The Auditing PhD Scholarship 2026-2027 at Copenhagen Business School (CBS) offers an opportunity for qualified graduates to pursue doctoral research in auditing in Denmark. The position is based within the Department of Accounting and provides a three-year fully salaried PhD position with research and academic support.
The PhD project can explore contemporary issues in auditing, including artificial intelligence, audit firm ownership, sustainability assurance, regulator-auditor relationships, and interactions between clients and auditors. Candidates will become part of the auditing research group at Copenhagen Business School and have opportunities to engage with researchers, professionals, and international research networks.
Applications for this PhD position must reach Copenhagen Business School by 11 November 2026.
| Scholarship Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Auditing PhD Scholarship 2026-2027 |
| Host Institution | Copenhagen Business School |
| Department | Department of Accounting |
| Study Level | PhD |
| Field | Auditing and Accounting |
| Country | Denmark |
| Location | Copenhagen |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Funding Type | Fully Salaried |
| Monthly Salary | Approx. DKK 30,264–36,877 |
| Pension Contribution | 18.07% |
| Tuition Fees | Included |
| Research/Travel Costs | Included according to CBS agreement |
| Teaching Requirement | 416 work hours |
| Application Deadline | 11 November 2026 |
The salary varies according to seniority and is provided under the applicable Danish collective agreement. The position also includes a pension contribution.
The Auditing PhD Scholarship is offered by the Department of Accounting at Copenhagen Business School. The selected candidate will join the school's auditing research group and conduct doctoral-level research under academic supervision.
The research opportunity is particularly relevant for candidates interested in how auditing is changing in response to technological, organizational, and regulatory developments.
Suggested research areas include:
Generative AI and the auditing profession
Audit firm ownership and private equity
Sustainability auditing and assurance
Regulator-auditor interaction
Client-auditor relationships
Audit firm organization and governance
Applicants are not restricted to one specific research topic, but their proposed project should demonstrate a clear and original research question within the auditing research area.
The position provides financial and academic support throughout the three-year PhD period.
Key benefits include:
Fully salaried PhD employment
Three years of funding
Monthly salary of approximately DKK 30,264 to DKK 36,877, depending on seniority
18.07% pension contribution
Tuition fees covered
Office space
Support for courses
Research and travel costs according to the applicable CBS agreement
Academic supervision and participation in the auditing research environment
The PhD position also includes teaching obligations equivalent to 416 work hours during the three years.
Applicants must satisfy the academic requirements set by Copenhagen Business School.
To be eligible, candidates should:
Hold a Master's degree corresponding to the 3+2 Bologna process
Have completed the Master's programme before beginning the PhD at CBS
Have obtained a grade of 10 or equivalent for the Master's thesis under the Danish 7-point grading scale
Have a weighted GPA of at least 8.2 for the combined Bachelor's and Master's degrees, or at least 9.5 for the Master's degree alone
Alternatively, provide documentation showing that they were among the top 40% of their class where the stated GPA requirement is not met
Demonstrate a high level of academic English in both written and spoken communication
In exceptional cases, the grade requirement may be waived. Applicants should carefully review the official requirements before submitting their application.
The scholarship is primarily connected with accounting and auditing research. However, applicants from other social science backgrounds may also be considered if they have a strong interest in auditing as a research field.
Copenhagen Business School's auditing research environment includes researchers from different academic backgrounds, allowing candidates to develop interdisciplinary research projects where appropriate.
Applicants need to submit a complete set of supporting documents with their online application.
The required materials include:
Bachelor's degree certificate or equivalent
Master's degree certificate or equivalent
Academic transcripts
Proof of being in the top 40% of the class, if applicable
Concise CV
List of publications, if applicable
One selected piece of written academic work, such as a Master's thesis
Five-page research project description
Applicants should make sure that all documents are prepared according to the requirements before submitting the application.
One of the most important components of the application is the five-page project description.
The proposed research project should include:
An original research question
An initial theoretical framework
Proposed research methodology
Description of the expected empirical material
A three-year work plan
The research proposal should clearly demonstrate what the applicant intends to investigate and how the research will be conducted during the PhD period.
Applicants must submit their applications through the official Copenhagen Business School application system.
Before applying, candidates should prepare their research project, academic documents, CV, and selected written work. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the position requirements and ensure that all required appendices are included.
Candidates interested in discussing the position before applying may contact Professor Thomas Riise Johansen for informal information and discussion.
The complete application, including all supporting documents, must be received by Copenhagen Business School by 11 November 2026.
The application deadline for the Auditing PhD Scholarship is:
11 November 2026
All application materials and appendices must be submitted by the deadline. Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day to upload their documents, particularly because the application requires a detailed five-page research project description.
The PhD position provides candidates with an opportunity to work within an internationally oriented accounting department. During the programme, researchers can develop their academic expertise in auditing while participating in the department's research environment.
The position also encourages engagement with auditing firms, professionals and international research networks. This can provide doctoral researchers with exposure to both academic research and contemporary developments in the auditing profession.
The Auditing PhD Scholarship 2026-2027 in Denmark is a doctoral research opportunity at Copenhagen Business School for candidates interested in auditing and related research areas. The three-year position provides a salary, pension contribution, tuition coverage, and support for research-related expenses under the applicable CBS agreement.
Applicants should focus on preparing a strong and original research proposal while ensuring that their academic qualifications and supporting documents meet the stated requirements.
Interested candidates should submit their complete application to Copenhagen Business School before the 11 November 2026 deadline. Apply Now