Doctorate with Industry -
Information for (Future) PhDs
A doctorate in cooperation with industry combines academic training with collaboration with a company or a non-university research institution and offers the opportunity to conduct research with a specific practical focus.
Benefits of a doctorate with industry at a glance
- Research with immediate practical relevance
- Connecting science with industry
- Financial security through employment with the company
- Building a network in academia and industry
- Strong career prospects after earning a doctorate
Identify challenges and solve them together
Being associated with two systems brings typical challenges along with its advantages.
A dissertation must be published after the successful completion of the doctorate. The details are governed by the respective doctoral regulations. In the case of a doctorate in cooperation with industry, this may conflict with the company’s confidentiality interests. Therefore, matters such as publication, confidentiality, patents, and rights of use should be formally addressed before the doctorate begins in order to reconcile academic requirements with the company’s legitimate interests.
We are currently developing:
- Guidelines for drafting a cooperation agreement
- Recommendations for drafting a confidentiality agreement
Would you like to contribute? We welcome your perspectives and experiences. Please feel free to contact: julia.grey@ingra.uni-halle.de.
Collaboration between universities, companies and doctoral candidates requires ongoing communication. Regular discussions promote transparency and help prevent miscommunication.
We are currently developing:
- Guidelines for supervision meetings as part of a doctorate in cooperation with industry
- Template for meeting minutes to record agreements in a binding manner
In a doctorate in cooperation with industry, you’ll work in different settings – at the university and at the company. This can lead to differing expectations regarding research, work tasks, scheduling, or how to handle results. Clear communication early on helps avoid conflicts and find solutions together.
- At the start of the collaboration, discuss responsibilities, goals, working hours, supervision, and communication channels.
- Document important agreements and clarify any subsequent changes together with all parties involved.
- Use regular check-in meetings with your contacts at the university and the company to address developments and open questions early on.
- Openly address any potential tensions between academic requirements and corporate interests early on.
Even with careful communication, conflicts cannot always be avoided – what matters most is addressing them promptly and constructively.
- Don’t wait until problems arise; instead, seek dialogue with those directly involved as soon as possible.
- In the case of severe conflicts, involve ombudspersons or other designated counseling and mediation services. These resources offer support in addressing conflicts early on, developing solutions together, and fostering constructive collaboration.
Networking & Community
Networking opens up a variety of new opportunities for you: Academic exchange ensures you have a solid academic foundation and visibility in your field, while professional contacts can open up new perspectives and support your future career development.
Interacting with other (industry) doctoral candidates provides you with support in tackling the unique challenges associated with pursuing a doctorate.
- Be active in your professor’s chair, institute and department, and seek out opportunities to interact with other doctoral candidates and researchers.
- Take advantage of conferences, workshops and colloquia to exchange ideas with peers and present your own research.
- Use professional academic societies and academic networks to establish and strengthen connections with researchers in your field.
- Build connections within the company that extend beyond your own project, such as with colleagues in other company departments.
- Take advantage of professional associations and industry networks for professional and career-related exchanges in your industry.
COMING SOON: Information on how you can connect with other (industry) doctoral candidates in your region will be available soon.