Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt

Doctoral Thesis

The Helmholtz Graduate School Environmental Health (HELENA) is a joint initiative for the promotion of graduate students of the Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) and the Technische Universität München (TUM).

HELENA qualifies a new generation of internationally competitive graduate students in the field of environmental health research. HELENA students receive intensive scientific training in one of the eight thematic fields and have access to state-of-the-art platforms and training opportunities in the latest technologies. Individual supervision and mentoring is ensured by a personal Thesis Committee. Career promotion and training in management, leadership and communication skills prepares our graduate students to fill lead positions in research, management, industry and administration. The doctoral degree will be awarded by a University, where students have to actively register at.

Exemplary Curriculum

1 term = 6 months (from the starting date of your working contract)

Completion of the mandatory elements

- Orientation Days (1 time) 
- Statistics and Reproducibility 
Good Scientific Practice
- Kick-off seminar TUM or HELENA Mid-Term Booster LMU


Completion of the scientific training: 270 hours

- Journal clubs (1h per week/6 terms): 84 hours 
- Institute seminars (1h per week/6 terms): 84 hours  
- 2 method courses (2x3 days): 48 hours  
- Introductory seminar (1h per week/1 term): 14 hours 
- Advanced seminar (1h per week/1 term): 14 hours
- Scientific training: 10 hours 
- Retreat (2 Days): 16 hours


Professional skills training: 40 hours

- 3 courses (1.5 days each): 40 hours