PhD scho­lars­hip in In­ter­na­tio­nal Bu­si­ness at CBS

Copenhagen Business School invites applications for a PhD scholarship at the Department of International Economics, Government and Business (EGB). The expected starting date is September 1, 2026.

EGB is a multidisciplinary department that conducts high-quality research in the fields of international business and political science / analysis that has direct relevance to business, decision-makers and the broader public whilst also addressing contemporary societal challenges.

Applicants for the PhD scholarship should submit a research proposal that identifies a topic and research question(s). We welcome proposals that aim to research:

• Multinational enterprise strategy, investment, and internationalization processes
• Intersections of international business and public policy
• Strategic responsiveness, dynamic adaptation, and/or resilience of Multinational Enterprises (MNEs)
• Internationally dispersed business intelligence, knowledge, and capabilities for international strategizing
• Global uncertainty and geopolitical disruptions in an international business context

To learn more about the research and teaching profile of the department, please visit the departmental webpage here. You should also consult the EGB PhD page here. The department’s PhD fellows will gain much from our research seminars and other activities. At the same time, applicants should consider the overall contribution that they themselves can make to the department’s research environment.

The three-year PhD programme at CBS gives candidates the opportunity to conduct research under the supervision of CBS faculty, supported by research-related PhD courses. The programme is highly international, and you will be expected to participate in international research conferences and research visits abroad. Applicants should also be ready to undertake a range of teaching activities. See the CBS homepage for more information about the PhD programme, here

CBS PhD graduates are not only highly regarded in higher education and research institutions but also in government and business where their research qualifications are in increasing demand. Recent EGB graduates have secured positions in leading universities, consultancies and government agencies.

Application and admission requirements 

To be considered the applicant should:

• have a weighted grade point average of at least 8.2 on the Danish 7-point grading scale for the bachelor's and master's degree combined or alternatively a weighted grade point average must be at least 9.5 for the master's degree alone. If the grade point average is not met, documentation for being in the top 40% of the class is also accepted. In rare cases, the grade requirement can be waived. The department will give preference to applicants with excellent grades from their universities.
• have a Master's degree corresponding to the 3 + 2 Bologna process
• have received a grade of 10 (or equivalent) for the Master's thesis according to the Danish 7-point grading scale (https://eng.uvm.dk/general-overview/7-point-grading-scale)
• have completed the Master's programme before starting the PhD programme at CBS Please note: the applicant may apply for enrolment before the completion of the Master’s degree. In this case, enrolment will be conditional upon the Master’s degree having been successfully completed by the time of enrolment.
• have an educational background in business and / or the social sciences 
• have a command of academic English at a very high level. If the applicant’s Master thesis was written in English this will be considered as sufficient evidence of this.

The project and the application  

Applicants are invited to submit proposals for potential PhD projects. These plans, which may not exceed five pages, should be structured around specific research questions. They should, furthermore, incorporate a brief explanation of the aims of the project, a positioning of the project in an appropriate research field, a description of the research literature already published within that field and the ways in which the project will add to that literature, an outline and explanation of the theories and conceptual frameworks that could be included, an outline and explanation of the methods that might be used and a brief plan of the work plan to be undertaken which describes the main phases in the project. Further information can be found here

In addition to the project description, copies of the following must be included:

• diploma for bachelor's and master's degree or other certificates at an equivalent level as well as the grade transcripts
• documentation for being in the top 40% of the class (if grade requirements are not met)
• a concise curriculum vitae (CV)
• a list of articles and publications (if applicable)
• one example of a selected written work (e.g. master's thesis)

Following an offer of employment, the successful applicant has to be enrolled in the CBS PhD School and the offer is conditional upon this. Further information about CBS PhD scholarships and the PhD programme can be found at https://www.cbs.dk/en/research/phd-programme.

Employment and salary

A PhD scholarship runs for a period of three years and includes teaching obligations corresponding to 416 working hours. The scholarships are fully salaried positions, according to the national Danish collective agreement. The monthly salary is currently approximately DKK 29.691,75 up to DKK 36.180, depending on seniority, and a pension contribution totaling 18.07%. The scholarship includes tuition fees, office space, course and travel costs (according to the current CBS agreement). 

Salary level and employment take place in accordance with the Ministry of Finance's agreement with the Academics' Central Organization.
 

Recruitment procedures

The Recruitment Committee shortlists at least two-five applicants to be assessed by the Assessment Committee. Applicants are informed whether their application has proceeded for assessment.

Applicants selected for assessment will be notified about the composition of the Assessment Committee and will receive their personal assessment later. Selected applications will be considered by the committee, which will consider whether the applicant is qualified for the position. A number from amongst those deemed qualified will be invited to introduce themselves and their project at a departmental seminar and attend an interview. Please note that a positive assessment does not automatically result in an interview. Once the recruitment process is completed each applicant will be notified of the outcome of their application. 

Applicants will be kept notified of their status during the recruitment process. Please find guidelines and further information on scholarships and the Doctoral Programme at http://uk.cbs.dk/phd.
 
The application must be sent via the electronic recruitment system, using the link below.  
Copenhagen Business School must receive all application material, including all appendices (see items above), ahead of the deadline, 1 April, 2026.
  
There will be online open meetings to provide further information and answer questions about the post. You can obtain details of these from the department’s PhD Coordinator Eddie Ashbee, ea.egb@cbs.dk. Details about Copenhagen Business School and the department are available at www.cbs.dk