PhD projects at CARIAD: Linking new tech topics with science

With the mission to transform automotive mobility, CARIAD is driving innovation in the tech sector. Research fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, image recognition, automated driving and agile working methods are crucial for our future. In many projects in these areas, we’re working together with leading universities and research institutions. For connecting practical issues even more closely with innovative research projects, CARIAD has launched a PhD program for passionate young researchers in cooperation with outstanding universities.

Manuel Schwonberg is one of these young researchers who has been working on a research project at CARIAD since the beginning of 2021 as the first PhD student at the company. He is writing his dissertation in the field of deep learning, where he is analyzing the adaptability of AI functions to ever-changing new environments. With his current research, he would like to "actively shape the digital transformation of the automotive industry" at CARIAD.

The CARIAD PhD program

Innovations can be developed most quickly if they can be tested directly in practice. CARIAD's PhD program provides the ideal environment for this scientific approach. With the PhD projects, promising and pioneering topics are identified and advertised to drive the exchange of innovations between CARIAD and the scientific partners and, at the same time, to attract young talents with a passion for research to CARIAD. The framework for the projects is the CARIAD PhD program, established in 2021. The program supports PhD students in their project work through specific training and events such as the PhD Day, as well as internal professional supervision by a supervisor. The various activities not only facilitate networking within CARIAD and the VW Group, but also the transfer of knowledge between the departments.

University graduates with a master’s degree (or, in exceptional cases, with an outstanding bachelor’s degree) can apply for the vacancies via the CARIAD job portal. The requirements for a PhD always come via the faculty of the cooperating university. To work on a PhD project at CARIAD, a professor must have agreed to supervise the project and the university must have approved the PhD candidate. Furthermore, only the university has the right to conduct the doctorate procedure and the respective examinations.