.6 Gender equality ..........................................................................................................65 5. OVERVIEW OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL’S RESOURCES..................................68 5.1 Requested funding......................................................................................................68 5.1.1 Staff Funding ............................................................................................................................ 68 5.1.2 Other direct expenses .............................................................................................................. 69 5.1.3 Instrumentation........................................................................................................................