Your doctoral thesis with the Volkswagen PhD programme

Our PhD programme offers you the opportunity to scientifically develop future topics relevant to the company and to obtain your PhD under the best conditions in cooperation with your university.

PhD programme

Briefly noted

Target group: University graduates who want to do a PhD

We offer the programme in:
Wolfsburg, Hannover, Kassel, Braunschweig, Salzgitter and Emden

Business areas: We offer the PhD programme in all departments

Application period: All year round

Start: Possible at any time

Duration: Three years

Remaining time, --:--

Overview

Requirements
If you want to apply for a position in our PhD programme, you need to have completed a university degree with one of the following degrees before you start working with us:
Master’s degree
Diploma
Unfortunately, a PhD is not possible with a bachelor’s level degree.
You can find all requirements in the respective job postings on our job portal.
Doctoral supervisor
You don’t need to have a doctoral supervisor to apply. However, it is recommended that you have had initial discussions concerning your fundamental doctoral project.
By the start of the doctoral programme at the latest, you must have a doctoral supervisor at your university.
Good to know: Your department can support you in finding a suitable doctoral supervisor.
Dates, deadlines & duration
Places on the PhD programme are advertised throughout the year. You can find an up-to-date overview of all vacancies on our job portal, where you can apply online in just a few minutes.
When does the PhD programme start?
As a rule, the PhD programme starts at the beginning of a month. You can then discuss the exact start date with the corresponding department.
How long is the programme?
The PhD programme at Volkswagen is generally designed to take three years. In justified cases, this period may be extended to up to four years.
Interruption for parental leave
If you wish to take parental leave while in our PhD programme, this is not a problem. In that case, the three-year programme will simply be put on hold.
Locations & divisions
Our PhD positions are advertised across all key divisions, particularly in Research and Development, IT, and Production.
Most of the positions are based in Wolfsburg. However, the sites in Hanover (Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles), Braunschweig, Emden, Kassel, and Salzgitter also offer the PhD programme.
Identifying a topic
Generally, the topic of your doctorate is already roughly determined by the job vacancy. We’ll work with you, the department and your doctoral supervisor to adjust and customise the topic.
You must have received confirmation of supervision from your doctoral advisor by the time your contract with us begins, at the latest. Our departments can assist you with finding a suitable professor and coordinating with them.
Fields of study
At Volkswagen, PhD programmes are available across a wide range of academic disciplines. What matters is the research question and its practical relevance – rather than a single academic discipline. PhD projects are particularly common in the fields of research and development and IT. However, other disciplines are also welcome.
Typical degree programmes for a PhD at Volkswagen include:
Engineering Sciences:
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Automotive Engineering
Mechatronics
Industrial Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Production Engineering
IT & Computer Science:
Computer Science
Business Informatics
Software Engineering
Data Science
Artificial Intelligence
IT Security
Natural Sciences:
Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics
Materials Science and Engineering
Other Fields of Study:
Business Administration
Economics
Psychology
Social Sciences and Humanities
This list is not exhaustive. The key factor is always the fit between the degree programme, the intended research, and the department. Requirements for specific fields of study are outlined in the individual job postings on our job portal.
Support and supervisor
To help you complete your doctoral thesis successfully, a supervisor from your department at Volkswagen is on hand to provide assistance with specific issues related to the content of your thesis as well as any general questions. They will support you with setting up your network, arrange contacts in relevant adjacent departments, make your doctoral thesis project known across departments, support you in the procurement of data and other resources, and ensure that you are actively anchored in your department.
The Volkswagen Group Academy supports you with interdisciplinary and specialist colloquia, free interdisciplinary seminars, and seminars on academic research. Moreover, you have the opportunity to have your doctoral thesis published free of charge in the in-house publication series.
Working hours & mobile working
You should aim to complete your doctoral thesis at your university within three years to at least the “preliminary draft” stage (i.e. all results of your research have been finalised and are largely written up) while still gaining work experience. Therefore, it is clearly stipulated that out of the 35 hours of working time per week, a minimum of 51% of that time is for the preparation of your academic research. You should discuss the exact split with your department.
Can I work remotely?
In consultation with your department, you may also work remotely from time to time, provided your duties allow for this. You can see the maximum amount of mobile working available for each role in our vacancies on the job portal - for example up to 20%, up to 40%, up to 60% or up to 80%.
What we offer you
To ensure you can complete your doctoral thesis under the best possible conditions, we offer you:
Competitive remuneration
30 days of paid holiday
24 December & 31 December off
35-hour week
Mobile working (where possible)
Learning opportunities for scientific work and interdisciplinary qualifications
Use of a separate PhD programme room with clean desk workstations
Participation in the PhD college for scientific exchange with representatives of the apprenticeship and other doctoral candidates of the Volkswagen Group.
Publication of the doctoral thesis in the Volkswagen Group Academy publication series (optional)
Special terms for the purchase and leasing of vehicles and bicycles.
Is there a permanent employment option?
About half a year before the end of your programme, we will talk to you about the options for a transition to permanent employment. This requires both an appropriate vacancy and excellent performance during your time with us.
In addition, the “draft version” of the doctoral thesis (i.e. all the results of your research have been finalised and are largely written up) must have been completed and submitted to your supervising university.

