Research Assistant/Doctoral Student (f/m/d) - Chair of Digital Marketing

General Information

The Chair of Digital Marketing addresses cutting‑edge issues at the intersection of marketing, artificial intelligence, and digitalization. The focus is on how data‑driven technologies and AI can be used meaningfully, effectively, and responsibly for marketing purposes. In doing so, we combine academic excellence with strong practical relevance and work closely with renowned companies.

During your doctoral studies, we will support and encourage you to identify exciting research questions at the intersection of academia and practice, address them using sound methodology, and develop innovative solutions. You will benefit from an inspiring research environment, practice‑oriented topics, and diverse opportunities to combine empirical research with real‑world corporate and market data.

Our research projects offer you the chance to use current real‑world challenges as a starting point for academically relevant contributions. One example is an ongoing collaboration on the topic of “data‑driven understanding of the downtown ecosystem.” As part of this project, components of your dissertation may include, among other things, the development and implementation of field experiments in shopping centres, as well as linking the insights gained with data on movement, sales, and foot traffic in downtown areas.

For an overview of our department’s other research activities, please visit www.whu.edu/digital.

Your mission

• Your primary responsibility will be to independently conduct challenging research projects and write your dissertation. In doing so, you will work with us to develop research questions that are both academically relevant and practical.
• Ideally, your research should focus on a data‑driven understanding of the downtown ecosystem. In addition, other research topics will be tailored to your interests, ideally in the context of the use of artificial intelligence in marketing or the optimization of digital marketing activities.
• Your research will be empirically oriented. For example, you will work with transaction data, mobility data, or experimental data collected specifically for this purpose, and use these to investigate relevant marketing questions using sound methodological approaches.
• You will present your research findings at international conferences, in collaboration with academic partners, and to industry partners. In addition, you aim to publish your work in internationally renowned academic journals.
• You also support the chair with selected administrative and teaching tasks. Wherever possible, these activities are closely linked to your research activities so that they meaningfully complement your academic development.

Your profile

• First and foremost, we are looking for enthusiastic and curious colleagues to join our team. You should have a passion for empirical research and the ability to work independently on project management.
• An outstanding (upcoming) master’s degree in economics, business informatics, engineering, or mathematics. Your previous areas of study may also lie outside the field of marketing.
• Very good English skills and, ideally, experience in data analysis, programming, or modeling.
• Fluency in German (business‑level) is required for industry collaboration.
• We support you in your academic career, your doctoral studies, and the development of your personal skills. For example, through regular attendance at and presentations at conferences, participation in doctoral colloquia, and targeted doctoral courses.

What we offer

Academic Environment

At WHU, more than 50 faculty members conduct research and teach in the fields of management, finance and accounting, economics, entrepreneurship and innovation, marketing and sales, and supply chain management.

WHU’s high level of research excellence stems from its commitment to three key research principles: quality, internationality, and practical relevance to teaching and professional practice.

Contact

For Questions Please Contact

Professor Christian Schlereth

Chairholder

email: christian.schlereth@whu.edu