Tallinn University of Technology

Industrial PhD

What is the Industrial PhD?

Industrial doctorate at TalTech combine a research-based approach and practical development activities, offering institutions a unique form of cooperation.

Industrial or intersectoral doctoral studies is a research project aimed at industry/business, which are jointly carried out by a private, public or third sector institution (hereinafter referred to as the partner organisation), a university and a doctoral candidate. 

The prerequisite for creating an industrial doctoral position is the partner organisation´s interest in conducting research or development work in cooperation with the university. For this purpose, a research and development agreement is concluded (or has been concluded previously) or a joint research project is established. The organisations´s interest is also demonstrated by its willingness to contribute to the research and development work carried out at the university. 

An industrial doctoral candidate works at the partner organisation and at the same time studies in the doctoral programme at TalTech, dividing his or her working time between the organisation and the university. This requires that the candidate´s work at the organisation is closely related to the doctoral research project being carried out.

An industrial doctoral candidate must have an academic supervisor from the university and a person appointed by the partner organisation who is responsible for fulfilling the organisation´s research and development objectives. This person participates in the doctoral project either as a co-supervisor (requires a doctoral degree) or as a consultant (a doctoral degree is not required).

Value Proposition for the Partner Organisation

1.Solutions to real-world challenges

Industrial doctorate enable organisations to address complex challenges in their field through a research-based approach. The doctoral candidate works within the organisation and conducts research directly linked to the development needs of an organisation. This ensures that the research outcomes are applicable in practice and create real value for society, the economy, and industry.

2. Increased innovation and competitiveness

Collaboration with a university opens the door to research and development activities, that help organisations remain at the forefront of innovation. Specialists with a doctoral degree are able to delve deeply into complex topics, bring new perspectives and creative problem-solving approaches, and develop products and services that stand out in the market.

3. Talent development and retention

Industrial doctorate provide an excellent opportunity to develop existing employees by offering them the opportunity to grow into experts in their field. This increases employee motivation and loyalty and helps organisations retain and develop top talent.

4. Access to research infrastructure and expertise

TalTech offers doctoral candidates access to modern research infrastructure, international research groups, and supervision by leading scientists. Organisations benefit from the university’s research networks and collaboration opportunities, including those extending beyond Estonia.

5. Flexibility and practicality

Industrial doctorate is flexible—the doctoral candidates can continue their everyday work at the organisation while simultaneously conducting research.

6. Reputation and impact

Organisations that invest in research-based development gain higher recognition in society and in economic circles. Entrepreneurs, top specialists, and leaders with doctoral degrees are increasingly valued, as they combine practical experience with strong analytical skills.

7. Social responsibility and sustainability

Collaboration with a university helps organisations contribute to the development of society - whether in energy efficiency, digital transformation, or crisis management. The research conducted by industrial doctoral candidates creates value not only for the organisation but also for the wider community.

Stages of an industrial doctoral project

  1. A company or organisation identifies a research or development need that requires in-depth scientific investigation.
  2. The organisation contacts the TalTech Industry Cooperation Centre, which helps identify a researcher or research group whose expertise matches the research area.
  3. Together, the parties establish a shared interest and refine the research topic.
  4. With the support of a university researcher, who will become the future industrial doctoral candidate’s supervisor, a detailed description of the doctoral research topic is prepared.

If the partner organisation already has a candidate, an initial assessment of the candidate’s suitability can be carried out by a university´s supervisor or the doctoral programme director. For this purpose, the prospective doctoral candidate submits the CV, copies of documents certifying the completion of a master’s degree, and a motivation letter in English to the university supervisor.

If no suitable candidate is available, the parties agree to announce an open competition to find an employee for the organisation and a doctoral candidate for the university.

The parties to the cooperation agreement are the partner organisation, the university, and the doctoral candidate. The university has developed a standard cooperation agreement template that can be used as the basis for negotiations. During the negotiations, the following points are agreed upon:

  1. Final title of the doctoral thesis
  2. Supervisors – an academic supervisor appointed by the university, and a representative appointed by the partner organisation who is responsible for achieving the organisation’s research and development objectives. If the latter holds a doctoral degree, they are formally appointed as a co-supervisor upon the doctoral candidate’s enrollment; if they do not hold a doctoral degree, they act in the role of a consultant or expert.
  3. The partner organisation’s contribution to the implementation of the doctoral project, such as financial support to the university to cover research-related costs, access to data, information systems, and infrastructure, support for the doctoral candidate’s international mobility, etc. The organisation’s contribution is described in as much detail as possible in the agreement.
  4. Confidentiality and intellectual property rights. During the negotiations, the parties determine what is considered a trade secret or sensitive information, what intellectual property already owned by the parties will be used in the research, who will own the research results, and related matters. The TalTech Industry Cooperation Centre provides guidance on issues related to intellectual property rights.

  1. The doctoral candidate submits the CV, a motivation letter in English, and education documents to the university supervisor.
  2. The university supervisor submits an application for creating an industrial doctoral position, together with the doctoral research proposal and the documents provided by the doctoral candidate, in accordance with the university’s regulations.
  3. The application for creating the industrial doctoral position must also include a draft cooperation agreement and a confirmation letter from the partner organisation.
  4. The industrial doctoral position and the doctoral candidate are approved by the doctoral programme director.
  5. All submitted documents will be reviewed  by the Research Administration Office.
  6. Enrollment (matriculation) takes place on an ongoing basis.
  7. The cooperation agreement is signed after the doctoral candidate has been formally enrolled. This process is coordinated by the Research Administration Office.

  1. The successful implementation of an industrial doctoral project begins with high-quality and supportive supervision. The doctoral candidate receives academic supervision from the university and practice-oriented guidance from the partner organisation. Close cooperation and effective information exchange between the supervisors are essential.
  2. Within one month of admission, the doctoral candidate must, in cooperation with the supervisors, prepare and submit the basic details of the doctoral thesis in the Study Information System (ÕIS) as part of the doctoral candidate’s activity plan.
  3. The doctoral candidate’s first attestation takes place after the completion of the first semester in the doctoral programme. For this purpose, a research plan and a literature review must be prepared and submitted in ÕIS no later than two weeks before the attestation. The research plan must also include a brief description of research data management within the doctoral project: what data will be collected, and how the data will be stored and shared.
    Further information on the preparation of the curriculum and the doctoral candidate’s activity plan, as well as on the attestation process, can be found in the Regulations for Doctoral Studies.
  4. Industrial doctoral candidates undergo annual attestations in the same way as other doctoral candidates. In addition to assessing academic progress, attention is also paid to whether the doctoral candidate receives adequate supervision, whether cooperation between the supervisors functions well, and whether the employer provides sufficient opportunities to engage in activities directly related to doctoral studies and the doctoral research project. The share of tasks in the doctoral candidate’s daily work that are not related to the doctoral research must be minimal and must allow the candidate to dedicate sufficient time to completing the doctoral programme.
  5. Industrial doctorate conclude with the completion of the doctoral study programme and the defence of the doctoral thesis. The requirements for the doctoral thesis and the organisation of the defence are regulated by the Regulations for Doctoral Studies. Each faculty has established more detailed procedures for the defence of doctoral theses.