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PhD


Structure and Scope Finding a SupervisorRegistrationScholarships and Jobs

 

Join the PhD program at the Earth Sciences Institute and enjoy a unique opportunity to lead groundbreaking research!

The program provides you with close guidance by leading internationally renowned researchers, innovative equipment and diverse research infrastructures. Many projects also offer the opportunity for collaborations in Israel and abroad, funding for conferences and trips overseas, and personal development as independent and leading researchers. Graduates of our PhD programs find employment in universities in Israel and abroad, leading research institutes, as well as government and industry.

Structure and scope of the degree:

As part of your doctoral studies, you are required to take courses (15 academic credits) from a wide variety of mandatory and elective courses. Your supervisor and the advisory  committee will need to approve the courses you have chosen, and you must complete all of them by the end of the fourth year of studies.

The degree process:

The research lasts about five years and consists of two main phases:     

Stage 1: Writing and submitting a detailed research proposal and an examination by an advisory committee.

Stage 2:

  • Continuing the research;

  • Writing the doctoral dissertation and delivering a seminar lecture 

  • Submission of the doctoral thesis for evaluation by the advisory committee and the Authority for Research students. 

For study programs and courses, see the university yearbook

 

Research Fields

PhD in  Geology at the Hebrew University offers an immersive journey into the world of research and discovery. Our diverse research fields encompass seismology, earthquakes, carbon fixation, volcanism, landscape formation processes, paleoclimate, geochemistry, geophysics, and more.The doctoral studies in Geology prepare the graduates to become leading researchers in the field while applying theoretical knowledge and gaining practical experience in research and advanced analytical equipment.

For the research groups in the field of Geology 

Advisor: Prof. Ron Shaar | ron.shaar@mail.huji.ac.il

Tackling the climate crisis requires advanced  research, necessitating the development and use of sophisticated tools and models in the field of climate and atmospheric sciences. As part of our doctoral studies, you will gain access to cutting-edge tools and methodologies for studying chemical and physical processes in the atmosphere. This includes research on the impact of air pollution on rain formation, solutions to enhance rainfall, forecasting extreme weather events, cloud dynamics, radiation transfer, the effects of aerosols on global warming, and more.

Join us to engage in pioneering research that addresses the urgent challenges of climate change, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and innovative approaches to make meaningful contributions to the field.

For the research groups in the field of atmospheric sciences

 

Advisor: Prof. Chaim I. Garfinkel | chaim.garfinkel@mail.huji.ac.il

The growing awareness of environmental issues such as climate change, renewable energy, air pollution, and waste management highlights the need for experts equipped with advanced knowledge and innovative tools to develop solutions and influence policy. Our PhD program in Environmental Sciences provides you with the opportunity to use tools from chemistry, physics, and biology to investigate and understand urgent environmental challenges. Research in Environmental Sciences facilitates collaboration between leading researchers from the Institute of Earth Sciences and other research institutes, enabling you to tailor your research with a broad interdisciplinary perspective.

Special scholarships are available for Environmental Sciences PhD students, with details announced periodically.

 For the research groups in Environmental Sciences

Advisor: Prof. Simon Emmanuel | simon.emmanuel@mail.huji.ac.il 

Research in oceanography is advancing rapidly, creating a demand for talented researchers in this dynamic field. The PhD program in Oceanography prepares students for independent research on fascinating topics such as changes in the chemical composition of the sea, the effects of climate change, carbon capture and storage, conservation of coral reefs and habitats, interactions between the sea and the atmosphere, mineral mining, and more. The research areas in the department combine theoretical methods, laboratory and field experiments, cruises, and diving. During your degree, you will have the opportunity to collaborate and conduct research at the Inter-University Institute in Eilat.

Join us and become part of a vibrant community dedicated to exploring and understanding the complexities of our oceans.

For the research groups in the field of oceanography

Advisor: Prof. Adi Torfstein | adi.torf@mail.huji.ac.il

The PhD program in Hydrology and Water Resources offers an interdisciplinary approach designed to equip students with strong analytical skills for studying the world’s hydrosphere. Research areas include flood dynamics, contaminant transport in groundwater, and water resource management. Research methodologies encompass laboratory experiments, fieldwork, and advanced modeling techniques, integrating knowledge from various disciplines such as geology, meteorology, environmental sciences, and soil and water studies.

Join us and become a part of a dedicated team working to solve critical water resource challenges.

For the research groups in the field of Hydrology

Advisor: Prof. Efrat Morin | efrat.morin@mail.huji.ac.il

 

Requirements for Admission:

Admission:

1. Find a supervisor who will agree to guide you during the research.

2. Means of acceptance:

  • Track 1: Hold a Master's degree with a thesis and with a grade of at least 85;

  • Track 2: Conditional acceptance track-  for Candidates who have not yet completed all the academic requirements for a Master’s degree with a thesis or who have completed them with a grade lower than 85;

  • Track 3: Direct PhD track  For more details: the Authority for Research Students website.

Registration:

Applications and registration are carried out on the Authority for Research Students website.

  1. Applications must be submitted through the "University Registration (Online Registration)" system

  2. The required documents must be sent to the Authority for Research Students in order to discuss the candidacy. The list of necessary documents can be found here: table of documents for application submission.docx

For more details, please contact Ms. Sharon Haliva - sharonh@savion.huji.ac.il at the Authority for Research Students

Scholarships and Positions

PhD students are eligible for a variety of scholarships:

  • Full exemption from tuition fees;

  • Monthly living stipend;

  • Employment options as a Teaching Assistant - you can apply for such a position through the teaching secretary, Ms. Maggie Parkin - magip@savion.huji.ac.il 

  • The institute supports the financing of travel to conferences and research trips in Israel and abroad.

Changes in conditions may occur based on agreements between the supervisor and the student.