ProMotion The BMW Group PhD programme.

As part of the ProMotion programme, you will receive an attractive monthly stipend for 36 months – whether you are currently working on your research or undertaking practical assignments. This allows you to concentrate fully on your doctoral studies and provides financial security throughout the entire duration of the programme.

Networking is the key to success – and that’s exactly why you are part of a strong internal scientific network here, made up of ambitious PhD candidates. Here you can exchange ideas with like-minded peers, forge social and cross-department contacts, and build a network from which you benefit both professionally and personally. Some of your networking opportunities:

• DocNet: Whether it’s joint research projects, engaging discussions, or leisure activities, you’ll find peers who share knowledge, spark new ideas, and embody team spirit. This network of PhD candidates is your chance to make connections, broaden perspectives, and get to know the BMW Group from many angles.
• Alumni and Mentors Network: Connect with former programme participants and mentors who will support you even after your PhD.
• ProMotion Dialogue Day: Once a year we host our major PhD conference, where you can present your dissertation topic to a broad audience. Take the opportunity to bridge industry and academia and build valuable contacts.
• Other exchange formats: Expect a variety of formats, such as lecture series, team-building activities, or fireside evenings – perfect for strengthening organisational skills, teamwork, and social skills while broadening your network.
• Monthly PhD Newsletter: Stay up to date with news, events, and exciting projects within the network.

In addition to your research, we place great emphasis on strengthening you in your professional development as well. With our many years of experience, our supervisors will support you in building on your strengths and developing you in a targeted and individualized way.

You can also access a wide range of qualification modules that will advance you not only professionally but also personally – through trainings in the BMW Academy or in special development formats of the PhD programme, for example:

• Soft-skill trainings: Improve your communication, presentation, and team-working abilities to perform confidently in any situation.
• IP workshop: Learn more about intellectual property and how to protect your innovations.
• Coping strategies: Learn to approach your dissertation as a project, develop self-management, as well as strategy and tools to handle challenges.
• Peer-reviewed publishing: Leverage the experience of our experts and exchange with other PhD students to successfully publish your initial research findings (peer-reviewed).
• Brand Mover Training: Get to know BMW and what we stand for. Explore our brand values – practical, interactive, and globally oriented.

Our experienced departmental supervisors and mentors typically hold their own PhDs and closely support you in your applied dissertation. They are by your side throughout the entire programme, ensuring structured planning and offering valuable feedback along your journey. They help you set the key milestones and regularly review your progress.

Their support includes, among other things:

• Annual milestone planning and feedback: Together you set clear goals and receive ongoing feedback to steer your progress effectively.
• Organisation of practical placements and networking: Our supervisors assist with planning your practical placements and open doors to important contacts within the BMW network.
• Expertise in methodology and project work: Benefit from their experience in scientific methodology, collaboration with universities, project management, and handling BMW-specific knowledge and networks.
• Quality and university requirements: We ensure that your work meets the high quality standards for industry doctorates and also complies with all university guidelines.
• Additionally, you can choose an experienced colleague from another department as a mentor for technical input, personal tips, and networking support.

Our events offer you numerous opportunities for personal and professional development:

• Fireside & Chats: Informal discussion rounds with experienced colleagues and experts, where you can ask open questions and receive insights firsthand.
• Lecture series: Regular technical talks on current topics, where you can deepen your knowledge and engage with the latest developments.
• Other optional events: Workshops, networking events, and much more – we regularly provide exciting opportunities to connect with other programme participants or alumni and gain new perspectives.

The ProMotion Dialogue Day is the central annual event in the calendar of our PhD programme. Here you have the opportunity to present your dissertation topic to a broad audience – from colleagues to senior management. Use this platform to make your research findings visible in the context of the BMW Group, to network and to expand your internal contacts over the long term. The Dialogue Day gives you the chance to receive feedback, gain new perspectives, and present your expertise to a wide audience. Don’t miss this opportunity to advance your career in BMW Group’s innovation environment and to actively contribute to future-driven projects.

During your time with us, you will have the opportunity to gain practical insights in different specialist areas. In planning your placements, you’ll be very flexible – your personal supervisor will help you tailor the placements to your interests and time constraints. Possible practical placements include:

• Service placement: 1–2 days to gain insight into customer service and understand the perspective of our customers.
• Production placement: 1 week to experience production processes firsthand and learn about manufacturing.
• Orientation placement in a different department: 3 weeks to discover the variety of our company.

We’ll support you throughout. With us you won’t be tied to the day-to-day affairs of the respective department. Instead, you can focus fully on your research project. In addition, we will support you with:

• Appropriate university & professor: We select the university and professor best matched to the dissertation topic advertised, ensuring academic supervision from the outset.
• Resources & research materials: We provide you with the necessary resources, data, and materials to drive your work forward efficiently and successfully.
• Individual supervision: In addition to the academic supervision by your doctoral supervisor at your university, you will receive additional support from us to address your research questions effectively and complete your doctorate successfully. A department supervisor from BMW, who has also completed a PhD, will be there to offer advice and assistance.
  This way you can concentrate fully on your scientific endeavour while also benefiting from the resources of practice-oriented research within the BMW Group.

After completing the programme, many doors will open for you at BMW. Through your successful participation in the programme, you will receive an internal applicant status that offers you the chance to apply for internally advertised positions – making the transition to permanent employment particularly straightforward.

During your time in the programme, you will already build a wide network that will ease your entry. The company’s future staffing needs are taken into account when awarding PhD positions, so your chances of being offered a permanent role are good.