Full-time PhD programme

To apply for ERIM’s Full-time PhD in Management, you’ll need:

Academic qualifications

• A master’s degree (MSc, MA, or MPhil) in business, economics, or a related field (e.g., psychology, sociology, engineering, mathematics), based on the PhD project.
• A strong academic record with excellent results in prior degrees.

Research motivation and aptitude

• A clear interest in research and motivation to pursue scientific inquiry, demonstrated through a Statement of Purpose and a Research Statement.

Standardised test scores

• Strong GMAT or GRE scores (85th percentile or higher is ideal). Applicants without these scores may still apply if they can demonstrate equivalent academic and research excellence.

• English language proficiency test scores for non-native English speakers (waivers may be granted for those with prior university-level education fully in English).

  The internet-based TOEFL requires a minimum total score of 100, with no section score (writing, speaking, reading, or listening) falling below 23. For IELTS, an overall band score of 7.5 is needed, with no section score (writing, speaking, reading, or listening) falling below 6.5.

To submit your application, please prepare and submit the necessary documentation as detailed under the Application section (see left).

Given the high volume of applications we receive, admission is highly competitive. You will undergo a rigorous selection process:

1. Initial screening

   Upon receipt, your application undergoes an initial review by ERIM’s Full-time PhD Office. If you meet the requirements and your application form is complete, your application will proceed to the next stage.

2. Supervisor review and interview

   Potential supervisors will first review your application materials to assess your suitability for the PhD project. If selected, you may be invited to one or more interviews, which could take place in person, via video call, or by phone. Following these interviews, supervisors will select a preferred candidate from the interview pool and submit a nomination to the ERIM management team for final consideration.

3. Final decision

   Please note that a nomination does not guarantee acceptance into ERIM’s Full-time PhD Programme. The final decision on which nominated candidates will be offered a position lies with the ERIM management team. The team reviews all nominations and makes final selections.

All applicants will receive an update on their application status by email, so there is no need to contact ERIM’s FT PhD Office for updates.

Application period

Applications for the next academic year open in November, with a submission deadline in mid-January. Applicants will receive decisions by mid-March.
Occasional vacancies outside the annual cycle may become available and may have different deadlines – please check PhD vacancies (see left) for updates.

Choosing a PhD project

Before applying, choose a maximum of two projects from the available PhD positions listed under PhD vacancies (see left).

Submitting your application

Applications are entirely online. Please scan and upload the required documents in the online application form. Scanned documents should ideally be in PDF format (but Word and JPEG files are accepted if necessary). Only one file per document is allowed, so you may need to merge multiple documents into a single file. Find out which documents are required under Application components below.

Applications submitted by email are not accepted.

The aim of the Business Processes, Logistics and Information Systems research group is to be at the forefront of developments in Logistics and Supply Chain management in interaction with business operations, information, and technology innovation, and to make a major contribution to both management science and practice.

The programme is focused on three themes: Logistics and supply chain optimisation, operations and innovation management, and next generation information systems.

The Organisation programme aims to develop and test fundamental theory in applied organisational research. It covers issues from the micro to the macro level of analysis.

The programme has two “centres of gravity” that provide focus and visibility to the programme’s research efforts: Organisational Behaviour, and Value-Based Organising. Both centres have a distinct focus, but also actively search for overlapping and interdisciplinary areas of research.

The Marketing programme focuses on both managerial and consumer decision-making processes in marketing. The programme’s mission is to contribute to the body of knowledge of marketing in a way that has academic rigour, leads to new scientific insights and has practical relevance.

The three themes of the Marketing programme are: Consumer behaviour, marketing management and strategy, and marketing modelling.

The Finance and Accounting programme aims to enhance understanding of the financial decision-making of firms, managers and market participants, as well as the functioning of financial markets and intermediaries.

The programme strives for high-quality scientific contributions in all major areas of finance and accounting, and to disseminate its knowledge locally and internationally. The three broad themes of the Finance and Accounting programme are: Asset pricing, corporate finance and accounting.

All PhD candidates may apply for a consultation with the PhD Psychologist when they experience mental health issues, work-life challenges, challenges concerning their relation with their promotor, or any other issue that interferes with or influences their PhD trajectory.

The PhD Psychologist is able to provide up to 5 sessions with each PhD candidate. Unfortunately, this means that for serious mental disorders, candidates may be referred to an external professional who has the capacity to address more severe challenges.

Apart from one-on-one sessions, training sessions on several subjects related to the challenges PhD employees encounter are also available. If you know any PhD candidate that is currently facing challenges and would benefit from one-on-one or training sessions, please refer them to the PhD Psychologist.

You may schedule an appointment with the PhD Psychologist here.

Unfortunately, PhD Psychologist Samia el Kaddouri is absent for an extended period of time due to health reasons. Therefore, scheduling an appointment is currently not possible.

If you need support as a PhD student, you can reach out to your Confidential Counsellor (your first point of contact). Alternatively, you can visit OpenUp or contact Safe@EUR.

If you experience undesirable behaviour as a PhD, know that you do not have to deal with it alone. You can reach out to your Confidential Counsellor - this is your first point of contact for issues relating to academic integrity.

Confidential Counsellors are there to listen and think along with you about steps that can be taken if you experience inappropriate behaviour in the workplace (sexual harassment, intimidation, bullying, discrimination, aggression and/or violence). Conversations with a counsellor are confidential unless a serious criminal offense has been committed.

For any further questions or information, please contact ERIM's Kim Harte, Confidential Counsellor for PhDs.