KLU’s PhD Program
KLU’s PhD program is a four-year program. The course program is tailored to every doctoral
student’s specific focal research area: Our doctoral students have opportunities to attend
courses that teach methods and skills relevant to their research activities offered by KLU as
well as our partner universities and broader networks.
Upon successful completion, a doctoral student will obtain the (German) degree of Doctor of
Management Sciences/Wirtschaftswissenschaften (Dr. rer. pol.) or the (international) degree
of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Admission and Eligibility
Admission to the program is competitive and based on the applicant’s excellence as well as the match in research interest with the university’s resident faculty. We encourage you to apply immediately, since the reviews of applicants and the selection of scholarship awardees start upon receipt of applications. Evaluation of the applications is done on a rolling basis as they are submitted.
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet these minimum requirements:

• Completed or about to complete a Master’s degree or equivalent (300 ECTS) from an accredited university with a good international reputation with the German grade 2.0 or better. Grade equivalents are required for international applicants.
• English language proficiency according to KLU requirements (if the official language of the previous degree wasn’t English)
• Support from at least one KLU professor.

Full details about the application procedure can be found here. You should submit:

• Cover letter (incl. name of the member of the resident faculty who is willing to act as your supervisor).
• Research statement.
• Video statement (max. 3 minutes).
• A full resume (CV).
• Two references (with full contact details).
• Evidence of your English proficiency according to KLU requirements (if the official language of the previous degree wasn’t English).
• Bachelor’s degree certificate and full transcript of records
• Master’s degree certificate and full transcript of records
• Diploma Supplements (if available)
• University grading system information (required for degrees obtained outside
• Germany)
• Official translations of all degree documents and transcripts of records not issued in
• English or German
• Quality indicators for your individual excellence (e.g., prices, scholarships),
• excellence in your program (e.g., class rank, thesis grade/rank), and your university
• (e.g., university rankings)

Scholarship and Facilities
The KLU scholarship is €1,750 per month (tax-free). All PhD students have the opportunity
to teach in the KLU’s degree programs, present in research seminars, participate in university
services as part of the PhD program.
The annual research and training budget is €3,500 in year one and two and €6,500 in year
three and four. Moreover, scholarship students receive a full waiver of tuition.
All these are for a period of four years.

Kühne Logistics University
Kühne Logistics University is a private research university in Hamburg, Germany. Its 34
faculty span various management and logistics disciplines, with an objective to foster
knowledge, education, and outreach in order to enhance leadership within the logistics
industry and the logistics function.
In its first decade, KLU has managed to establish an outstanding research reputation, as is
clear in research rankings and in KLU’s faculty publishing in the world’s top journals in
several disciplines.
Since its foundation in 2010, KLU has been enabling PhD students to become outstanding
and influential academics, with research excellence and a good eye for the industry we study
and serve. As the first graduates start their academic and industry careers, KLU has the full
right to award doctoral degrees.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us at phd@klu.org. Kindly apply
through klu-jobs@m.personio.de via the "Apply" Button.