Summary
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) is offering a fully-funded PhD scholarship focused on understanding neurodivergent entrepreneurs. This project aims to explore how neurodivergent (ND) individuals, including those with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia, leverage their unique cognitive strengths in entrepreneurship and innovation, while also addressing potential challenges. Moving beyond a deficit-based view, the research will develop a nuanced theoretical framework and empirically examine ND profiles in both independent entrepreneurship and corporate intrapreneurship settings. The goal is to develop evidence-based interventions and support tools to unlock neurodivergent talent.
PhD Scholarship: Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs: Balancing Between Brilliance and Barriers
Designation
ERIM FT PhD vacancy
Scholarship Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Fully-funded and salaried PhD position (employee status) |
| FTE | 1 fte |
| Salary & Benefits | In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO) |
| Output | Series of publications in renowned academic journals, working papers, evidence-based intervention for entrepreneurs with ADHD, unique datasets, evidence-based recommendations. |
| Cooperation | Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship (ECE), specialized career coaches, Specialisterne network, and renowned scholars from international universities. |
| Societal Relevance | Aims to support more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems and workplaces, involving ND individuals, practitioners, and educators. |
| Scientific Relevance | Develops a balanced theoretical foundation for understanding ND in entrepreneurship, tests context-specific interventions, and investigates neurocognitive diversity in teams. |
Research Area
Neurodiversity / neurodivergence, cognitive diversity, entrepreneurship, innovation, self-regulation, ADHD, field experiment. The project explores the interplay of strengths and vulnerabilities of neurodivergent individuals in entrepreneurial contexts, examining sensory and information processing, emotion regulation, and executive functioning.
Location
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Eligibility/Qualification
- Completed (or close to completing) a Master’s degree in management, entrepreneurship, economics, or an adjacent field (e.g., psychology, medicine/psychiatry, neuroscience, sociology). Degrees from adjacent areas will be evaluated case-by-case based on motivation and research experience.
- Strong academic record, preferably demonstrated by a high GPA.
- GMAT or GRE scores are preferred (an additional assignment will be required if unavailable).
- A Research Master’s degree is an advantage.
- Experience with, or a strong interest in learning, methods such as field experiments, experience-sampling methods, and Qualitative Comparative Analysis is considered an advantage.
- Curious, ambitious, and independent researchers with a strong affinity for neurodiversity.
How to Apply
All required application documents for ERIM can be found on the ERIM website. For questions regarding the PhD application and selection procedure, applicants can check the Admissions page or send an e-mail to phdadmissions@erim.eur.nl.
Last Date for Apply
Thursday, 1 October 2026
Apply Link
