Dear Entrepreneurship Community,
I am happy to share that I have a PhD student spot (funded) starting in Fall 2026. Please feel free to contact me (tlmichae@ncsu.edu) with questions. If you have or know of any potential students (MBA or undergraduates with some research experience) interested in entrepreneurship research, I have a lot of interesting projects that they can join while working to develop their own research pipeline. I can also provide mentorship in quantitative methods (R programming) and introduce these students to a great co-author network. Please review my Google page to see if any of my papers match with the students interests.
Please note that this PhD student position is in the Psychology Department at NC State University (yes, I've moved schools this year). Below are additional details - please don't hesitate to reach out!
All the best,
Tim Michaelis
PhD Student Position in Applied Social Psychology – For Fall 2026
Entrepreneurship Research with Dr. Tim Michaelis at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
The Department of Psychology at North Carolina State University invites applications for a fully funded PhD student position in Applied Social Psychology under the mentorship of Dr. Tim Michaelis. This position offers a unique opportunity to conduct cutting-edge, theory-driven research at the intersection of psychology and entrepreneurship. Applications are Due December 1st here: https://psychology.chass.ncsu.edu/graduate/admission-info/
Research Focus
The successful applicant will join Dr. Michaelis's research group, which investigates the psychological and behavioral dynamics of entrepreneurship. Research topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Entrepreneurial resourcefulness and how individuals creatively mobilize limited resources.
- Persistence and perseverance in the face of entrepreneurial challenges.
- Entrepreneur health and well-being, including stress, burnout, and resilience.
- Hybrid entrepreneurship, or combining paid employment with entrepreneurial ventures.
- Psychological determinants of business pivots, focusing on prospect theory and regulatory focus theory.
- Crime and unethical behavior in the entrepreneurial process, exploring moral decision-making under pressure.
- Advancing research methods, quantitative methods in entrepreneurship research
The position is research-focused, emphasizing rigorous empirical methods and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students will have access to rich data sources, opportunities for publication, and professional development support for pursuing an academic or research-oriented career. Opportunities to teach classes are available as well.
Funding and Expectations
The PhD position is fully funded for three years under a research assistantship, with a likely extension to a fourth year through a teaching assistantship or research assistantship. Funding covers tuition, health insurance, and a competitive stipend. The selected student will contribute to ongoing research projects while developing an independent line of inquiry aligned with the lab's overarching themes. Note - I am motivated to have my students graduate in 4 years with multiple publications oriented at top tier journals.
Qualifications
- An interest to study entrepreneurship, innovation, and/or organizational behavior related phenomena.
- A strong background in psychology, management, or a related social science discipline.
- Research experience (e.g., independent study, thesis, lab work) and familiarity with quantitative methods.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Application Procedure
Interested applicants should contact Dr. Tim Michaelis (email: tlmichae@ncsu.edu) with the subject line "PhD Application – Applied Social Psychology." Please include a brief statement of research interests and a CV. Competitive applicants will be encouraged to formally apply through the NC State Graduate School. Applications are Due December 1st here: https://psychology.chass.ncsu.edu/graduate/admission-info/
About NC State and Raleigh
North Carolina State University is a leading public research institution known for its strength in science, technology, and social science research. The Department of Psychology has a vibrant community of scholars focused on applying psychological theory to real-world problems.
Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, NC State is part of the dynamic Research Triangle, alongside Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill (which have a course share program where PhD students can take inter-institutional courses for free). Raleigh consistently ranks among the top U.S. cities for quality of life, innovation, and affordability. The region offers a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, a collaborative academic environment, and access to numerous cultural and outdoor amenities.
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Tim Michaelis
Northern Illinois University
Geneva IL
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