PhD Program
The KLU PhD program prepares PhD candidates to become independent researchers. It is open to all perspectives in the fields of logistics and management. Our PhD candidates work on a diverse range of topics with important implications for societies, organizations, leaders, and employees. We welcome applicants from very diverse backgrounds, including (but not limited to) business, (industrial) engineering, and psychology.
The PhD program is four years long and mainly consists of independent research under the supervision of two academic supervisors from KLU’s outstanding faculty. In addition to direct supervision, the program encompasses a course program that targets the general PhD education such as research methods, writing, and research ethics. Each PhD candidate also attends courses in their focus area of content and research methods.
Each PhD candidate receives a personal research budget to support their independence from the beginning (3,500€ the first and second years; 6.500€ the third and fourth years). This allows, for example, attending courses, traveling to conferences, and conducting research projects. We encourage open exchange among all our PhD candidates and support the PhD community with a yearly PhD retreat, monthly PhD meetings, and social gatherings such as our PhD and Faculty winter party.
Our PhD candidates work on three scientific papers, which we aim to publish in top international journals (A+/A). Upon successful completion, the students obtain the (international) degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management (PhD) or the (German) degree of Doctor in Business, Economics, and Social Sciences /Wirtschaftswissenschaften (Dr.rer.pol.).
Our PhD program is designed to prepare candidates for an international career in academia, reflecting our love for the profession and belief in its value. Recent graduates have secured positions at prestigious institutions such as IE Business School (Madrid), Eindhoven University of Technology (Netherlands), Arizona State University (US), University of Tennessee, Knoxville (USA), and Neoma Business School (France). We also support all other career choices and are proud of seeing our graduates in roles at the United Nations, Greenpeace, consultancy, and in industry.
At KLU, we value the important role that research and academia play in shaping the future. If you share our passion for learning, innovation, and making a global impact, we invite you to our PhD program and take the next step toward your academic and professional goals.
KLU is not only an ambitious learning environment but also a warm and welcoming place. I genuinely enjoyed the interdisciplinary and cooperative spirit at KLU. In line with my thesis' objective to improve cooperation in aid operations, my fellow PhD peers and I had the enriching experience of thriving as a community and learning from each other's skills and perspectives. In the same spirit, my supervisors consistently provided the support necessary for my academic career development, generously sharing their experience, expertise, and network with me.
Lea Ruesch, PhD, Assistant Professor of Decision Sciences at IE University
KLU offered me an incredible array of academic opportunities that have greatly shaped my academic network and development. The university provided us with access to top conferences in our field and doctoral workshops worldwide. Moreover, I was fortunate to have an advisor who served as both an advisor and mentor, fostering my professional and personal growth throughout my Ph.D. and beyond. KLU has provided me with the best start for my career, and I look back on my time there with genuine joy and gratitude.
Dr. Christina Imdahl, Assistant Professor, Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Operations Planning Accounting & Control at Eindhoven University of Technology
Without KLU I wouldn't be where I am today! The PhD is a hard journey, and you need all the support you can get. At KLU, professors were always ready to lend a hand, irrespective of the stress they were going through. In particular, my supervisors helped tremendously not only in directing the scientific content of my thesis, but especially with teaching me how to be a successful academic. They introduced me to their networks at the top conferences in the field, pushed me to become a better version of the nerdy student I was and helped navigating the emotional hard times of papers’ revisions. My amazing PhD colleagues ensured that I remained sane through all this. I still look back to my KLU time very fondly: I worked hard, had a great time, and grew a lot, all at the same time.
Dr. Laura Turrini, Associate Professor of Operations Management at EBS Business School
KLU is a truly international university! After graduating from KLU with a Master in Global Logistics and PhD in Supply Chain Management, I had the opportunity to join the United Nations Secretariat in New York. As part of the Supply Chain Management function, we are strategically supporting the integrated end-to-end supply chain from planning to delivery of peacekeeping and security operations mandated by 193 member states. It is the combination of supply chain management, global operations in high-risk and geographically remote environments, and political affairs that fascinates from day one.
Jakob Heinen, PhD, Supply Chain Manager at the United Nations
• Completed or about to complete a Master degree (minimum overall grade of “good” – 2.0 or better for German degrees or an equivalent international grade) in business, economics, social sciences, or comparable studies from an accredited university with a good international reputation and belonging to the best students of your class.
• English language proficiency at a level that is equivalent to at least IELTS 6.5.
• Support by at least one resident faculty member of the KLU.
You have to submit the following documents to meet the minimum requirements to enter the PhD Program:
• Certificate, transcripts of records, and proof of qualifications to enter the PhD Program,
• A completed application form,
• A tabular CV,
• Contact details of two professors and/or teachers, who can be contacted for references,
• Proof of English proficiency.
Scholarship positions require:
Cover letter
- Indicating the specific reasons why you should be admitted to the program and be selected. It should also name specifically which resident faculty member will be your supervisor.
Excellence portfolio
- List of degrees obtained (Bachelor and Master degree) and quality indicators of the universities where you obtained these degrees. Quality indicators could include (but are not limited to): rankings (with URL to the published ranking), universities where your supervisor/advisor/teacher of key courses obtained their doctorate degree, or other quality indicators of your school or program. (Scanned copy of your degree certificates and the transcript of records
- Indicators of your excellence in the program. E.g. class rank, grade/rank of thesis.
- Indicators of your individual excellence. E.g.: ranking in national university entrance exam, high school grades, GRE or GMAT results and ranking, admission to graduate programs of reputable research universities or business schools, competitive scholarships awarded, prestigious awards received.
Personal fit
- Research statement (maximum two pages) in which you outline the research you would like to do, and with which faculty member. Also explain how this research statement is linked to current or past research of resident faculty and the KLU.
- Document including a link to a video-file of yourself stating why you should be admitted to the program, and specifically why you expect you could be a future thought leader in your discipline (maximum 3 minutes).
Research Associate Positions declare in the job opening which documents applicants need to submit in addition. They also state if further requirements are needed.
You can only apply to available positions. Please view our open positions.
If you have any further questions, please contact us at phd@klu.org.
The following courses are taught at KLU:
| Course Category | Content |
| Fundamentals |
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| Breadth Requirements |
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KLU PhD students need to attend all fundamental courses and two courses within the breadth requirements, in addition to 15 ECTS in courses within depth requirements which are tailored to their specific content and research methods. Depth courses can be taken at other universities or research institutions to find the best fit.