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About the program

The HEC Paris PhD Program is designed for ambitious scholars seeking to shape the future of research and academia. We foster a culture of curiosity and collaboration, equipping you to explore new ideas, generate knowledge, and share it with the world.

With a low student-to-faculty ratio, you benefit from personalized guidance and close supervision, working with faculty as both mentors and peers. From day one, you are immersed in intensive coursework and cutting-edge research, supported by generous resources and a vibrant network of researchers, corporate partners, and alumni.

The program prepares you for a successful academic career, with a strong emphasis on research excellence and publications in top-tier journals. HEC Paris is consistently ranked among the world’s leading business schools — see our rankings.

We offer eight areas of specialization, leading to a PhD in Management, Economics, or Law and Regulation.

Join a program that positions you for academic excellence and connects you with the next generation of global scholars.
 

Explore Your PhD Journey: Join Our Webinar Series

Join us for an exclusive series of webinars designed for aspiring PhD candidates. Each session dives into a different specialization, featuring insights from our faculty and highlighting unique research opportunities. Don’t miss this chance to explore our program and get your questions answered.

 

Law & Regulation, 14 November 2025, 13:30-14:30

Meet Professor Alberto Alemanno to learn more about the HEC PhD Specialization in Law & Regulation.

Register here

 

Economics & Decision Sciences, 20 November 2025, 13:30-14:30

Meet Professor Gaetano Gaballo to learn more about the HEC PhD Specialization in Economics & Decision Sciences.

Register here

 

Management & Human Resources, 21 November 2025, 13:30-14:30

Meet Professor Julien Jourdan to learn more about the HEC PhD Specialization in Management & Human Resources.

Register here

 

Strategy & Business Policy, 24 November 2025, 13:30-14:30

Meet Professor Olivier Chatain, to learn more about the HEC PhD Specialization in Strategy & Business Policy. 

Register here

 

Accounting & Management Control, 25 November 2025, 13:30-14:30

Meet Professor Pepa Kraft to learn more about the HEC PhD in Accounting & Management Control.

Register here

 

Finance, 27 November 2025, 13:30-14:30

Meet Associate Professor Matthias Efing to learn more about the HEC PhD Specialization in Finance.

Register here

 

Marketing, 02 December 2025, 13:30-14:30

Meet Associate Professor Tangjie Gu to learn more about the HEC PhD Specialization in Marketing. 

Register here

 

Information Systems & Operations Management, 05 December 2025, 13:30-14:30

Meet Associate Professor Dimitrios Andritsos to learn more about the HEC PhD Specialization in Information Systems & Operations Management.

Register here

We welcome applicants from any field with a strong desire to pursue an academic career and who are curious, eager to learn and to explore new ideas.

 

Johan Hombert,
Professor of Finance, PhD Program Associate Dean

 

PHD BLOCK SEMINARS

Each spring, we host Block Seminars designed for PhD students from around the globe. These intensive sessions provide advanced training on cutting-edge research topics and emerging trends within specialized fields. This year's seminars were led by Professors Rodolphe Durand, Patricia Thornton, and Stefan Worm.

see all seminars

VISITING PHD STUDENT RESEARCHERS

The HEC Paris PhD program welcomes PhD students from other universities who wish to benefit from courses, seminars and individual supervision by the professor who is the primary host.

learn more here

Lead News

12 New PhD Students
12 doctoral students joined the HEC Paris PhD Program this fall, selected from an exceptionally competitive pool. They expand the school’s tightknit research community.
PhD graduating in 2025
During the 2025 Graduation Ceremony, doctoral graduates reflect on their journey, reaching beyond the thesis into business and global concerns.
Madhulika Kaul, HEC PhD, Strategy & Business Policy, Foundation, Prize, 2025
Congratulations to Dr. Madhulika Kaul (D.23) and Yurii Handziuk for winning the 2024 HEC Foundation Prizes in recognition of their outstanding doctoral research and academic impact.
HEC Paris, Medici Summer School
The S&O Institute of HEC Paris is pleased to announce the organization of the 17th edition of the Medici Summer School in Management Studies, for doctoral students and young researchers, which will be...
HEC Paris Top Finance Graduate Award 2025
HEC Paris is proud to host the 2025 Top Finance Graduate Award Conference on 6 May 2025. This award recognizes the most promising PhD candidates in financial economics worldwide, graduating in 2025.

HEC PhD Dissertations

Three Essays on Cooperative Organizational Forms
By C. DOCHE
This dissertation focuses on organizations’ use of collective resource …
Essays on Economics of Information Systems
By Y. SHEN
To ease prescribers’ burden in using statewide Prescription Drug Monit …
An investigation of marketing communication facilitated by social media platforms.
By J. NIU
Abstract : This thesis predominantly delves into what motivates social …