Research topic

Digital technologies are changing the role of employees’ psychological needs like autonomy, competence and relatedness in organizational contexts. This shift in individual attitudes and behaviors, paired with technological advancement, leads to new expectations and roles in the digital workplace. As these practical societal challenges are related to theoretical questions, this four-year research project aims to shed light on the evolving organizational-cultural factors, leadership qualities and responsibilities needed to meet the psychological needs of employees in a constantly evolving technological landscape. These are critical on various levels to commit employees to the organization and enable them to thrive in the digital workplace and also to achieve organizational performance and competitive advantage. As a Ph.D. student, you will be crucial to this multi-layered project. You will collaborate closely with a diverse supervisory team to conduct research across various levels of analysis: individual, team, and organizational.

The challenge

The research carried out during this PhD assignment is expected to contribute to both theoretical advancements and practical applications. These implications include:

• Identifying problems in the existing digital workplace (literature) and setting an agenda for future research on culture, leadership and responsibility;
• Deepening the understanding of the association between digital transformation and organizational culture;
• Advancing theorizing of leadership during digital transformation of work;
• Developing theory-based interventions and practices for organizations to consider social, ecological and ethical responsibility;
• Equipping organizations with the critical factors to support employees' psychological needs.

We look for a highly motivated, enthusiastic researcher who is driven by curiosity and has/is:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in organizational behavior, psychology, communication science, international management, or information systems;
• Affinity and/or experience in various (high-tech) research methods in social sciences (qualitative, quantitative, or a mix);
• 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, publication, and presentation skills;
• Exhibit a strong passion and possess outstanding skills in interdisciplinary high-tech, human-centered, cross-cultural research in the business domain;

Possess good communication skills and an excellent command of English.

We encourage high responsibility and independence while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff and partners. We follow the terms of employment by the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO). Our offer contains: a fulltime 4-year PhD position with a qualifier in the first year; excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities; and a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. It also includes:

• Gross monthly salary of € 2.770 in the first year, increasing each year up to € 3.539 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 program as part of the Twente Graduate School 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 that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
• A full status as an employee at the UT, including pension, health care benefits and good secondary conditions are part of our collective labour agreement CAO-NU for Dutch universities.

The HBE cluster is dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive working culture. Our aim is that all job applicants are given equal opportunities. When we select candidates for employment, it will be on the basis of their competence and ability. To support the workforce diversity, we are open to offer flexible working conditions on an individual basis to support work-life balance, that may include contract of employment, working hours and location, or child care arrangements.

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