Who can join the Graduate School Cyber Security?
You can join the Graduate School Cyber Security if you
- have a KIT affiliation
- are currently working on your Doctoral project within the field of Cyber Security (understood in a broad and interdisciplinary sense)
- are registered as a doctoral researcher at Docata
Why should I join the Graduate School?
The Graduate School Cyber Security offers a wide range of events and resources from which members can choose the ones they find helpful. We offer guidance for the journey as a doctoral researcher, networking opportunities, scientific exchange and key skills for academic and industry careers.
For example, we regularly organise the Security & Privacy Lunch for community networking, the CyberSec Seminar for peer feedback, the Distinguished Lecture Series, workshops on key competences, retreats and exclusive Ask me Anything events with professors and industry representatives.
Members can pick and chose from the offers and also become active in shaping the program to fit their interests.
What does the application process look like?
Applicants complete their application documents on their own. This includes finding a supervisor and mentor and having them sign the necessary documents.
The application is then sent to the Graduate School and will be checked for completeness. Completed applications will then be sent to the selection committee which will make a decision on the application or suggest improvements.
The decision will be communicated to the applicant via e-mail.
What expectations do I need to fulfill as a member of the Graduat School?
There are no mandatory parts to the Graduate School Cyber Security. This allows for you to pick and choose the best options for your doctoral journey. We know and appreciate that everyone has different needs and interests and want to make sure that they are met.
Of course, the Graduate School also profits immensely from engaged and active members so we do encourage you to take part in as many of the activities as you like and to get actively involved with the program. Interdisciplinary perspectives are incredibly important in research and the Graduate School offers an opportunity to look beyond the own field and find options for collaboration and exchange.
What is the purpose of the CyberSec Certificate?
The CyberSec Certificate is a way for you to proof your active participation in the Graduate School and the qualifications and experiences you earned along the way. It is a document that will come in very handy for future job applications in academia and beyond.
Now, while there is no mandatory participation in the Graduate School in general, there are a few requirements for receiving the certificate:
- Two presentations at the CyberSec Seminar
- Participation in the CyberSec Retreat
- Successful participation in one activity on scientific writing
- Participation in one course of choice in the primary research field
- Participation in two courses of choice in a secondary research field
- Participation in two workshops of choice
You can find a document that makes it easier to track your progess here, in English and German.
What resources does the Graduate School provide?
The purpose of the Graduate School is to provide doctoral researchers within the field of Cyber Security with ressources to advance their career and support the progress in particular from an interdisciplinary perspective.
To this aim we provide a range of ressources on various levels. We also cooperate with other KIT institutions to provide an even broader offer.
1. Subject based skills
We provide various formats such as scientific seminars, lecture series, research retreats and research exchanges that will further your knowledge on cyber security from an interdisciplinary perspective.
2. General scientific skills
Through workshops, peer feedback and individualised support to will receive access to skills that are relevant to your journey as a researcher. This includes topics like scientific reading and writing and research collaborations. It also includes resources and support concerning the process of completing and defending a doctoral thesis.
3. Leadership skills
Researchers are leaders across various industries and of course in academia. We provide your with the skills to succeed. Communication, knowledge transfer and people skills are some of the major focal points here.
4. Networking opportunities
We offer monthly lunches, annual retreats and peer events to get you in touch with like-minded people. We support your stay abroad and we facilitate contact with and wisdom from industry actors.
Does the Graduate School provide job opportunities?
The Graduate School is an additional resource for those who are already affiliated with the KIT. It does thus neither provide its own doctoral positions nor can it in other ways provide you with funding for your doctoral project.
However, we closely work with KASTEL, so take a look at their site on job opportunities.
I am not sure if this is the right program for me.
If you have browsed our website and are still unsure if this is the right program, please feel free to reach out to our coordinator Lena Merkle who will answer any remaining questions and will help you make a decision.
Also, if you feel something crucial is missing from the program, please let us know. We value active members and you are always invited to help shape the program to make it more fitting for you and your peers.