KIT offers to 3000 PhD students, 60 young investigators, and junior professors from Germany and abroad

• innovative concepts for the development of their scientific and personal qualities,
• an excellent environment of university research and large-scale research, and
• excellent national and international networking.

Young Scientists are supported by the Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS) and the Research Office (FOR). The Young Investigator Network (YIN) offers a self-administered network for junior research group leaders. Institutes, KIT departments, and doctoral programs provide the subject-related qualification.

In addition, KIT specifically promotes early independence and career perspectives of early‐stage researchers by providing good framework conditions. This includes support in the recruitment of a junior research group, the recognition as  a KIT junior research group, and participation in doctoral procedures by establishing the status of “KIT Associate Fellow".

More than any other institution, KIT supports young scientists by funding their doctorate. 83% of the PhD students hold at least half a position. This is the result of a survey made by the Karlsruhe House of Young Scientists (KHYS), the central coordination and communication platform for young scientists, among the PhD students. They were found to be highly satisfied with the rooms, access to the laboratories, technical equipment, and the team atmosphere.

At KIT, PhD students conduct research autonomously and in an interdisciplinary manner in graduate schools and research groups at a very early time already. At KIT, doctorates are conferred in five disciplines: Natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, humanities, and social sciences.