PhD position Economic Aspects of AI in Technical Industry

We seek a motivated and curious PhD candidate to join the High-tech Business & Entrepreneurship Department (HBE) section at the Faculty of Behavioural Management and Social Sciences (BMS) for our project: ELSA4TI (Ethical, Legal, Social, and economic Aspects for Technical Industry).

Key takeaways

• Join the University of Twente to research the economic impact and responsible implementation of AI in high-tech industries;
• Work in close collaboration with the University of Groningen, Tilburg University, and industry partners to shape the future of AI in Dutch manufacturing;
• Conduct case studies, surveys, scenario analyses, and foresight research to develop decision-support tools for AI adoption;
• A 4-year fully funded position, plus benefits, training, and career development opportunities;

Supervised by experienced scholars, embedded in the HBE section, with access to an international research community.

THE CHALLENGE
Are you passionate about the economic impact of AI? Do you aspire to contribute to responsible and strategic AI implementation in high-tech industries?

This PhD project is part of the ELSA4TI project, a joint research effort with the University of Groningen, Tilburg University, and industry partners. The aim is to evaluate all ELSA elements in technical industry and advise firms on responsible, strategic AI use.

Using literature reviews, case studies, survey research, and scenario analyses, you will help build actionable insights and decision-support tools for responsible AI adoption. You will work closely with academic experts and industrial collaborators, contributing directly to both theory and practice.

Your research will deliver frameworks that help organizations in the technical industry evaluate the economic balance of AI adoption, weighing investment and operating costs against measurable returns such as reduced labor input, improved product quality, longer machine uptime, shorter lead times, and more resilient supply chains. In doing so, you will provide firms with evidence-based blueprints for sustainable AI implementation, supporting both short-term efficiency gains and long-term strategic investment planning.

The project will be supervised by Dr. Vincent Delke and Dr. Rainer Harms, scholars at the intersection of technology, economics, and innovation management. As a PhD candidate, you will join a supportive, international research community within the HBE section of BMS.

We look for a highly motivated, curious researcher who has/is:

• A Master’s degree in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, Business & IT, Economics, Innovation Management, or equivalent experience;
• A strong interest in business administration, AI implementation, technology strategy, and innovation management;
• A good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment;
• Able to do independent research and willing to develop writing and publication skills;
• Possess good communication skills and an excellent command of English.

As a PhD candidate in this project, you will:

• Develop and carry out empirical research (both qualitative and quantitative) on the implications of integrating AI in manufacturing;
• Develop guidelines to support firms in adopting AI in an economically balanced and responsible way;
• Collaborate with consortium partners from academia, industry, and the public sector;
• Present findings at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals;
• Contribute to advancing interdisciplinary knowledge on AI and economics;
• Complete a doctoral dissertation based on a coherent set of conceptual, empirical, and applied studies.

A full-time, 4-year PhD position is available. We offer excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities. Additionally, we provide a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School, following the terms of employment outlined in the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO).

• Gross monthly salary of €3,059 in the first year, increasing each year to €3,881 in the fourth year;
• Excellent benefits, including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• 29 holidays per year in case of full-time employment;
• A training programme where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;
• A green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community;
• A family-friendly institution;
• As an employee at the UT, you will receive a full status, which includes pension, health care benefits, and good secondary conditions. This is all covered under our CAO-NU for Dutch universities.

The HBE department aims to build an encouraging work environment. We provide equal opportunities to all job applicants. Our selection process is based solely on competence and ability. We also offer flexible working conditions on an individual basis to promote work-life balance, which may include employment contracts, working hours, location, or childcare arrangements.

The High Business Entrepreneurship corporate video can be watched via this link.