You will take on one of the most ambitious topics in the field of industrialization: digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) with autonomous machines, sensor data, and decision support systems. The challenge remains that despite technological advances, the use of AI technologies remains below expectations in industry practice. Effective use of these novel technologies would enable precision farming and manufacturing as well as sustainable intensification, which can have profound impacts on climate change and economic performance. In this PhD project, you will explore a rich contextual understanding of human-AI interactions. Shining light into the interactions of manual laborers and AI will contribute novel understanding of how human-AI configurations at work emerge.

The challenge

The research carried out during this PhD assignment is expected to contribute to theoretical advancements and practical applications. Tasks the candidate is expected to execute include:

• Identify problems and set an agenda for future research on AI in manufacturing and agriculture;
• Deepen the understanding of human-AI work through fieldwork, including qualitative (interviews), quantitative (experiments, surveys), and/or computational (digital traces) approaches;
• Advance theory on digital transformation of work from manual labour to knowledge worker;
• Develop and validate technical and organizational interventions that help industrial SMEs adopt novel AI-based technologies successfully;
• Equip SMEs with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively use AI and succeed in times of machine learning and AI.

As a doctoral student, your key responsibilities will be to manage and carry out research projects within 48 months and write a PhD thesis. You will participate in research and training activities and disseminate research in the scientific community (international journals and conferences) and non-scientific community by outreach and public engagement.

You will also be responsible for taking courses per the research education and liaising with the other research staff, students, and partner institutions working in broad areas relevant to the research project.

Participation in other department duties, such as meetings, or teaching, is expected to cover a maximum scope of 20%.

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

• a master’s degree or equivalent in information systems, organizational psychology, organizational behaviour, business administration, computer science or engineering with a human-centred focus, or adjacent disciplines;
• an affinity and/or experience with empirical and/or design research methods in information systems (qualitative, quantitative, and/or computational);
• a strong team spirit and likes to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment;
• can carry out independent research and is willing to develop writing and publication skills;
• can collaborate with partners from academia and industry;
• exhibits a strong passion and possesses outstanding skills in interdisciplinary high-tech, human-centred research in the business domain;
• possesses strong communication skills and an excellent command of the English language as well as Dutch/German language due to the nature of the fieldwork.

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 programme 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.

Hybrid work arrangements in correspondence with the research project’s requirements

The HBE department 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.

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