Structured Ph.D. Programme

1. An above-average degree in law (or a related social science discipline).

Applicants are required to have completed a Master's degree or equivalent (magister, diploma, state examination, etc.) with above-average results (at least "good", i.e. better than 2.6 or, in the case of the first state law examination, at least "satisfactory").

Applicants with foreign university degrees are strongly advised to provide a certificate of equivalence. Otherwise, the equivalence of the degree is determined according to the respective guidelines issued by the Central Office for Foreign Education at the Permanent Secretariat of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (www.anabin.de).

2. A strong interest in and first professional points of contact regarding questions of contextualisation of law in times of transformations and disruptions.

3. A clear concept for a Ph.D. project in this subject area.

4. Fulfillment of the general admission requirements for doctoral studies at the School of Public Affairs (as outlined in the school's doctoral regulations).

Admission is granted on the basis of the following criteria:

• The quality of the proposed Ph.D. project and its relevance to the research subject of the doctoral school (link). In particular, the project is expected to make an important and outstanding contribution to the advancement of knowledge in this research field;
• The applicant's motivation as stated in the cover letter;
• Previous examination results and study achievements;
• The assessment of the selection interview.

In addition, a suitable supervisor for the proposed Ph.D. project must be available at the School of Public Affairs and willing to supervise the applicant's Ph.D. project.

Participation in the structured Ph.D. programme at the Joachim Herz Doctoral School is generally free of charge. Only semester fees must be paid (approx. 320€ per semester).

Doctoral students are eligible for scholarships and other funding opportunities provided by Leuphana University Lüneburg, by German or foreign foundations, and by other (private or public) sources. Part-time employment (e.g. as research assistants) is also compatible with participation in the Ph.D. programme.

Admission to the structured Ph.D. programme of the Joachim Herz Doctoral School of Law is possible at any time.

In addition to fulfilling the above-mentioned admission criteria, applicants must have already been accepted as a doctoral candidate by one of the professors at Leuphana Law School (see here). The confirmation of supervision signed by the future supervisor (further information: here) must be enclosed with the application.

In case of any questions about the application procedure or the required documents, please contact jhkolleg@leuphana.de

• Guidelines for the Awarding of Doctoral Scholarships by Leuphana University Lüneburg (Gazette no. 07/14 of 30 April 2014; only available in German)
• Doctoral Regulations of the School of Public Affairs (Gazette no. 84/23 of 29 September 2023, originally in German, but available as a non-binding translation in English)