Explore strategic questions in depth
Time and methodological depth for questions that receive too little attention in day-to-day business.
Doctoral studies at FBEO
Research in business. A doctorate at the university.
Research with practical relevance and clear academic responsibility.
Doctoral research with a company
Explore business questions through research.
Over several years, doctoral researchers connect professional experience with theory and empirical research. Companies provide the research setting and access to practice; the chair is responsible for supervision, methods and research quality.
Benefits
What both sides gain.
Clear roles safeguard academic independence and support a productive exchange.
For companies
Develop talent
Employees strengthen their research, analytical and strategic skills.
For doctoral researchers
Research with access to practice
Real data and decision-making processes provide the empirical context for the research.
Work within an academic community
Colloquia, workshops and conferences connect the project with the academic community.
Research themes
What you can research with us.
Your topic connects with our research profile and allows you to develop an independent research question.
Strategy and growth
Corporate development, scaling, internationalisation and competition.
Innovation and technology
Business models, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and transformation.
Family businesses
Governance, succession, leadership and entrepreneurial orientation.
Framework
Organisation and funding.
Employment arrangements, the allocation of time and organisational integration are defined transparently and made contractually binding before the project begins.
University affiliationA fixed-term part-time university position may be possible, depending on the project.
Depending on the academic focus and organisational fit, the doctorate may be complemented by a fixed-term part-time position at the university. This provides formal university affiliation and clearly defined periods for work on the dissertation.
Academic independenceIndependent research, without commitments on outcomes or the use of results.
Projects may address questions arising in companies, regardless of organisational affiliation, provided they are suitable for academic research. The dissertation and publications remain independent academic contributions.
Company contribution€25,000 per year · Standard duration: 3 years
The contribution funds academic supervision and quality assurance, methodological guidance and structured reflection, as well as research, networking and exchange activities. It also covers expenses directly related to the doctorate, such as data collection and participation in academic conferences.
Requirements
What you should bring.
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Academic background
A degree completed with good results in a relevant field.
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Interest in research
Enjoyment of research, theory-led reasoning and academic writing.
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Independent working
An independent, structured and reliable approach to your work.
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Motivation and teamwork
A willingness to take an active part in discussions and exchange at the chair.
Is your project a good fit for FBEO?
Send us your CV, academic background and an initial research interest. For company collaborations, also describe the planned access to the research setting.