PhD student for doctoral research in Ideation & Customer Insights

Life is always about becoming... In life it is about going on a journey to become the best version of our future self. As we discover new things, we face challenges, master them and grow beyond us.

Apply to Mercedes-Benz and find the area where you can develop your talents individually. You will be supported by visionary colleagues who share your pioneering spirit. Joining us means becoming part of a global team whose goal is to build the most desirable cars in the world. Together for excellence.

Number: MER0003VUY The team Ideation & Customer Insights is the competence center for professional ideas generation and empirical customer research at Mercedes-Benz AG. We answer development-relevant questions in research and development with tailor-made creative workshops and test subjects. We explore requirements and needs of current and future customers. By using creative methods, we support cross-functional experts in developing innovative solutions and strategies. We also test technical innovations for their acceptance and usability. With our findings we provide guidance and valuable decision-making aids along the innovation process.

As part of your doctorate, you will develop a further concept for collaborative development of innovations in the digitally supported work environment. This can include the use of creative methods within the framework of online, presence and hybrid innovation workshops, but also under the use of AI or digital ideas platforms. The data can be collected by way of example in workshops in the context of the topic “Artificial Intelligence” or “Sustainability”. Your tasks include: Conception, scientific comparison and evaluation of creative methods in the context of the innovation development process

Conception, scientific comparison and evaluation of creative cooperation models in different settings (in particular hybrid innovation workshops)

Preparation, implementation and preparation of innovation workshops

If necessary, cooperation in the prototyping and evaluation of new concepts in the vehicle together with our partners (ingenieurs, designers)

The activity can begin from April 2026. Adjustment requirement is the support of the doctoral project by a university lecturer. The selection of a corresponding person is the responsibility of the doctoral student.

Master's degree in human-machine interaction, design, business management (focus on innovation management), psychology, human factors or a comparable degree course

Secure knowledge of German and English in word and writing

Secure handling of MS Office (in particular PowerPoint, Excel, Word); pronounced technology affinity, routine in handling AI tools

Quick understanding, conceptual and organizational skills and high flexibility, strong commitment and self-initiative, independent and careful work, economic and customer-oriented thinking and acting, creativity and a high affinity for new technologies

Interest in a varied activity in an interdisciplinary team, practical experience in agile work, ideally with experience in group moderation

Additional information: Doctorate in the Mercedes-Benz Group! Benefit from our know-how, an international expertise network, research materials, work insights and personal support by mentors – in addition to your university. Further information can be found here. We look forward to your online application with CV, Letters and Certificates. Please do not forget to mark your documents as ''relevant for this application' in the online form and note the maximum file size of 5 MB. Disabled and equalized applicants are welcome! The severely disabled representative (SBV-Sindelfingen@mercedes-benz.com) is happy to support you in the application process. HR Services will be happy to help you with questions about the application process. You can reach us by email via myhrservice@mercedes-benz.com or by phone at 0711/17-99000 (Mo-Fr 10-12am & 13-15am).

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