The Braunschweig International Graduate School of Metrology (B-IGSM) is an international training centre for the science and application of metrology in the fields of electrical engineering and information technology, physics, mechanical engineering and the life sciences. With the TU Braunschweig (TUBS) and its metrology-related research focus and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), one of the largest and internationally leading metrology institutes, Braunschweig is an ideal location for the graduate school.
The graduate school offers doctoral students in the STEM subjects a metrological qualification programme combined with the opportunity for a structured doctorate.
The programme in English includes lectures, seminars, themed workshops e.g. on scientific writing, soft skills courses and international summer schools.
Scientists of TU Braunschweig and PTB team up to serve as advisors of B-IGSM's PhD researchers. Since its foundation, around 60 doctoral students from 20 countries have passed through the graduate school and graduated with a doctoral degree and the B-IGSM metrology certificate. The research topics that B-IGSM doctoral students work on are divided into three areas: "Metrology for Society", "Metrology for Industry" and "Fundamentals of Metrology". The doctoral programme lasts three years. Scholarships funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development are regularly awarded to doctoral candidates from metrology institutes in newly industrialising and developing countries.
The graduate school comprises around 50 doctoral students and experienced scientists who act as supervisors for the doctoral students and are involved in the management of the B-IGSM. All members of the graduate school meet at least once a year to discuss technical and organisational matters.
A Management Board, supported by a coordinator, is responsible for fundamental matters of the B-IGSM. The Management Board is made up of equal numbers of representatives from TU Braunschweig and PTB and comprises a spokesperson, a course director, three further representatives from each of the two institutions and two student representatives. The tasks of the Management Board include planning the programme, selecting the doctoral students of the B-IGSM, ensuring the joint professional supervision of them by employees of TU Braunschweig and PTB as well as organising events, public relations and finances. The Management Board usually meets every two months.
The Graduate School is managed by the spokesperson with the support of the course director in consultation with the Management Board. The spokesperson also represents the B-IGSM externally. Currently, Prof Dr Meinhard Schilling from the Institute of Electrical Measurement and Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering at TU Braunschweig is the spokesperson for the B-IGSM. The role of course director is currently held by Prof. Dr. Andrey Surzhykov, Head of the Institute Fundamental Physics for Metrology at PTB.