Thomas Bauwens

The Business-Society Management department at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, invites applications for a fully-funded PhD position in the area of sustainability and management. This unique opportunity allows the successful candidate to define and pursue their own research topic within the department’s broad expertise, which encompasses the challenges faced by society and the natural environment, and how organisations can address these challenges. Potential research topics include systems and resilience thinking, sustainability in multinational enterprises and global value chains, corporate communication, sensemaking, social innovation, business ethics, philanthropy, alternative organisational and governance forms (such as social enterprises, commons, and cooperatives), corporate social (ir)responsibility, organisational stigma, stakeholder management, and aligning corporate value propositions with societal issues. The department is known for its collegial and diverse environment, with faculty who are world-class, multidisciplinary scholars publishing in top journals and engaging in innovative teaching and research. PhD students are expected to become experts in their chosen topic, develop a research agenda, and produce work suitable for publication in leading academic journals. The program offers comprehensive training through courses, seminars, and close supervision, as well as opportunities to collaborate with faculty from other departments and universities. The position includes full employment as a university employee, with a competitive salary and benefits according to the Dutch university collective agreement. Additionally, PhD candidates receive funding for a 3- to 6-month research visit at a top international university, further strengthening their academic network. Applicants should hold or be near completion of a master’s degree in business, management, sociology, economics, psychology, or a related field, and should demonstrate methodological skills and a passion for research on sustainable development. The department values creativity, self-direction, and a commitment to addressing grand societal challenges through rigorous academic inquiry. The application process requires submission of all documents specified by ERIM, including a cover letter outlining the preferred research topic, methods, and potential supervisory team. The deadline for applications is 15 January 2026. For more information, candidates are encouraged to consult the department’s web pages and the ERIM journals list. The university is committed to equity, inclusion, and diversity, and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.