TU-D provides the PhD students with a comprehensive education at the forefront of research on low-dimensional materials, pushing the limits of current methods. Hence, we will educate well-rounded young researchers, accustomed to collaboration, with the skills they need to embark on successful careers in this rapidly growing field of emerging technologies.

The key element of the research training will be the work within the scientific projects (i.e. learning-by-doing), of course done in close interaction with TU-D faculty, guests, staff and experienced senior postdocs in the research groups. Thereby, the members of TU-D will experience all aspects of scientific research first hand. The PhD projects in TU-D will be designed so that the work will be carried out in at least two of the involved groups. This will additionally broaden the scientific horizon of the graduates. Students will become part of the international network surrounding the different research groups and will provide an excellent opportunity to initiate and cultivate own networks.

After admission to the doctorate school, each individual must present a list of courses to the TAC, that the student intends to attend to fulfill the formal ECTS requirements of TUwien. The TAC must approve this list and any changes made thereafter. The courses must be selected to provide a broad background knowledge for TU-D student’s research. Selecting courses from areas other than the one of the individual’s master degree is strongly encouraged.
Lecture course “Low-dimensional materials”: A lecture course (6 ECTS in 2 semesters) will be offered, held at the TU Wien, to which all TU-D faculty members will contribute in turn. Participation in this lecture course is mandatory for all TU-D students. Such a “Ringvorlesung” will provide students a basic knowledge in all four fields of expertise. In addition, each faculty member offers an additional lecture on her field of expertise: the “Ringvorlesung” will guide the PhD students to select from these additional courses.

A central piece of the training comprises a seminar series. Talks will be presented by high-level external guests. Every semester TU-D will invite four international researchers to colloquia in different research fields. The guests will be asked to account for the different background of the PhD students and to present their talks in a general overview, followed by a more specific, in-depth discussion. After each talk, the PhD students will have the possibility to discuss with the speaker in the absence of the DK faculty. Alternating with these invited talks, DK students will present their own work. A main focus of these seminars will be to train the students to communicate their research to scientists with different backgrounds. These seminars will also improve the coordination between the different research groups and allow the DK faculty to monitor the research progress of the group of students. Each PhD student is required to give at least one presentation each year.

Once a year, a summer academy will be organized.  The academy will have an intense collaborative and interdisciplinary aspect. On a less regular basis these academies may also be combined with excursions to European research centers. The organization of the summer academy will be partly in the hands of TU-D students – as a part of their soft-skills and science management training. The summer academy has an important social function; its program will mainly focus on soft skills training, including

• presentation of research progress, especially to external participants,
• participation of persons from industry, consulters, or personnel development specialists,
• scientific and project management,
• intellectual property rights (IPR) issues and commercial exploitation of results,
• scientific writing (publications, grants, reports) and presentation techniques, and
• societal, ethical and gender issues.

The PhD students in TU-D will also organize a retreat which will be financed by third party funding. Topics, guests and location of the three day event will be decided by the PhD students.