Wood Biology and Wood Technology (Ph.D.)

The core of the programme is research work in the broader field of wood sciences. A wide variety of research projects are carried out, particularly in the fields of wood and fungal biology, wood preservation, wood chemistry, wood products, wood technology and wood-based materials (composites).

It focuses on students' independent research work, leading to a significant scientific contribution in their fields. In addition, students must participate in classes, practical courses and internships designed to train them for leadership positions in the woodworking industry and scientific research institutes.

The programme has an international focus. It gives students the chance to work alongside international research partners and complete internships in other countries. It also encourages them to participate in international conferences. The programme is conducted entirely in English.

To pursue a doctorate within the programme, you must first find a supervising professor. Potential supervisors of the working groups are:

• Wood Biology and Wood Products (Prof. Dr. Holger Militz, Prof. Dr. Carsten Mai)
• Wood Technology and Wood-based Composites (Prof. Dr. Kai Zhang)
• Wood-based Materials and Hybrid Materials (Prof. Dr. Markus Euring)
• Forest Botany and Tree Physiology (currently vacant)
• Molecular Wood Biotechnology (Prof. Dr. Ursula Kües)

The Wood Biology and Wood Technology programme is part of the Graduate School Forest and Agricultural Sciences (GFA).

The GFA is responsible for developing, maintaining and guaranteeing the standards of the admission process and administrating the selection and examination process for doctoral degrees in forest and agricultural sciences.

The graduate school is especially committed to organise events and workshops, which build methodological competencies, key skills, and facilitate graduates' transition into employment.

In the focus area research methods and laboratory practical, courses can be taken in the following subjects:

• Wood biology, microbiology and mycology;
• Molecular biology;
• Wood chemistry, wood physics and wood technology;
• Wood-based materials, engineered wood products, coating and gluing of wood, and nano-composites;
• Manuscript seminars, scientific publishing and good scientific practice.

For the subject-specific specialisation, doctoral modules can be selected from interdisciplinary courses offered by the University of Göttingen. These courses include:

• Specific lectures in wood science and technology
• Methods in molecular tree physiology
• Wood biology and technology laboratory practical
• New trends in wood technology

You can also familiarise yourself independently with specific research content or equipment and earn ECTS for it.

As part of the programme, the doctoral candidates give a total of four presentations at a PhD colloquium:

• Two scientific presentations on the content of their doctoral thesis (on-topic);
• Two scientific presentations on topics unrelated to their thesis (off-topic).

Further coursework is completed in various soft skill areas :

• Self-organisation of the study programme
• Teaching and supervision activities
• Presentation of research results
• Foreign language courses
• Other soft skills, such as management and leadership skills, patent law and administrative skills, are also covered.