Needs for Novel Doctoral Training Strategies

The leading graduate schools that specifically focus on optics and photonics are mainly located in the U.S. (e.g., CREOL, Orlando, Florida; Rochester, New York; Tucson, Arizona) and have developed into world renowned centers for science and technology. Importantly, the optics and photonics research at these institutions is complemented by corresponding undergraduate and graduate education programs. In this respect there is need of a new educational approach in Germany.

Hence, the KSOP has developed and implemented a Ph.D. program in the area of “Optics & Photonics”. The candidates who are accepted as Ph. D. students within KSOP are not only part of an excellent research environment but are also trained in a well balanced and structured manner. While the main focus of the Ph.D. training lies on the graduate student research work, the KSOP is convinced that additional elements in the doctoral training are needed to reach the optimum academic success and to develop leadership capabilities.

The scientific success and/or an industrial career not only depend on well-developed technical skills and knowledge, but also on several other factors, which are insufficiently considered in existing Ph.D. programs. Scientific excellence and technical achievements in the field of the candidate’s thesis form the basis for any Ph.D. degree. Successful careers in industry or academia, however, often require additional leadership and management skills and/or interdisciplinary knowledge. Depending on the candidate’s orientation, we provide a specific modular Ph.D. training program which comprises units from a catalogue of technical, scientific as well as management modules. Regarding the latter, we benefit from the HECTOR School of Engineering and Management which provides corresponding modules.