The Human Performance Management (HPM) Group of the School of Industrial Engineering, in collaboration with the Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute (EAISI), is looking for a PhD-student on human-AI collaboration at work (4-years; 1.0 FTE).

The School of Industrial Engineering is one of the longest-established IE Schools in Europe,
with a strong presence in the international research- and education community. Operations Management and Operations Research are at the core of the undergraduate IE program.
The graduate programs (MSc and PhD) in Operations Management & Logistics and in Innovation Management attract top-level students from all over the world. Researchers participate in industrial activities with members of, amongst others, the European Supply Chain Forum.

Human Performance Management (HPM) at TU/e develops scientific knowledge and tests theories that uncover and explain (psychological) processes contributing to performance at the organizational, team and individual level. By examining the 'people factor' in operational and innovation processes, HPM aims to ensure that employees can help in bringing organizational strategies to fruition in the most rewarding and efficient way possible.

The Eindhoven AI Systems Institute (EAISI) combines all TU/e Artificial Intelligence activities. Top researchers from various research groups work together to create new and exciting AI methodologies and applications with a direct impact on the real world. TU/e has been active in the field of AI for many years, which gives the new institute an excellent starting position to build upon.

The project
In many organizations and across industries, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way
we work. AI-systems are implemented to assist employees with decision making, to decrease workload, or to increase efficiency. Although promising, transforming traditional operations into ones that rely on autonomous systems brings many challenges. For example, when using AI planning systems, users frequently experience difficulties in using and trusting these systems and, as a consequence, deviate from their advice. Prior research highlights the impact of system characteristics (e.g. reliability) on human-AI collaboration. However, these studies disregard the important influence of contextual factors on human-AI collaboration such as organizational climate, various leadership styles or other social and societal features. Therefore, one important challenge concerns the consideration of these different contextual factors when designing and implementing AI-systems at work. To successfully integrate these systems in organizational processes, it is therefore critical to understand when and why users are (un)willing to adopt these systems in their work routines and how we can stimulate its effective usage. The goal of this PhD-project is to address these issues by answering the following research questions:
(1) Which contextual factors (e.g. organizational climate, leadership) and societal factors
(e.g. COVID-19 pandemic), impact planners' willingness to use AI planning systems?
(2) How can human-centered AI and work design help to improve human-AI collaboration?

We expect you to:

• further develop the project proposal based on academic literature, and in collaboration with ESCF industry partners
• design empirical (field) studies
• design lab/online experiments
• statistically analyze data obtained from field studies and experiments and report on results
• communicate practical implications of your research to specific stakeholders/the general public
• present the findings of your research at (inter)national scientific conferences
• publish papers in internationally renowned academic journals

This PhD project is part of the AI PLANNER OF THE FUTURE program. This ambitious research program is hosted by the TU/e-based Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences and is supported by the European Supply Chain Forum, Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences, the Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute, and the Logistics Community Brabant. The program connects to the different communities, moonshots strategic agendas and the themes of each of these supporting partners. It combines 25 researchers, 10 PhD students and over 50 Bachelor and Master students, for the coming five years (2021-2026). This AI PLANNER OF THE FUTURE program considers the explicit intertwining of technical and human elements in the context of AI planning for supply chains and logistics, considering all relevant performance indicators (people, profit, and the planet).

The AI PLANNER OF THE FUTURE program
This ambitious research program is hosted by the TU/e-based Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences and is supported by the European Supply Chain Forum, Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences, the Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute, and the Logistics Community Brabant. The program connects to the different communities, moonshots strategic agendas and the themes of each of these supporting partners. It combines 25 researchers, 10 PhD students and over 50 Bachelor and Master students, for the coming five years (2021-2026). This AI PLANNER OF THE FUTURE program considers the explicit intertwining of technical and human elements in the context of
AI planning for supply chains and logistics, considering all relevant performance indicators
(people, profit, and the planet).

This vacancy is for:

Project 2: Context matters: optimizing shared decision making in real-world forecasting and inventory management, Le Blanc, van de Calseyde, Ulfert   PhD on human-AI collaboration at work

• Recently completed (or be close to completion of) a Master's degree in Work & Organizational Psychology, Management Science, Industrial Engineering, or related fields.
• Demonstrable experience in conducting empirical and/or experimental research, including knowledge of and demonstrable experience with applying (state of the art) statistical techniques.
• Excellent mastering of the English language and good communication skills. Note that there is no Dutch language requirement.

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences.
• A full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months.
• To develop your teaching skills, you will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will make a Training and Supervision plan and you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program).
• A gross monthly salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
• Should you come from abroad and comply with certain conditions, you can make use of the so-called '30% facility', which permits you not to pay tax on 30% of your salary.
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.