Fully funded Doctoral Position PhD in Sports Management and Sustainability (11)

We have an exciting opportunity to join the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network, SUPER, as a PhD Fellow. The successful candidate will be registered as a fee free PhD student at Audencia/ University of Bayreuth and enrolled in the SUPER Doctoral Network, with secondment opportunities in industry and other European academic institutions.

SUPER (Sustainable Sports and Physical Activity for Equity and Resilience) is offering 17 pioneering fellowship opportunities at the intersection of sustainability and sports science.

Sports and physical activity are an essential part of the fabric of our lives, but also impact the planet through transport, infrastructure, equipment and energy use in ways that are widely unknown. At the same time, sports and physical activity will be affected by the impacts of climate change and must adapt to continue promoting health and resilience.

This research project focuses on circularity in sport equipment supply networks (i.e., sport brands, suppliers, distributors, retailers, consumers, waste management authorities, charities, etc.). The doctoral candidate will investigate the potential of the circular economy concept to transform business models, supply chains, industries, and whole ecosystems around sport equipment towards sustainability. Special attention should be given to the French AGEC law (Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law) and the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) networks as part of the European Waste Framework Directive. The student is expected to produce a dissertation project typically consisting of at least three high-quality papers intended for top-tiers journals in management and business (journals included in the Chartered Association of Business Schools ranking).

The Doctoral Candidate in the project ‘Sustainable sport equipment networks’ will play a central role in the network and will develop:

1) Concrete propositions on how organizations that are part of sport equipment networks (i.e., public, private and non-profit sector) can better integrate principles of circular economy collectively, where by-products and waste products of one organization can be used as resources for another organization.

2) A theoretical model for collaborative and systemic circular sport equipment networks.

3) A handbook for practitioners with co-created novel solutions for circularity in sports equipment industries and supply chains including propositions for the implementation of circular sport equipment networks.

The Doctoral Candidate will be expected to:

• Report on findings by publishing scientific articles, resulting in a PhD dissertation ;

• Present findings at (inter)national meetings/conferences ;

• Contribute to the wider work of the SUPER project ;

• Contribute to educational activities of the department and within the consortium.

The position offers close supervision and collaboration with leading faculty and senior researchers as well as access to a strong network of international scholars.

To be considered for this doctoral position, you are expected to:

• Hold a Master’s degree in Management, Business Administration, Sport Sciences or a related discipline (e.g., Marketing, Information Systems, Economics, Sociology with a sport management or sustainability focus)

• Not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before your recruitment date

• Not have a doctoral degree at the date of your recruitment

• Have excellent results in your last academic degree

• Be proficient in English (spoken and written), demonstrated by a TOEFL or IELTS test unless previous studies were completed in English.

• Have an outstanding performance in the Master thesis or comparable demonstration of explicit interest in and motivation for scientific research

• Have strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills

• Have a demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams

• Have a sound awareness and knowledge about sustainability-related issues

• Provide a research proposal in line with the topic of the research project mentioned above.

The following will strengthen your application but is not mandatory:

• A GMAT-test (Graduate Management Admission Test) or GRE-test (Graduate Record Examinations) scores that places you in or above the 85th percentile of the test takers. (The test results should not be more than five years old.)

Terms of employment :

Allowances according to EU standards

• a living allowance of approximately €2529,06/month

• a mobility allowance of approximately €339,42/month

• if applicable, family, long-term leave and special needs allowances

• contract duration of 36 months

In addition, funding is provided for research, training and networking activities

What we offer :

• As a doctoral student at Audencia, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about  working at Audencia, our CSR commitments  and our benefits for employees (see our website for more info)

• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the vibrating city of Nantes close to the Atlantic coast.

• While you will be working in English, Audencia offers French courses to help you settle in France.

• The doctoral network offers international workshops at partner universities as well as secondments to industry or academic partners. These secondments are potentially located outside Nantes / France.

• We partner with the University of Bayreuth where you will be enrolled in the doctoral program and from which you will obtain your doctoral degree. Some PhD courses take place at/in collaboration with University of Bayreuth.

Application's process:

• Application Deadline: 2026, April 19th.

• Interview period : 2026, May 11th - 26th Conducted online with 1-2 faculty members. Interviews are only granted to short-listed candidates. After reviewing all applications, faculty will contact you if they are interested in conducting an interview.

• Decisions Announced: 1st June to 5th June

For questions, please contact:

Concerning the research project: Anna Gerke: [email protected]

Concerning administrative issues: Lea Koltzer: [email protected]

We are hosting two information sessions on Monday 23rd March 2026 for those interested in applying for a PhD fellow position with SUPER. The session will start with a 15-minute presentation and then there will be a Q&A. We are running two sessions to ensure maximum global reach. Both sessions will be the same, so you should only attend one. Sign up here:

Monday 23rd March 2026, 10am UK time – sign up here : https://forms.gle/tu7DkA9kck33NJ4D9

Monday 23rd March 2026, 6pm UK time - sign up here : https://forms.gle/YXMRkAyDFCEY5iy9A

We look forward to your application!

Mandatory documents:

• Research proposal in line with the topic of the research project mentioned above covering the research question, relevant literature and the theoretical framing, a potential empirical field and methodological approach, and intended contributions to knowledge and practice (around 1,500-2,000 words)

• Motivation letter

• Academic transcripts of the most recent completed previous degree

• Certified copies of any relevant diplomas and degrees

• 2-3 letters of recommendation (2 academics and 1 professional if relevant).

• Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL 100 / IELTS 7), unless studies were completed in English

• Statement of research interests

• a concise curriculum vitae (CV)

Optional documents:

• Official GMAT or GRE scores (mandatory for all candidates)

• Any research material that might be useful (dissertation, academic paper, ...) in .pdf format

• copy of your ID or passport