PhD Program
Vorsprung through courage, curiosity, enthusiasm - PhD students at Audi. Shape this Vorsprung with your spirit of exploration and your personality! We offer you freedom and possibilities to implement your ideas, a mentor concept and personal, individual support.
What you can expect
We at Audi are at your side as a reliable and practical application partner during your three-year PhD program. The job announcement describes the thematic framework of your doctorate in advance. Together with you and your academic supervisor, the topic will then be fleshed out. Awarding of your PhD will take place at the university. Your admission as a PhD student is, therefore, the sole responsibility of the university and is governed by the respective PhD regulations.
Find the right job at Audi.
Internal PhD project
As an Audi employee with an employment contract limited to three years, you work on a research project that is relevant for Audi. In doing so, the subject of the dissertation as well as the associated research question is defined in close consultation with the respective university and professor. Internal PhD positions are announced on our job portal.
External PhD project
With an external PhD project, your employment contract is for a position at the respective university and is limited to three years, during which you work on a research project that is relevant for Audi. The specific content is based on the university’s research question and is defined in coordination with all project partners. You can find current research topics and information on the relevant application process on the job portals of the universities or on the Audi job portal.
Proactive applications are unfortunately not possible for organizational reasons.
Insights into the topics of our PhD students
Working independently and with personal responsibility
"I enjoy generating knowledge. And that's exactly what I can do with my PhD project at Audi. Doctoral students face a great challenge, especially at the beginning of a PhD project. During this time, I had great support from my colleagues at Audi. I also had a lot of freedom to define my focal topic myself, to structure it and now to work on it in small parts. It was through this project that I discovered my enthusiasm for research in the field of human-AI interaction."
Julia Graefe, 28, Pre-development interior user experience
Audi as a long-term companion
"Audi is a multinational company where I can develop in the best possible way. I first came to Ingolstadt for an internship, which led to doing my thesis at Audi and now I get to do research on a PhD project. It's a great feeling. I’m currently researching flow acoustics in the ventilation system to increase comfort in premium vehicles. I see an opportunity at Audi for me to get involved in other areas in the future. I would really like to continue working at Audi after my current project, as the car manufacturer offers me great development opportunities."
Asvath Ravichandran, 28, Climate function kit development/regulation/application
Variety through theoretical research with practical relevance
"The interplay between the research at the university and the practical relevance at Audi is ideal for me. People here are in the possession of knowledge that can't be found in books. This knowledge is passed on in order to reach goals together and optimize the driving experience. I'm also impressed by the enthusiasm for technology. When I talk about it with the Audi experts, their eyes really light up. I am completely satisfied with my exciting task in chassis development and with the strong team spirit in the PhD student network – many friendships have already been formed here."
Johannes Köpler, 29, Geometric integration of drive/energy system
Multi-year project enables in-depth research
"In the PhD project, I am working at the University of Stuttgart in cooperation with Audi. I like the fact that I can work intensively on the project 'Holistic Vehicle Dynamic Safety Functions and Sensor/Actuator Fault Detection' for three years. This means that I can focus fully on the further development of the safety systems and take a deep dive into the subject. We repeatedly conduct practical tests of the systems developed in theory by means of test drives. I get to plan and carry out such tests myself and even try out the functions under driving safety-related conditions during cold-testing in Sweden. I find that really exciting."
Max May, 27, Processes/Methods/Tools, Functional safety driving system
Requirements
- University graduates with above-average academic achievements and interest in an industry-related doctorate
- Experience in scientific work
- Practical experience through internships or first professional experience (up to 1 year of professional experience)
- Experience abroad through study and / or internship is desirable
What else do you need to know...
Individual guidance and further educational opportunities
The Audi PhD Program offers you the chance of individual support and further education during your work while providing you with the opportunity to build up an exciting network.
Individual support and further education
<p>During an intermediate feedback meeting, the first year of the PhD program will be discussed with you and both with the supervisor of the department and of the PhD program.</p>
<p>An orientation meeting will take place about 9 months before the end of the PhD program. The aim of this interview is to discuss your plans regarding a possible future with Audi.</p>
<p>At the end of the PhD program, the past three years and further procedures until the PhD degree are discussed.</p>
<p>During the Audi PhD program, students have the opportunity to take part in various seminars on interdisciplinary professional development. It is also possible for you to attend relevant training measures on the initiative of your department.</p>
Networks
<p>The Audi PhD student network offers you the opportunity to network with other Audi PhD students and PhD students in the Group through various events and to exchange ideas. This allows you to benefit from the knowledge of other PhD students and gives you the opportunity to broaden your own horizons.</p>
<p>The network thrives on the initiative and involvement of each individual. You can actively participate at any time and put your interest in contributing to the program by, for example, taking on responsibility as a spokesperson for PhD students or by working in various project groups.</p>
<p>During technical discussions and informal fireside chats with managers and experts from AUDI AG, you have an opportunity to think outside the box and network across departments.</p>
<p>Audi holds a PhD Student Day each year with the aim of networking and exchanging ideas throughout the company on a specialized basis. Representatives of the universities will also be our guests on this day, in order to strengthen the dialogue between science and industry and to share ideas each other.</p>
