phd business netherlands

Take the first step in your Business & Management research career

PhD in Business and Management

The ABRI PhD Program in Business and Management is a challenging program that will help you leverage your talent for doing research. Our program, along with the mentorship of a dedicated supervisory team, will support your development into a leading scholar, teacher, and influential thinker in international business and management research. During the 4-year rigorous training trajectory, you will acquire the academic foundations of business and management research, learn theoretical knowledge and methodological skills for conducting independent research in your field of choice, and develop 3+ academic papers that will form the body of your PhD dissertation. What does this PhD programme deliver?

Through this PhD program in Business and Management we support you in:

• Learning to conduct high quality research
• Publishing research in international peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Becoming a valuable member of, and a contributor to a vibrant academic community

The PhD program in Business and Management at a glance:

• The starting date for externally funded PhD positions is flexible.
• Duration: 4 years
• The PhD in Business and Management is a full-time program
• Most courses and training activities will take place at the campus of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (during Covid also online)
• Fully-funded PhD positions (including a generous salary and financial support for conferences, international research visits, data collection and other research expenses) are available on a competitive basis
• Tuition fees for 2025 will be announced shortly.

View all admission requirements, costs & practical information 

Accreditations

Discover your PhD program in Business and Management

The PhD programme is a structured four-year training programme. The learning process will follow a curriculum that ensures you acquire the academic foundations, theoretical knowledge, and methodological skills relevant for conducting high-quality research in your field of choice.

Throughout your trajectory, you will be mentored by team of supervisors who are experts in your desired field of research. Right at the beginning, they will help you develop a training and supervision plan entailing the course work and other training activities necessary to become an expert in your field. In the first year, you will focus on your course work and the development of a research proposal, which will be reviewed before you advance to the second year. In the remaining three years, you will focus on the development of scientific papers, which will eventually become part of the PhD dissertation and can be submitted for publication in international peer-reviewed journals.

In addition, you will get the opportunity participate in ABRI research seminars, present your work at international conferences, and acquire skills regarding other aspects of an academic career such as teaching and project management.

Drive innovation and change, with a PhD in Business and Management!

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Related study programmes

Part-time PhD programme in Business

Would you like a word of advice?

Please contact the ABRI Director of Doctoral Education Dr. Maria Tims.

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• Dr. David Kroon
• Associate Professor of Strategy & Organization
• Scientific Director ABRI
• [email protected]

• Prof. dr. Maria Tims
• Full Professor
• Director Doctoral Education ABRI
• [email protected]

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A doctoral degree from the Maastricht University School of Business and Economics opens up career paths, both in academia and in the business world. Researchers have the opportunity to make real contributions to international scientific literature on companies and markets. During your PhD programme at the School of Business and Economics, you will gain a deeper understanding of how companies and markets function; acquire methodologies to conduct sound research; develop advanced theoretical and quantitative skills; and, gain in-depth knowledge of several specialised subject areas.

Find information for:

Visiting/exchange phd candidate.

More information

External PhD candidate

Sbe phd candidate, phd vacancies.

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• PhD in Management

September 2025

Launch your academic career

The Erasmus Full-time PhD Programme in Management and Economics is a fully-funded, English-based programme focused on developing and nurturing international academic talent.

The programme is hosted by the Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM). Founded by RSM and Erasmus School of Economics (ESE), ERIM is committed to research excellence: Offering outstanding education, together with leading-edge facilities and generous funding, ERIM is one of the best places to launch your academic career.

Completing the full-time PhD programme leads to a PhD degree from RSM.

With PhD candidates representing more than 30 nationalities, you will join a community of some of the most promising academics from a variety of backgrounds

You will have access to cutting edge research facilities, electronic journals and databases, funding opportunities, as well as conferences and research seminars

Working within the ERIM community, you will receive personal supervision by distinguished international professors who will expertly guide your progress with genuine interest

Programme details

Corresponding to our research programmes, we offer five specialisations:

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.

We are eager to help jumpstart the careers of promising PhD candidates pursuing high-impact research in strategic management and entrepreneurship! Our doctoral programme combines gaining an in-depth understanding of core strategy topics , developing a thorough command of different research methods and skills , and hands-on training of getting high-impact research published. Joining the PhD programme means joining a department with a highly collaborative and cutting-edge research culture in which faculty members and PhD candidates work on topics that cover nearly all domains of the wider strategic management and entrepreneurship fields.

