3 PhD Scholarships

Kuehne Logistics University; Hamburg; Vor Ort; EUR 20.000 - 40.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

An innovative research university in Hamburg seeks candidates for competitive scholarships in their PhD program starting September 1st, 2026. The program offers unique opportunities for research under expert faculty, covering various disciplines including operations, technology, and management. Ideal candidates should possess strong communication and analytical skills, aiming for academic research careers. The scholarship provides financial support of €1,750 per month, a substantial research budget, and exemption from tuition fees.

Leistungen

Monthly scholarship of €1,750

Full waiver of tuition

Annual research budget of €3,500–€6,500

Qualifikationen

• Completed or about to complete a Master's degree from an accredited university.
• Strong English language proficiency required.
• Support from at least one KLU professor.

Aufgaben

• Perform independent research under faculty supervision.
• Receive training and attend relevant courses.
• Participate in university services as part of the PhD program.

Kenntnisse

Strong communication skills

Analytical skills

Research interest

Ausbildung

Master’s degree or equivalent

Jobbeschreibung

We are seeking for

KLU hereby announces three competitive full scholarships for enrollment in the KLU PhD program per September 1st 2026.

The scholarships enable four years of independent research under supervision by two academic supervisors of KLU’s outstanding faculty encompassing a wide scope of various disciplines within the fields of Operations, Technology, Management and Leadership. The scholarships are open for any field within the scope of the university including social science and business disciplines.

KLU’s PhD program aims to develop successful candidates for independent in-depth academic research. PhD students receive their own generous annual research and training budget. Academic publications in top journals, participation in international research conferences, and international research stays are strongly supported.

The ideal candidate is interested in pursuing an academic career in research and teaching, and has strong communication and analytical skills. KLU provides a collegial, active, and inspiring international research environment. PhD students are embedded in research groups and the university-wide and supportive PhD community. Interdisciplinary research projects across KLU’s disciplines are encouraged.

Your responsibilities

KLU’s PhD Program

KLU’s PhD program is a four-year program. The course program is tailored to every doctoral student’s specific focal research area: Our doctoral students have opportunities to attend courses that teach methods and skills relevant to their research activities offered by KLU as well as our partner universities and broader networks.

Upon successful completion, a doctoral student will obtain the (German) degree of Doctor of Management Sciences/Wirtschaftswissenschaften (Dr. rer. pol.) or the (international) degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Your qualifications

Admission and Eligibility

Admission to the program is competitive and based on the applicant’s excellence as well as the match in research interest with the university’s resident faculty. We encourage you to apply immediately, since the reviews of applicants and the selection of scholarship awardees start upon receipt of applications. Evaluation of the applications is done on a rolling basis as they are submitted.

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet these minimum requirements:

• Completed or about to complete a Master’s degree or equivalent (300 ECTS) from an accredited university with a good international reputation with the German grade 2.0 or better. Grade equivalents are required for international applicants.
• English language proficiency according to KLU requirements (if the official language of the previous degree wasn’t English)
• Support from at least one KLU professor.

Full details about the application procedure can be found here. You should submit:

• Cover letter (incl. name of the member of the resident faculty who is willing to act as your supervisor).
• Research statement.
• Video statement (max. 3 minutes).
• A full resume (CV).
• Two references (with full contact details).
• Evidence of your English proficiency according to KLU requirements (if the official language of the previous degree wasn’t English).
• Bachelor’s degree certificate and full transcript of records
• Master’s degree certificate and full transcript of records
• Diploma Supplements (if available)
• University grading system information (required for degrees obtained outside
• Germany)
• Official translations of all degree documents and transcripts of records not issued in
• English or German
• Quality indicators for your individual excellence (e.g., prices, scholarships),
• excellence in your program (e.g., class rank, thesis grade/rank), and your university
• (e.g., university rankings)

We offer

Scholarship and Facilities

The KLU scholarship is €1,750 per month (tax-free). All PhD students have the opportunity to teach in the KLU’s degree programs, present in research seminars, participate in university services as part of the PhD program.

The annual research and training budget is €3,500 in year one and two and €6,500 in year three and four. Moreover, scholarship students receive a full waiver of tuition.

All these are for a period of four years.

Kühne Logistics University

Kühne Logistics University is a private research university in Hamburg, Germany. Its 34 faculty span various management and logistics disciplines, with an objective to foster knowledge, education, and outreach in order to enhance leadership within the logistics industry and the logistics function.

In its first decade, KLU has managed to establish an outstanding research reputation, as is clear in research rankings and in KLU’s faculty publishing in the world’s top journals in several disciplines.

Since its foundation in 2010, KLU has been enabling PhD students to become outstanding and influential academics, with research excellence and a good eye for the industry we study and serve. As the first graduates start their academic and industry careers, KLU has the full right to award doctoral degrees.

Contact

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us at . Kindly apply through via the "Apply" Button.

About us

Kühne Logistics University–Wissenschaftliche Hochschule für Logistik und Unternehmensführung is a private university founded in 2010 and located in Hamburg's HafenCity. KLU is a state-recognized university with the right to grant PhDs. With its AACSB accreditation, it ranks among the top 5% of business schools and management universities worldwide, with a dedicated focus on logistics, operations, and supply chain management. Following an internationalization strategy, we are now opening a campus in Vietnam and plan for two further campuses in Africa and the Americas.

We instill KLU's signature operations mindset in all our students, drawing on the strengths and key characteristics of logistics, including resilience, data-driven and action-oriented decision-making. As a boutique university, KLU offers its students and doctoral candidates a high degree of specialization and excellent study conditions. Further education programs for specialists and managers are offered in the form of seminars and summer schools by KLU Executive Education.