Getting started at TAM —
PhD in Darmstadt
Your guide to the most relevant services at TU Darmstadt and across TAM — organised by when you need them.
This page brings together the most relevant services and contact points at TU Darmstadt for PhD researchers at TAM. It is designed to help you navigate the initial phase efficiently by pointing you to the right units, courses and support structures at the right time. Not sure where to start? Contact the TAM TrainingHub Coordinator — see below.
Start Here
First 4 weeks — administrative setup, orientation, first contacts
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
International Welcome Centre for International Scholars and Scientists Visit website ↗ |
Dedicated guidance and networking events for newly arriving international researchers — covers non-academic issues including immigration and housing | Immediately on arrival | Core |
|
Mental Health Psychotherapeutic Counseling Center (PBS) Visit website ↗ |
Counseling services for enrolled students including doctoral candidates — stress management, difficulties with concentration, and exam anxiety | As needed | Core |
Build Your Profile
Months 2–6 — structured training, TAC setup, career exploration
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Graduate School Ingenium Qualification Program Visit website ↗ |
Central organisation for Early Career Researcher (ECR) development — integrated training and networking in research techniques and academic writing | From month 1 | Core |
|
Mentoring Mentoring Hessen — Women in Sciences Visit website ↗ |
Mentoring programme specifically for international female doctoral candidates and postdocs — networking, career planning, and long-term integration into the German academic system | From month 3 | Optional |
Expand & Connect
Ongoing — networking, funding applications, career positioning
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Networking Welcome Centre — Networking Events Visit website ↗ |
Ongoing networking events for international researchers across TU Darmstadt — connect with peers and find community outside the lab | From month 1, ongoing | High |
|
Graduate School Ingenium — Advanced Training Visit website ↗ |
Transferable skills, leadership, science communication, and career development workshops — offered throughout your PhD | Ongoing | Core |
TAM Cluster-Wide Offers for PhDs
These opportunities are available to all TAM PhD researchers regardless of location. Use them to complement your local university support — for interdisciplinary exposure, international visibility, and funding.
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Career Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) |
Two supervisors from TAM institutions + one external — regular meetings every 3 months with progress reports and CDP review | Start of PhD | Core |
|
Career Career Development Plan (CDP) |
Individualised plan developed and adjusted with your TAC — scientific goals, training needs, next career steps | From month 1 | Core |
|
Funding Treasure Box — Intramural Funding |
Up to €5,000 for interdisciplinary collaborative research projects within TAM — annual call, open to all PhD researchers | From year 1 | Core |
|
Exchange Visits & Exchange Programme |
Research secondments at leading labs worldwide — up to 6 months, travel and living costs covered | From year 1 | Core |
|
Skills Complementary Skills Training |
Ethics, grant writing, leadership, science communication, open science, EDI, work-life balance — in coordination with TAM partners | Ongoing | Core |
|
Community Bi-weekly Colloquia |
World-leading scientists hosted by ECRs — streamed and posted online, occasional online-only sessions | Ongoing | Core |
|
Community YoungPro Events |
ECR-organised, ECR-only networking events — peer connections across all TAM sites, €20K/p.a. dedicated budget | Ongoing | Core |
|
Training Visual Neuroscience Summer School |
Intensive 2-week international summer school — open to top talent worldwide, travel stipends available for LMIC researchers | Every 2 years | Optional |
How to combine local and TAM offers
Use Ingenium and the Welcome Centre for structured training, day-to-day support, and administrative guidance specific to Darmstadt.
Use TAM TrainingHub offers for interdisciplinary exposure, international exchange, and funding opportunities beyond your local institution.
The combination gives you depth locally and breadth across TAM — a balanced PhD profile that opens doors in academia and beyond.
Unsure where to start or how to prioritise? Rebekka Volmer at the TAM TrainingHub serves as a central orientation point across TAM and helps you identify the right services at the right time.
Contact the TrainingHub →