Every academic year, we admit about three internally and several externally funded, promising doctoral candidates, who follow a range of doctoral courses, work on joint and supervised papers, and hold conference or workshop presentations. The Department welcomes excellent candidates from diverse disciplinary and national backgrounds. We look for highly motivated candidates with a strong research orientation, as evidenced, for example, by an intriguing master thesis or research article. For more information, you may contact PhD Coordinator Dr. Brian Pinkham .

PhD candidates enjoy excellent study and research facilities at ERIM.

• ERIM Support Programmes : Financial support for research-related activities
• Erasmus Behavioural Lab (EBL) : For conducting behavioural experiments
• Erasmus Survey Centre (ESC) : Advanced software and servers to design and conduct surveys
• Erasmus Data Service Centre (EDSC) : Access to financial and social science databases
• Academic Licenses and Databases : Specialised research software and access to more than 250 databases

Admission to our full-time PhD progamme is highly competitive - securing a spot ensures you join a vibrant community of some of the most talented researchers in the world. Find complete details on our eligibility criteria and selection procedure below.

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).

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:

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.

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.

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.

For any questions, please refer to the details above or in the Application section (see left), or check out our FAQs below.

If you wish to apply for the programme but were unable to meet the application deadline or have specific questions not addressed in the FAQs, feel free to reach out to the ERIM Full-time PhD Office for assistance at [email protected] .

Find complete details on how to apply for the ERIM full-time PhD programme below.

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 or fax are not accepted.

For your application to be considered, please prepare and submit the following documents using the online application form:

• Curriculum Vitae (in English): A comprehensive overview of your academic and professional background.
• Certified diplomas: Provide a certified copy of each academic diploma in its original language. Certified copies must bear the original signature and seal of the issuing office. If you have not yet completed your current degree programme, submit the diploma as soon as it is available.
• Certified translations of diplomas: If your diplomas are not in English or Dutch, include a certified translation. If a translation is not available from the issuing office, a translation with the original signature of a sworn translator is acceptable.
• Certified academic transcripts: Submit a certified copy of all academic transcripts (grade lists) in the original language. Certified copies should have the original signature and seal of the issuing office. If your degree is still in progress, submit a provisional grade list. This document should be no older than one month at the time of application and must be issued or verified by the registrar's office or examination administration. Submit the final transcript as soon as it is available.
• Certified translations of transcripts: If your transcripts are not in English or Dutch, include a certified translation. Translations should either come from the issuing office or bear the original signature of a sworn translator.
• Academic references: Two academic reference letters are required (only academic references are accepted). In the online application form, please include the email address, affiliation, and position of each referee and let them know that ERIM may contact them directly to request their reference letter. There is no specific format required for these letters. While two references are mandatory, you may include a third if you wish.
• GMAT/GRE: Ideally, a score in the 85th percentile or above. If you do not have a GMAT/GRE score, we may consider other evidence of excellence, such as top grades (top 15%), prior research experience, publications, degrees from renowned institutions, or other output documenting scientific engagement. Scores must be less than five years old and sent directly to ERIM by the test provider. GMAT : ERIM institution code QK8-CX-23 ("Erasmus University - Rotterdam School of Management – Erim Gs/PhD") GRE : ERIM institution code 7103 ("Erasmus University ERIM")
• English proficiency (for non-native speakers): If English is not your native language, you will need to submit language test scores. Scores must be less than 2 years old and submitted to ERIM. Applicants who completed their entire university education in English may request a waiver, upon which ERIM makes the final decision. TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 100 (a score of at least 23 in all sections). TOEFL paper-based: Minimum score of 600. TOEFL: ERIM institution code 8268 IELTS: Minimum score of 7.5 (a score of at least 6.5 in all sections).
• Statement of Purpose (motivation letter): Describe your motivation to apply for a PhD position at ERIM and why you are suited for this role.
• Research Statement: An outline of the research questions you are interested in exploring and the methodologies you plan to use to address them (maximum 2 pages, 11-point font, single-spaced). Optionally, you may include academic references if relevant.
• Publications, conference submissions and/or other output documenting scientific engagement: Optional but beneficial, particularly if relevant to your proposed area of research.

Only complete applications, submitted electronically with all documents included, will be considered. Applications submitted via email or fax will not be considered.