First-hand insights

Patricia - PhD student in automation engineering

Click here to view the video portrait of our PhD student Patricia.

Dhruvin - PhD student in Robotics

Click here to watch the video portrait of our robotics PhD student Dhruvin.

Jessika - PhD student in Robotics & AI

Click here to view the video portrait of our PhD student Jessika.

Programme sequence

First year: Preparation and start

Your first year usually begins with the introductory interview and getting to know the department and the Society of Doctoral Researchers. In consultation with your supervisor at Volkswagen, you will work on your research project during this time.

Interdisciplinary seminars support you in this and prepare you for writing your dissertation. The “Introduction to the world of Volkswagen” seminar also gives you an exciting and valuable insight into the company.

To let you get to know as many different facets of Volkswagen as possible, you will also be deployed in production in the first year (3 weeks), so that you can then justifiably say that you have also built cars. :-)

Throughout the year, your supervisor at Volkswagen will conduct feedback meetings with you to review the current status of your research and resolve any issues early.

Second year: Consolidation and implementation

Your second year with us is dedicated to the preparation of your dissertation. To best combine theory and practice, you will also work on projects in your supervising department. At the same time, interdisciplinary seminars should help you to approach and implement your dissertation in the best possible way.

On PRO.MOTION day, our annual PhD event, you can present your dissertation project with a poster to numerous managers and board members for the first time.

Regular feedback meetings with your supervisor at Volkswagen are also an integral part of the second year, as are the annual employee appraisal.

Third year: Completion

In the third and final year of the PhD programme, you will complete your research up to the “preliminary draft”. This means that all the results of your research have been completed and formulated to the greatest possible extent. In this year, you will also be supported by interdisciplinary seminars. In addition, you can also present your work with a poster and a presentation at the PhD day PRO.MOTION. You will then also present your research to your department.

Transition to employment after completion?

Together instead of alone

We know that a PhD is a demanding undertaking that requires time, perseverance, and in-depth specialist knowledge. That is why at Volkswagen, we will not leave you to tackle it on your own. We offer a range of support services and a strong network to help you through the day-to-day challenges of your PhD. This creates a framework that provides support, facilitates dialogue, and helps you to navigate even challenging periods with confidence.

