What is an Industrial PhD program?

An Industrial PhD program is a specific model for research, innovation, education, and knowledge transfer that bridges the gap between academic research and industrial practice. This model enables doctoral students to research closely with companies and academic institutions. It provides an ideal platform for executives to develop academic and practical skills.

The program usually requires triangular cooperation between the doctoral candidate, a university, and a company. Postgraduate students are often enrolled at academic institutions and employed by companies. These programs are particularly popular in business and computer science fields, as they develop practical solutions to real-world problems.

The structure of the program varies depending on the country and institution, but typically, doctoral students spend the majority of their time at the company while being accompanied by an academic supervisor at the university. The research focus is on a topic that is of strategic importance to the company and academically challenging. The dual approach ensures that the dissertation has both practical and academic relevance.

The doctoral students work directly on practical issues that are often crucial to the company. This allows them to apply their research results directly and experience how their work influences business practice.

In contrast to traditional doctoral programs, Industrial PhD programs often offer a permanent position in the company, which guarantees financial stability during the doctorate.

Working in a company opens up valuable networking opportunities and improves career prospects. After completing the program, participants often already have a foothold in the company and industry-relevant contacts.

Doctoral students benefit from working with experts from different fields, which promotes the exchange of knowledge and the development of new perspectives.

An Industrial PhD program offers a unique opportunity to combine academic and practical skills. It is ideal for talented individuals who want to conduct application-oriented research while advancing their careers in the industry. The close cooperation between universities and companies creates a fruitful exchange that benefits science and industry.