Bachelor / (Executive) Master Thesis at the Center for Strategy and Organization
📌 Key facts
- When: Start anytime. Applications are open!
- How to apply: Send us an e-mail (at the end of this page) with your CV, grade report and research interest.
- 📌 Key facts
- 💡 Background
- 🦾Who We Are
- 🎯 Goals and Topics
- 🎓 Profile
- ➕ Additional Information
- 📄 Requirements for Work
- 📝 How to Apply
- 📬 Contact
💡 Background
Quantum technology (QT) is emerging as a transformative technology with the potential to revolutionize industries such as finance, healthcare, logistics, and cybersecurity. Unlike classical technologies, quantum systems leverage principles of superposition and entanglement to solve complex problems exponentially faster. As advancements in soft- and hardware accelerate, the commercialization of quantum technologies is creating new entrepreneurial opportunities. Understanding the intersection of quantum technology and business innovation is crucial for shaping the future of this evolving industry.
🦾Who We Are
I am a PhD student at the Chair focusing on deep tech entrepreneurship. My educational background is in physics, focusing on particle physics and quantum information theory. I am pursuing my PhD during an educational leave from my work as a consultant for the Boston Consulting Group.
The Chair for Strategy and Organization is focused on research with impact. This means we do not want to repeat old ideas and base our research solely on the research people did 10 years ago. Instead, we are currently researching topics that will shape the future. Topics such as Agile Organizations and Digital Disruption, Blockchain Technology, Creativity and Innovation, Digital Transformation and Business Model Innovation, Diversity, Education: Education Technology and Performance Management, HRTech, Leadership, and Teams. We are always early in noticing trends, technologies, strategies, and organizations that shape the future, which has its ups and downs.
🎯 Goals and Topics
Our goal is to open up scientific discussions on currently unexplored QT entrepreneurship. Current research themes include, but are not limited to:
- Founder human capital:
- Startup incubator/accelerators: What are the major incubator/accelerator programs (YC, CDL, Duality, Techstars, Plug n Play, etc.)? What are the most successful incubators/accelerators in the quantum space? How does participation relate to startup success (amount of funding, survival, team size, etc.)?
- Spin-outs: What relevant top universities / public research institutions have spun out quantum technology startups? Where are there white spots/areas of opportunities? What countries/ecosystems are good at encouraging startup creation?
- Quantum Strategies
- National quantum strategies: How do national quantum strategies differ, and how do they impact venture creation/success?
- German quantum ecosystem: Map all active actors in the German quantum ecosystem. Identify all government-funded initiatives and grants, and identify/classify where the money is going within the country's ecosystem
- Workforce
- Job market development: Analyze how the quantum tech startup workforce is developing by scraping job postings
- Team setup development: Review developments of quantum startup teams to identify successful themes and concepts
- Narratives
- Founder pitches: Use new emotion/sentiment analysis MLs to analyse the traits of startup founder pitches
🎓 Profile
Students should have a strong academic background and passion for (deep-tech) entrepreneurship. Previous experience in quantum computing is a benefit, but not needed. Hands-on experience with Python or other data analysis software is strongly recommended.
➕ Additional Information
We have a strong base set of high-quality data available for students to work with, although additional quantitative data gathering and validation will be expected to enrich the existing dataset.
In some cases, multiple students may be jointly developing/validating the same datasets. Collaboration will be encouraged where feasible.
Next to being able to supply data, we are well-positioned in the Bavarian quantum technology environment to connect students to researchers, startups, etc.
📄 Requirements for Work
Students should have a strong academic track record, good communication skills, and display a high degree of independence.
We do not want your research to gather dust in some corner of bookshelf but make it accessible to the world. Thus, we warmly encourage you to create some or all of the following:
- Infograph - visually represent some of your work (find examples here)
- Slide Deck - summarize your research and possibly present it
- 1-2 LinkedIn posts about the most important findings and summarizing the topic
- Optional: Medium Article - let people outside the university know about your research and start your personal brand
Please note that these deliverables are not officially required.
📝 How to Apply
If you are interested, please contact Philipp Sonnenschein via email (Subject: Application Quantum Computing Entrepreneurship Thesis - [Name]) by submitting your CV and grade report. Please also briefly outline your tentative research idea/interest in the email, as well as your ideal start date.
We're greatly looking forward to hearing more about you!
📬 Contact
Philipp Sonnenschein (Chair for Strategy and Organisation)