IDEAS

IDEAS connects excellence in environmental and life sciences with modern data science. Together with leading Helmholtz centres and universities, the School trains the next generation of interdisciplinary data scientists.

IDEAS is a joint research school of the Helmholtz Centres UFZ and HZDR, developed in close collaboration with strong university partners. It provides an excellent interdisciplinary environment for research, training, and networking.

IDEAS research projects span topics from climate and environmental sciences to health and life sciences and trustworthy artificial intelligence, linking data-driven methods with concrete scientific and societal challenges.

IDEAS Homepage

Mission

IDEAS aims to significantly advance the development of data-driven methods for the environmental and life sciences while training a new generation of data scientists capable of translating complex data into robust insights for pressing scientific and societal challenges.

Curriculum

IDEAS combines ambitious doctoral research with structured training. Doctoral researchers spend on average half a day per week on courses and professional development activities, earning a total of 12 credits. The doctoral programme is designed for four years: three years dedicated to primary research, followed by one year focused on completing the dissertation and developing transferable skills.

Curriculum components

The IDEAS curriculum consists of the following elements:

Individual research project, publications, and dissertation
Project-specific methodological training
Good scientific practice and research ethics
Research data management and transferable skills

Community & cohort

IDEAS places strong emphasis on cohort-based exchange and community building through:

Regular seminars (alternating between Leipzig and Dresden)
Annual five-day hackathon (mandatory in the first two years)
Annual school retreat

Supervision model

IDEAS uses the Y-supervision model: each doctoral project is jointly supervised by at least two Principal Investigators (PIs) from different partner institutions, who contribute complementary disciplinary perspectives -typically combining data science and domain expertise.

In addition, doctoral researchers are supported by a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC), which may include further mentors and provides regular, structured feedback on the progress of the doctoral project.

Employment & funding

All IDEAS PhD positions are fully funded (100%) according to TVöD E13 for 3 years with the possibility of 1 year extension.

Application and further information

IDEAS is based in Leipzig and Dresden, and the programme language is English.

Recruitment follows a two-stage process. In the first step, IDEAS selects high-quality doctoral projects submitted by the project leaders. These projects are then published in an open call, to which applicants may apply for up to three projects. Candidates are evaluated and matched to projects based on their qualifications and suitability.