Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS
Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS

Industrial PhD

What is an industrial PhD?

An industrial PhD program combines the best of both worlds: the scientific excellence of a research institution with the innovative strength of a company. PhD candidates are contractually employed by the company and simultaneously conduct research on a topic that meets both scientific standards and the company’s specific development goals. The right to award the PhD remains with the research institution, which provides academic supervision and ensures the quality of the work.


How does an industrial PhD program work?

The research topic is defined in collaboration with the company. This is often based on an existing collaboration between researchers, professors and industry partners. Anyone interested is welcome to participate!

Doctoral candidates typically work in a dual environment: addressing practice-oriented questions at the company while collaborating closely with their supervising department on the scientific development of their thesis.

While the research institution provides academic supervision and is responsible for ensuring that the thesis meets academic standards, the company typically provides compensation for this research effort as well as for infrastructure and/or materials used. The exact terms are agreed upon on a case-by-case basis. 


Benefits for your company at a glance
 

Benefit Description
Oriented research Results are directly tailored to real-world business challenges.
Knowledge transfer The latest scientific expertise is immediately incorporated into the company.
Retaining talent PhD candidates who receive funding are often willing to stay with the company long-term after graduation.
Boosting innovation Research projects can serve as the basis for new products, processes or patents.
Funding opportunities

In many cases, industry-sponsored doctoral programs can be (co-)funded through public programs (e.g., BMBF, DFG, industry funds).

Benefits for doctoral candidates

  • Financial security through a regular employment contract and a competitive salary
  • Career opportunities through direct access to a corporate network
  • Practical focus through work on real-world projects with measurable impact
  • Networking with colleagues within the company and the scientific community

 

What you should know as a company – an open look at the challenges

Transparency is important to us. An industry-based PhD program also involves aspects that require careful planning:

 

Challenge Recommendation
Academic freedom Establish clear contractual provisions regarding freedom of publication and the use of research results from the very beginning.
Time management Doctoral candidates need sufficient time for their academic work; striking a good balance between corporate responsibilities and research is crucial.
Academic network Actively involving doctoral candidates in conferences and professional events enhances academic quality.
Reputation The quality of the doctoral dissertation also depends on the quality of supervision— a renowned research partner is a clear advantage.

 

Typical industries and fields of application

Our industry-based doctoral programs are particularly well-established in:

  • Biotechnology, medical technology and the life sciences
  • Chemistry and materials science
  • Environmental and energy engineering

Many German and international companies have been successfully using this model for decades to combine research excellence with corporate strategy.


Start a collaboration now

Do you already have a specific research topic in mind, or would you like to learn more about a potential collaboration? We look forward to hearing from you.