LMU PhD Scholarship in Financial and Sustainability Reporting 2026

This highly motivated team, led by Prof. Dr. Thorsten Sellhorn, is based in the city of Munich. They are part of the transregional DFG project TRR 266 Accounting for Transparency and the Sustainability Reporting Navigator (SRN) team, and explore research questions related to financial and sustainability reporting:

• The SRN provides an open-science resource that enables firms, their stakeholders, and the public to navigate the evolving field of sustainability reporting.
• The TRR 266 is a trans-regional Collaborative Research Center funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Our team of more than 100 dedicated researchers examines how accounting and sustainability reporting affect firm and regulatory transparency, and how regulation and transparency impact our economy and society. We help develop effective regulation for corporate transparency, and we ensure the transparency of our own research.

Your tasks and responsibilities:

• You will benefit from a broad range of research seminars and workshops offered at LMU, and you will receive funding to participate in external Ph.D. courses, summer schools, and doctoral consortia in Europe and beyond.
• As a member of the TRR 266 Accounting for Transparency, you will have full access to its extensive young researcher program, including specialized methods workshops, writing and presentation coaching, data and coding support, visiting opportunities, and a vibrant network of more than 100 researchers. This integrated environment provides excellent conditions for building a strong research portfolio to advance an academic or professional career.
• You will explore research questions related to financial and sustainability reporting – potentially including adjacent areas such as M&A, valuation, and auditing.
• In this area, you will focus on empirical work – including AI-based natural language processing approaches – related to corporate mandatory and voluntary reporting practices as well as the role of regulation and learning.
• As a teaching assistant, you will conduct tutorials in our Institute’s Bachelor- and Master-level courses as well as supervise students’ theses.
• As a PhD candidate and research assistant, you will present your work at international conferences, aspire to publish in leading international journals, and actively support our Institute team.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJanuary 15, 2026
• Study LevelPhD
• SponsorLudwig Maximilians Universitat Munchen (LMU)
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• PhD candidates will be enrolled in the LMU Munich School of Management’s Master in Business Research (MBR) program, a structured doctoral curriculum that provides rigorous methodological training, subject-specific courses, and professional development modules.
• Your workplace is centrally located in Munich at LMU’s main campus, right next to the Englischer Garten. Our Accounting and Taxation cluster works internationally in an open and cooperative atmosphere.
• Our research in the fields of financial and sustainability accounting and reporting, corporate governance and auditing, financial analysis, valuation, and taxation contributes evidence-based solutions to practical problems.
• This role offers intellectual stimulation and an opportunity to contribute as a member to the highly topical research agendas of the TRR 266 Accounting for Transparency and the Sustainability Reporting Navigator – allowing you to delve deep into new, exciting areas of expertise and to develop valuable research skills. We offer payment according to TVLE13 There is the possibility of partly working from home. Applications by women are welcome.

Requirements

• You have completed (or are near completion of) a Master’s degree in business administration, economics, or a related field of study – ideally specializing in accounting, finance, machine learning, and/or sustainability management.
• You have the skills and motivation to work in the above research fields.
• You have acquired empirical skills (ideally, including AI-based natural language processing approaches) as well as substantive expertise in accounting theory and practice, through either specialization in Bachelor's and/or Master's programs, topical and methodological theses, or relevant internships.
• You have very good analytical skills, German and English language skills (both at C1-levels), and you are a reliable and helpful team player.
• An independent way of working and a high level of commitment are also welcome.

People with disabilities who are equally as qualified as other applicants will receive preferential treatment.

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• Please send your documents as a single PDF file to Prof. Dr. Thorsten Sellhorn ([email protected]), with a copy to [email protected] (Melanie von Franckenstein) no later than 15.01.2026.

For more information, kindly visit LMU webpage.