PhD Student Sales Germany (f/m/d)

Brief Role Description

Welcome to Sales Planning Germany – the department where we develop and successfully implement Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ sales strategies for the German market. As a doctoral candidate, you will contribute to researching and advancing AI‑supported methods to optimize our sales planning and sales promotion activities. You will conduct independent research, build expertise through collaboration with academic supervisors and subject‑matter experts, and connect theoretical knowledge with practical questions. Along the way, you will gain deep insights into the operational and strategic sales processes of a dynamic automotive environment. Your scientific contributions will not only actively shape our future, but also support the continued advancement of the research community. Become part of our team – we look forward to receiving your application!

Possible Tasks within this Role

• Developing AI models to improve the accuracy of volume forecasts by applying machine learning and incorporating market trends.
• Optimizing the synchronization of production and volume planning: leveraging AI to align production volumes, inventory levels, and supply chains so that production and volume are best coordinated, minimizing production shortfalls, pool allocations, and insufficient/excess stock coverage.
• Synchronizing sales actions and marketing campaigns: analyzing customer and market data with AI to derive optimal pricing strategies and target‑group‑specific marketing campaigns.
• Simulating various planning scenarios: AI‑supported simulation of sales and market developments to support strategic decision‑making.
• Taking on tasks and projects related to your dissertation topic.

The final doctoral topic is defined together with the professor. The prerequisite for the cooperation is the confirmation of supervision as well as a confirmed delimitation of topics by the professor of a university or research institution entitled to confer a doctorate.

Qualification Requirements

• Good to very good university degree qualifying for doctoral studies in Business Administration or a comparable discipline.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office.
• German language level C1.
• Strong understanding of business and financial principles.
• Experience working with AI and business analytics tools (e.g., Power BI).
• Enthusiasm for academic research as well as strong teamwork skills.

The following documents must be submitted with the application

• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Current transcript of records.
• Work permit for Non‑EU citizens.

Keywords

Dissertation, Data Integration, Forecast Modeling, Sales Analytics, Market Intelligence

What We Offer

• Attractive salary & 30 vacation days (+ 24.12. and 31.12. off).
• 35-hour week, flexible working hours, remote work.
• Special conditions for the purchase and leasing of vehicles.
• Free seminars on scientific work and interdisciplinary qualifications.
• Participation in the doctoral network for scientific exchange with science representatives and other doctoral candidates within the Volkswagen Group.

Contact person for this posting: Tanja Oberbeck