Doctoral Scholarship in the doctoral reseach group "Entrepreneurship, Management, & Innovation"

19.02.2026 Doctoral Scholarship "Organizing IT in Times of Crisis" in the School of Management and Technology (doctoral reseach group Entrepreneurship, Management, & Innovation) embedded in the “EMBRACING TRANSFORMATION” PROGRAM

Leuphana University Lüneburg promotes the qualification of academically excellent researchers in the doctoral phase. To finance their research project, a doctoral scholarship “Organizing in Times of Crisis” will be awarded in the School of Management and Technology (doctoral research group “Entrepreneurship, Management, & Innovation”) from 01 April 2026.

The scholarship is embedded in the newly established international doctoral program “Embracing Transformation” which invites applications from academically outstanding and committed Master’s graduates striving to become part of a new hub for transformation research at Leuphana University of Lüneburg. The doctoral scholars will take part in a unique university-wide research endeavor, combining both disciplinary and interdisciplinary seminars, workshops and conferences related to international transformation research. The unique and internationally competitive doctoral program provides cutting-edge methods and advanced theories in six interdisciplinary research fields (Key Subject Areas) named on the Embracing Transformation website. 

The scholarship is embedded within the Key Subject Area “Organizing in Times of Crises”.

Applications may be submitted with an individual research proposal in the field of organizing, strategizing, entrepreneuring and innovating in times of crisis. Scholarship recipients are expected to pursue an empirical PhD project at Leuphana University Lüneburg primarily using qualitative research methods. The dissertation should be a cumulative bundle of research articles; submitting a monography-based dissertation is also possible. The PhD project should be composed in English. Receiving this PhD scholarship implies continual and active participation in research colloquia.

The call for applications is aimed at exceptionally qualified applicants from the specified field or from relevant related disciplines. Selection for the scholarship is based on the application documents submitted, whereby the following criteria are used to assess academic excellence, for example: 

  • above-average performance in subjects or modules relevant to the doctoral topic or in final theses
  • rapid progress in studies
  • biographical background
  • first publications, participation in specialist events or science-related further training (conferences/workshops) 

Applicants should meet the following additional requirements:

  • Above-average Master degree (or close to completion, at the latest by March 2026) in Management or Business Administration, ideally with a focus on organization theory, as well as a Bachelor degree, both according to the Bologna process (Master: two years, 120 ECTS; Bachelor: three years, 180 ECTS) or an equivalent qualification
  • Initial skills in empirical social research, typically acquired in prior bachelor’s and master’s studies
  • Ability to actively participate in English-speaking debates, reading groups, workshops, seminars, and research projects at business level
  • Interest in and enjoyment of empirical and theoretical work as well as scientific writing
  • Ability and willingness to develop and elaborate one’s own research project independently
  • Willingness to discuss preliminary findings at national and international discipline-specific conferences and workshops
  • Capacity for teamwork and self-understanding as being part of a mutually supportive research community
  • Strong interest in the topic of "Organizing in Times of Crisis"

The scholarship is awarded for three years. It amounts to EUR 1,650 per month, plus a research allowance of EUR 100 per month. A family allowance and a child allowance may be granted upon application. 

During the scholarship, the focus lies on self-organized work on the doctoral project, which is why remunerated professional activities are only possible to a limited extent; details are regulated in the currently valid guidelines for the award of scholarships for the doctoral phase at Leuphana University Lüneburg (see here). The supervisor can conduct performance-based interim evaluations throughout the duration of the scholarship.

The doctoral scholarship serves to prepare for a doctorate at Leuphana University Lüneburg. The admission to a doctorate at Leuphana University Lüneburg and the enrolment as doctoral student are therefore required with the start of the scholarship. Those who already hold a doctoral degree are not eligible for a scholarship. 

All doctoral candidates at Leuphana are members of a doctoral research group and complete doctoral courses to the extent of 30 CP. Information on admission to doctorate, the doctoral research group, and doctoral courses can be found on the Graduate School website.

The following offers are available to scholarship holders through the Graduate School, among others:

  • Inclusion in the research-active Leuphana Center for Organization and Social Transformation (LOST)
  • Unique doctoral program in the “Embracing Transformation” context featuring interdisciplinary seminars on transformation research and an exclusive professional program on “transformative leadership and responsibility”
  • Access to dedicated office space within Leuphana’s outstanding campus facilities
  • Application-based funding from the Qualification Fund for conference participation, summer schools, and research stays
  • Advice and (career) coaching from professionally trained staff
  • Close subject-specific supervision based on the multiple-supervisor principle and using mandatory supervision agreements as well as planning and progress meetings

Please submit your application for the scholarship via Leuphana's scholarship application portal.

The application must include the following documents uploaded to the portal:

  • Cover letter
    • Including evidence on the above-mentioned desired personal attributes with around 100 words each
    • Indicating which professor at the School of Management and Technology you consider suitable to supervise your doctoral project in the topic area “Organizing in Times of Crisis”
  • A short proposal of ideas for your research (around 500 words)
  • Curriculum vitae including a description of your academic career and previous research activities
  • Certificates relevant to your previous academic qualifications, usually from your master's degree (in German or English; officially certified translations if in other languages)
  • If already available, notification of admission to doctorate at the School of Management and Technology

Please address general questions regarding the scholarship to Prof. Dr. Laura Venz (laura.venz@leuphana.de). For academic or content-related questions concerning the specific topic area “Organizing in Times of Crisis”, please contact Prof. Dr. Elke Schüssler (elke.schuessler@leuphana.de). 

Application deadline: 12 March 2026