ITU / Forskning / PhD Programme / Types of PhD Enrolment / Industrial PhD

Industrial PhD

Combine academic research and business innovation as an Industrial PhD

As an Industrial PhD you will be enrolled in the PhD programme at the IT University of Copenhagen (ITU) as you conduct an Industrial PhD research project. Simultaneously, you will be employed outside ITU, e.g. in a company, organisation, or a private or public institution. An Industrial PhD is a great opportunity to learn and contribute to your research field of choice as a PhD student with one foot in the academic world and the other in the public-private sector.

An Industrial PhD gives you the opportunity to work across both academic and non‑academic environments. You gain hands‑on experience with research in a company setting while being part of a university environment. This dual perspective allows you to grow professionally, build or expand your network, and develop a career profile that is attractive both inside and outside academia.

You will work on a project that is relevant both academically and industry-wise and gain research competences alongside company experience. It is an ideal opportunity for candidates who want ambitious research training, practical relevance, and strong career pathways in both industry and academia. By conducting research within a company, you experience how academic knowledge is applied in real‑world contexts. At the same time, you act as a bridge builder between the university and the company, helping to create new collaborations and strengthen the flow of knowledge between research and industry.

What to expect

Dual environment: You will divide your time between the university and the company, with a research project aligned to the strategic goals of the company and academic standards of the university
Supervision: You will have a principal academic supervisor and a co-supervisor at ITU and at least one company supervisor. The academic supervisors and an industry supervisor support you throughout the project
Research: You follow the same academic requirements as any PhD (including coursework, dissemination, thesis, defence)

Employment: You are employed by the company/institution while being enrolled as a PhD student at the university

The PhD programme

Carry out independent research work under supervision (the PhD project)

Complete PhD courses or similar study elements totaling approx. 30 ECTS points

Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another, mainly foreign, research institution or private research enterprises (Research Stay)

Gain experience of teaching activities or other form of knowledge dissemination which is related to your PhD project

Complete a PhD thesis on the basis of the PhD project

General information

Physical presence: ITU expects Industrial PhD students to be physically present at ITU on a regular basis to an extent that makes sense for you and the PhD project. Physical presence is important in order to participate in and contribute to the research environment at the university

Enrolment period: PhD enrolment is 3 years

Insurance: The employer is fully responsible for arranging and maintaining adequate travel insurance for the industrial PhD student during the enrolment period. This includes all research-related travel, including conferences, fieldwork, research stays, or other academic activities conducted abroad. Industrial PhD students are not covered by ITU’s travel insurance or any other employee-related insurance schemes

Admission requirements: To be admitted into the PhD programme you must meet the formal requirements:

A relevant master’s degree (or equivalent) corresponding to a Danish two-year master's degree of 120 ECTS points

A minimum level of English proficiency at Danish level B (gymnasium level)

Read about the PhD admission requirements here.

Funding

There are two ways of funding an Industrial PhD at ITU