• Market Organization of the Dutch Energy System Published: Friday, 1 November 2024 Deadline: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
• Doctoral Research in Marketing Published: Friday, 1 November 2024 Deadline: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
• PhD position in Decision Neuroscience Published: Friday, 1 November 2024 Deadline: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
• Addressing the gendered odds of new venture founding and funding Published: Friday, 1 November 2024 Deadline: Saturday, 30 November 2024
• PhD position in Organizational Behavior (OB)/Human Resource Management (HRM) Published: Friday, 1 November 2024 Deadline: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
• PhD in Sustainability and Management Published: Friday, 1 November 2024 Deadline: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
• Advancing Research on Innovation Management Published: Friday, 1 November 2024 Deadline: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
• PhD in Research in Information Systems and Business Analytics Published: Friday, 1 November 2024 Deadline: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
• PhD in Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship Published: Friday, 1 November 2024 Deadline: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
• Research in Accounting Published: Friday, 1 November 2024 Deadline: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
• PhD in Finance Published: Friday, 1 November 2024 Deadline: Wednesday, 15 January 2025

You can view our current PhD candidates by department below:

Ehsan Aghamohammadzadeh

PhD Candidate

Mahsa Alirezaei

Anne Fleur Xiao Hwa Dijkhorst

Chi Tran Yen Doan

Clarisse Lucienne Sophie Dupont

Miheer Prafulla Agnihotri

Begüm Bilgin

Former PhD Candidate

José Luis Gallegos

Claudia Heese

Yaari Hodara

Longjiao Li

Almira Abilova

Leonard Diederik van Brussel

Begum Celiktutan

Youngjin Chun

Julia Marie Esters

Sepehr Etminanrad

Eline ten Bosch

Koen-Jan Leendert van den Bosch

Jean-Paul Guyon van Brakel

Francesca Caucci

Ratchanon Chotiputsilp

Vaibhav Grewal

Emeka Raphael Agu

Alexandra Claudia Mariëlle Bul

Eva Zhirong Fan

Marton Janos Gera

Dana Hanouni

Discover our students' testimonials and PhD pitches in the videos below.

Explore inspiring stories from our PhD students by watching their testimonials:

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Watch our PhD candidates present their research in job market pitch videos:

An academic career is the most popular choice among ERIM PhD graduates, and in fact around 70 per cent of ERIM PhD alumni continue with an academic career. ERIM PhD alumni are now working at many of the best universities and business schools in the world – see by region below:

• Concordia University
• Cornell University
• Florida State University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• McGill University
• Michigan State University
• New York University
• Northwestern University
• Pennsylvania State University
• University of California Los Angeles
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Florida
• University of Maryland
• University of Toronto
• BI Norwegian Business School
• Bilkent University
• Bocconi University
• Católica Lisbon
• ESMT Berlin
• ESSEC Business School
• IE Business School
• IMD Business School
• King’s College London
• Koç University
• Kühne Logistics University
• Luiss University
• Nova School of Business and Economics
• Pompeu Fabra University
• Saïd Business School of University of Oxford
• Tilburg University
• University of Amsterdam
• University of Cambridge
• Warwick Business School
• Fudan University
• Renmin University of China
• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Singapore Management University
• Monash University
• Queensland University of Technology
• The University of Melbourne

ERIM values and understands the importance of maintaining the wellbeing of our PhDs. Support is available so that all candidates may perform while feeling their best throughout their PhD journeys.

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.

For more information regarding physical, mental, and social wellbeing, as well as support for specific groups or impairments, please visit Healthy & Safe Working on MyEUR. There is also a dedicated section for PhD Candidates and PhD Wellbeing on MyEUR.

The ERIM PhD Council (EPC) serves as an advisory body within the ERIM organization, representing the interests of all PhD candidates affiliated with ERIM. The council is comprised of PhD candidates, who elect a board from among themselves. The EPC's primary mission is to advocate for the needs and interests of PhD candidates throughout their doctoral journey, from their initial appointment through to the completion of their degree.

• Alexandra Bul , Chair & Academic Liaison
• Marloes Hagens , Treasurer
• Natasha Sutherland , Community Liaison
• Lonneke Weterings , Interaction Manager
• Quality and scope of the PhD program
• Access to facilities for PhD candidates
• Review and support of research proposals
• Supervisory relationships
• Enhancing collaboration and communication among PhD candidates
• New Year’s Dinner
• Squash Tournament
• Lunches and social gatherings
• Regular meetings with all PhD candidates

For inquiries, contact the EPC at [email protected] .

More information about the full-time PhD programme

Director of Full-Time PhD Programme

E-mail [email protected]

[email protected]

Team Lead PhD Programmes

Admissions Officer

Course Coordinator

PhD Series Coordinator & Confidential Counsellor for PhDs