Your department is there to support you throughout your PhD programme
Your department will be an important point of contact throughout your PhD and will provide you with guidance as you draft your doctoral thesis, when you have questions, and when putting your research into a practical and business context. In addition, your department can help to provide you with the equipment or software that you need for your research or assist you in building your professional network.
Help with finding a doctoral supervisor
Finding a suitable doctoral supervisor is a crucial – and often challenging – step for many people on the path to a PhD. To ensure you do not have to go through this process on your own, our departments can assist you with finding a suitable supervisor through their university partnerships. Together, we’ll examine which academic specialization suits you best and which supervisory arrangement makes the most sense for your PhD topic.
Get your PhD off to a good start – with the right seminars
During your PhD, you can attend a range of seminars designed to provide you with targeted support writing your thesis. The seminars focus on typical issues that can arise during the course of a dorctoral thesis, such as methodology or structuring.
In addition, you can also use self-study resources to further your knowledge or explore specific topics in greater depth – flexibly and at your own pace.
The “Journey into the Volkswagen World” seminar is one of the key components, providing you with a comprehensive introduction to the company. You will get to know Volkswagen beyond your own department and gain an insight into the Group’s structures, interrelationships and how the Group works together. This often helps doctoral candidates to better understand where their own work is positioned within the broader context of Volkswagen.
Networking with other doctoral candidates
If you are taking part in the Volkswagen PhD programme, you can also join the PhD college (German: Doktorandenkolleg). This is a network of PhD students who, just like you, are in the middle of their doctoral studies. The exchange is intentionally open and straightforward: sometimes technical, sometimes organisational, and often very practical when it comes to sharing experiences, tips or everyday life during a PhD programme.
The PhD college plays a particularly important role for doctoral candidates who are new to one of our campuses during their PhD. The community will enable you to quickly get to know other doctoral candidates who also work or live in your area. This makes settling in far easier – not just in the workplace, but beyond it too.
You can also actively participate in working groups and help shape the topics discussed. This creates a network that extends beyond the PhD programme with professional and personal benefits and across different locations.
Extensive leisure activities organised by the PhD college
Let’s be honest: Pursuing a PhD at Volkswagen means demanding work, responsibility, and academic rigour. That’s why we do not want to neglect the fun parts!
The PhD college offers numerous opportunities to network and enjoy shared experiences outside of work. These include regular get-togethers, sporting activities, and group outings. From boules and hiking trips to study trips abroad and even the PhD Cup against other companies – this brings doctoral candidates from different departments together.
Those who enjoy being active will find a range of sports groups, such as dragon boat racing (including competitions), swimming, cycling, running, skiing, bouldering, and squash. This creates a strong network that only provides both professional support and also enriches your day-to-day life as a PhD student.

Living & Accommodation

Learn more here about apartments offered by Volkswagen Immobilien GmbH in Wolfsburg - or see for yourself how well commuting works.

A young woman is sitting on a grey sofa and looking at her phone

Furnished temporary living

If you would prefer to live within your own four walls, to better focus on your dissertation, then the following offer from Volkswagen Immobilien GmbH might interest you: a fully furnished temporary flat with a short notice period.

Learn more about the offer

Furnished temporary living

Learn more about the offer

Night-time view from Wolfsburg Central Station towards the Volkswagen plant

Travel and commuting

If you are not staying at one of our locations, then take a look at our site on travel and commuting.

Learn more about commuting

he Volkswagen plant and the Autostadt in Wolfsburg on the Mittelland Canal at dusk

Our sites in Germany

Learn more about our locations in Wolfsburg, Hannover, Braunschweig, Kassel, Emden and Salzgitter, where the doctoral programme is available.

Explore our sites

Application

Apply online for your doctorate here

A woman kneels on the floor and types on a tablet computer

If you would like to apply, you will find all current offers and information about applying here.

Application possible all year round

Start according to vacancy or by arrangement

Current PhD programme offers

Notice

Partnership between university and Volkswagen

You complete your PhD in the conventional way at your university. Responsibility for ensuring compliance with the PhD regulations and for your acceptance as a doctoral candidate lies solely with your university. We at Volkswagen will support you in practice as a reliable partner within the framework of our three-year PhD programme. In this respect, Volkswagen is guided by the joint position of BDA, BDI, HRK (German Rectors’ Conference of 21 March 2018) and the Stifterverband on doctoral degrees offered in partnership between doctorate-conferring universities and companies.

Download: Joint position on doctoral degrees offered in partnership between doctorate-conferring universities and companies (in German)