MBA Fundamentals Program
Succeed in Industry and Academia
This MBA Fundamentals Program is tailored for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in the natural sciences and engineering. While working on their theses, the program equips them with the ability to connect their research with advanced management expertise in order to address today's challenges. Furthermore, the program provides a strong foundation for entering the industry and advancing in academia.
Scientific Methods
Go above and beyond normal graduate programs with the MBA Fundamentals Program. Many employers are searching for candidates with management expertise for a successful start in life in industry. The MBA Fundamentals Program provides doctoral and postdoctoral researchers with knowledge on management topics early in their careers. This knowledge is conveyed using scientific methods that are easily accessible to engineers and natural scientists. Participants acquire an additional management qualification, thereby fostering further career options.
Download MBA Fundamentals flyer
The flexible choice of the unit order permits different models of completing the program. Our advice is to do all six out of nine units during the three years of your doctoral research period. Additionally, it is also possible to complete the MBA Fundamentals Program after finishing your doctorate, while working in the industry.
Personal benefits
- Specifically tailored to researchers of natural/engineering sciences
- Stand out from the crowd
- Enhance your career opportunities in useful business subjects alongside your research
- Perfect stepping stone for a career outside academia
Structural Benefits
- Great opportunity to network with other young researchers
- Professional management training in highly relevant topics
- Certificate of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Individual start without application deadline
Key Facts
- For doctoral researchers and postdoctoral researchers
- Dedicated to engineers, and natural scientists
- Language of instruction is English
- Six out of nine units, each five days (Total: 30 days with 18 ECTS points)
- No application deadline, individual start possible
- Completion during doctoral research or partly on the job
- Cost per unit: 2,750 EUR
Learning Nuggets
- Gain knowledge of project management and its tools as well as project planning
- Understand accounting practices and principles of financing & business ethics
- Learn about marketing strategies, decision analysis and how to deal with multiple divisions in a company
- Understand how to build and guide your team
- Learn about start-up strategies and patents
- Discover the hidden potential of digital transformation
- Understand challenges companies are facing today e.g. in supply chain management
- Explore how sustainability shapes strategic R&D and corporate innovation
- Learn how communication affects negotiations, intercultural skills, leadership and conflict management
Dr. Radwanul Siddique
"Participation in the MBA Fundamentals Program changed my viewpoint of research as it assisted me not only to realize how important it is to bring a lab research into existence (corporate market) but also how to pursue that path."
Dr. Radwanul Siddique, Team Leader Manager at Samsung Electronics America
Dr. Oliver Kahl
"The MBA Fundamentals Program is an excellent complement to the mostly technical experiences gathered as a PhD student. It became an unexpected door opener for my career. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who contemplates a career outside academia."
Dr. Oliver Kahl, Principal, MIG CAPITAL AG
Dr. Ho Hoai Duc
"The MBA program made me a more rounded person. I learned a great overview of the business world and gained more confidence."
Dr. Ho Hoai Duc Nguyen, Principle System Architect at ams OSRAM
Application Process
Please contact us first via the inquiry form or your direct contact person at one of the partner universities.
After that, fill out an application form for the subsequent binding registration and send it back to us together with your curriculum vitae and the acceptance at faculty/supervision agreement.