Short description
The aim of the program is to provide Ph.D. degree in one of the main directions of the Doctoral School of Environmental Sciences: environmental biology, environmental chemistry, environmental physics, or environmental geosciences. Emphasis is on the application of the given discipline in complex research projects, such as water quality changes and management, risk analysis and mitigation in various human and natural environments, renewable energy research, etc. The program offers training in up-to-date experimental methods and field exercises besides a solid theoretical background education.

Structure of the program
The first 4 semesters of the program constitute the so-called “training and research” phase. At the end of this, a complex examination should be taken. This serves, at the same time, as an entry to the next phase of another 4 semesters, called “research and dissertation”. The dissertation should be submitted within three years after taking the complex examination.

In the first phase, students should take courses in accordance with their interest and research topic. The course list consists of more than 130 items. Besides classroom work, students should engage in research activities already in the first year. Continuing research all through both phases, they should report regularly on their progress. In the second phase, students are expected to be working on their dissertation as well.

Strengths of the program 
The main strength of the program is its multidisciplinary orientation. Candidates can learn and participate in complex research projects involving biologists, chemists, physicists, and geoscientists. We offer the program also for students who have not even decided their precise field of scientific orientation yet. Depending on their interest and background knowledge, projects can be shifted to different directions because of their open structure and flexible organization.

Career opportunities 
People with similar degrees can find employment in various places such as environmental companies and organizations, governmental bodies and agencies, international organizations dealing with cross-border environmental activities, and many others in education.

Job examples
Postdoctoral scientists in research institutes, environmental experts in governmental bodies, agencies, national parks, environmental experts in NGO-s and international organizations (UN, EU, WMO, etc.)

Admission requirements
A master’s degree in the relevant field is a mandatory requirement. Applicants still pursuing their MSc studies should qualify for the degree by the end of the academic year in which they submit their application.

Before applying, students should select a suitable research topic, and should draw an outline for their research work with the guidance of their to-be supervisor. The list of the offered research topics can be found here: http://ttk.elte.hu/node/815.

On an interview conducted by tutors, applicants will be asked about their prior studies, research experience, thesis work, motivation and theoretical knowledge. Criteria for ranking in the admission procedure shall include:

• previous university achievements (examinations, comprehensive examinations, qualification of degree),

• achievements related to previous research work (awards obtained in students’ academic circles, publications in the particular professional area),

• the feasibility of the research plan.

Language requirement:
A good command of English is essential. If English is not the applicant’s mother tongue, or if s/he hasn’t pursued her/his university studies in English, a language certificate proving at least B2, but preferably C1 level of proficiency is required. Only language examinations recognised by the Hungarian Accreditation Centre for Foreign Language Examinations are accepted (e.g.: IELTS).

Documents to submit with application:

• Bachelor-level degree

• Master-level degree (if already obtained) OR Official document issued by the current home university, certifying when the applicant is expected to have satisfied the requirements for a master-level degree

• Transcript of all higher-education records

• CV

• Motivation letter

• Research plan

• Letter of recommendation (optional)

• Letter of reference from the MSc research supervisor

• Application form available here: http://ttk.elte.hu/node/820

• Copy of the main pages of the passport (needs to be valid)

• Certificate of clean criminal records

• Copy of application fee transfer

• Other: list of publications (if not included in CV)

• Other: English language exam certificate

• Other: documents of any other achievements or scientific activities (optional)

Application procedure (e.g.; entrance exam, Skype)
Well before the deadline, applicants should contact the supervisor whose topic they have chosen, so as to find out if their knowledge and research experience are relevant to the subject. If so, they should agree with the supervisor on the outlines of the research, and should make a research plan approved by her/him.

Applicants should fill in the application form that can be downloaded from here: http://ttk.elte.hu/node/820. Concerning the other documents to be submitted, please contact the international coordinator of the faculty.

The application package is reviewed by an admissions committee. Then the applicant is expected to take an oral entrance examination. If a personal meeting is impossible, the interview is held through Skype or telephone. The decision on admission or rejection is made at the earliest date possible, but by 15th July 2016 the latest.

Contact
Program leader: Head of the Doctoral School
Name: Prof. Imre M. Jánosi

Thematic programs:
Environmental Biology
Head: Dr. Éva Ács

Environmental Physics
Head: Dr. Imre M. Jánosi

Environmental Chemistry
Head: Dr. Tamás Turányi 

Environmental Earth Sciences
Head: Dr. Csaba Szabó

Other, namely (position): international coordinator of the faculty
Name: Ms. Nóra Demeter
E-mail: demeter.nora@ttk.elte.hu
TEL: +36 1 372 2612