What does a doctoral programme in management entail?

A doctoral programme (PhD) offers master's students the opportunity to continue their studies and obtain a higher degree (Bac +8). After successfully writing and defending their thesis, doctoral students are awarded a degree of Doctor in Management.

For a minimum of three years, doctoral students carry out research in the field of their choice (marketing, management, human resources, finance, accounting), thereby increasing their expertise in that field. The PhD students can choose to write their doctoral thesis as a monograph or as a compendium of several shorter academic papers. The first option takes the form of a single document while the second involves writing a minimum of three academic articles with a view to publishing them in a scientific journal.

The doctorate can be financed by either a doctoral contract, a “CIFRE” contract or a research project. Contractual doctoral students have the dual status of student and employee, and thus are able to avail of student benefits while having an employment contract. The minimum gross monthly salary for contractual doctoral students in France is €1,758. This funding is generally granted for three years.

Doctoral activities

Since PhD students conduct research on their chosen subject, doctoral training is highly personalised. However, some stages of the doctoral programme are common to all PhD students:

• Conduct a literature review, i.e. a state-of-the-art detailed analysis of the field based on the reading and analysis of published scientific articles
• Collect data, whether quantitative (e.g. experiments, questionnaires), qualitative (e.g. interviews, observation) or mixed
• Analyse data
• Present research findings at national and international conferences, research laboratory meetings and other events
• Write academic articles to communicate research results
• Teach courses on subjects related to the student’s research project or to research activity in general
• Work in an international context (international collaboration, writing up the thesis in English, living abroad, etc.)

This list of activities is not exhaustive and many other activities may need to be undertaken in the course of the PhD programme.

A different way of studying

The particular dual student-employee status can make it difficult to explain the day-to-day life of a PhD student without direct experience of it. Here are some of the things to expect:

A doctoral student doesn’t only work in the library!

Research laboratories usually have a dedicated office for all doctoral students. It is therefore possible to work every day at the university alongside fellow doctoral students, rather than alone in the library. The login details provided give access to the university's online databases. Although reading is an integral part of a doctoral student's work, this does not mean having to isolate yourself in the library.

The doctoral student doesn’t go to class every day

In France, doctoral students must complete a minimum of 90 hours of coursework during their PhD thesis. This is not a lot over three years! Courses are offered by the doctoral school, but training hours provided by another organisation, participation in conferences and involvement in the research laboratory may also be counted. Doctoral students are free to choose between several courses covering a broad spectrum of essential skills for a career in research.

Writing a thesis is an individual task, but collaborations matter too

A PhD is a personal work where doctoral students are responsible for the progress of their own research. However, they should not forget the collective dimension inherent to the completion of a thesis. Doctoral students talk regularly with their supervisor(s) and fellow doctoral students about the progress of their PhD. In addition, data collection activities may involve collaborations with other researchers, depending on the research undertaken. Finally, participation in colloquia or conferences is a good way to meet other doctoral students and researchers familiar with the studied subject.

Applying for a PhD

Who can apply?

Anyone who has completed a master’s degree (master’s students, professionals in the field, people looking for a career change, etc.)

Application process:

• Find a thesis supervisor
• Define a thesis topic and submit the research project to the laboratory
• Have an interview and present the research project to a jury
• Secure PhD funding: doctoral contract with a university, CIFRE, research project

What are the opportunities after a PhD?

After completion of a doctoral programme, students have the possibility of pursuing their careers in academia or the private sector.

Testimonies from doctoral students

"A PhD gives me a great opportunity to delve into a subject I am passionate about. I really enjoy the fact that it involves communicating and exchanging with people. An important priority is given to autonomy and project management." - Timothée Gomot timothee.gomot@u-pec.fr

"Having enjoyed the research work I did for my dissertation during my master, I agreed to undertake a PhD when my master’s thesis supervisor suggested that I join his research project. I really appreciate the autonomy and flexibility that a PhD offers in terms of organisation and choice of the research topic!" - Anaïs Garin anais.garin@u-pec.fr

Contact (IRG)

Emmanuelle Dubocage - IRG director: emmanuelle.dubocage@u-pec.fr
Alain Debenedetti - IRG deputy director: alain.debenedetti@univ-eiffel.fr
Cécilia Chapuy-Delille - IRG Management Assistant: direction-irg@u-pec.fr
Sophie Echivard - Administrative and Financial Manager of ERUDITE and IRG laboratories: sophie.echivard@univ-eiffel.fr