Are you interested in understanding why certain innovations are more successful than others? Do the psychological and sociological barriers of innovation adoption intrigue you? The Entrepreneurship and Innovation section at the Amsterdam Business School of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) invites applications for a PhD position in Innovation Management. We are looking for talented PhD candidates with the ambition to work and succeed at the highest international academic level.

Project description

Innovation is of utmost importance for the performance of firms and economies. However, the sociopsychological factors of innovation adoption are not well understood yet. This interdisciplinary project aims at better understanding the factors that can explain the success (and failures) of innovation and entrepreneurial projects, potentially applying machine learning algorithms. As a member of the entrepreneurship and innovation section and the Innovation Lab, you will have a lot of liberty to define your own research project or join one or more ongoing research projects carried out by the members of our section. The potential scope of this research project includes, but is not limited to, topics such as:

• The sociocognitive drivers and barriers of large-scale innovation adoptions;
• the psychological barriers of innovation projects at the individual, group, or regional level;
• the adoption of social and sustainable innovations and circular economic models;
• EXnovations vs. INnovations and the (dis)adoption of innovations;
• the barriers of new technology adoption, such as the adoption of blockchain, cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and machine learning technologies;
• the role of traditional vs. nontraditional professional identities in the adoption of innovations and new technologies;
• the psychological microfoundations of the social evaluation processes of new technologies, innovations, or entrepreneurs.

During your PhD, you will be trained to conduct quantitative empirical research aimed at advancing innovation management research in top-tier academic journals. You will also be a member of a newly formed research lab in the section: the Innovation Lab. As a member of the Innovation Lab within the Entrepreneurship and Innovation section, you will benefit from, and contribute to, the research agenda, networks, initiatives, resources, and the collegial environment in that Lab.

Your tasks

• Write up findings for publication in prestigious management journals;
• present research findings at leading conferences;
• attend classes and seminars (including those offered at other universities) to further develop thinking and research skills;
• participate in and contribute to departmental research functions (PhD Day, research seminars, and research meetings);
• assist in relevant teaching and knowledge dissemination activities.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in management, business administration, psychology, computer science, or a related discipline (expected to finish by September 2023);
• excellent communication, presentation and writing skills;
• an excellent command of English, ideally with experience writing for a scientific audience;
• commitment, perseverance and a cooperative attitude.

Preference will be given to applicants who

• Have a research master’s degree or equivalent;
• have excellent programming skills in one or more of the following languages like R, Python, C, C++ or statistical software like SPSS or Stata, and a strong willingness to develop these skills further.

Our offer

The compensation package is competitive at the European level and includes several secondary benefits. Favorable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants. To know more about working at the University of Amsterdam, please check this link and uva.nl/working-at-eb.

The employment contract will be for four years with an initial period of 18 months, with an intermediate evaluation after 18 months and a possibility to extend it for 30 months (in total four years). End-result should be a PhD thesis. An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) conferences.

The gross monthly salary will range from €2.541 in the first year to €3.247 (based on 38 hours per week) in the last year. The Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) for Dutch Universities is applicable.

Additionally, the University of Amsterdam offers excellent benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 29 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• possibility to save an additional 12 days of leave on an annual basis
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses, an internet and homework allowance

What else do we offer

• A function in which your own initiative and input are strongly valued;
• an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues;
• collaboration opportunities in an active and vibrant research lab;
• an inspiring academic and international work environment at the center of Amsterdam.

About UvA Economics and Business

Education and research at UvA Economics and Business (EB) cover a wide range of fields that includes economics, data science, business administration, business analytics, accountancy, control, econometrics, finance, and entrepreneurship. This is organised in 2 Schools: the Amsterdam Business School (ABS) and the Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE). Over 7,000 students are enrolled in our UvA Economics and Business programs, and around 500 employees provide education and support. You will primarily work in the Amsterdam Business School that acquired the triple-crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS), which is awarded to only 1% of business schools worldwide.

Find more information about Economics and Business on uva.nl/eb.

Find more information about the Amsterdam Business School on abs.uva.nl.

Find more information about the Amsterdam School of Economics on ase.uva.nl.

Department

The PhD position is with Prof. dr. Martin Obschonka, Dr. Balazs Szatmari, and other potential supervisors within the Entrepreneurship and Innovation section at the Amsterdam Business School of the University of Amsterdam. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation section has over 15 employees who do research and teach mainly in Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management, Applied Psychology, Management Science, Machine Learning, and Scientometrics. The members of the department have published their research in top-tier academic journals, such as Academy of Management Journal, Management Science, Journal of Applied Psychology, Organization Science, Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Management Studies, Organization Studies, Research Policy, and the Journal of Business Venturing. 

Members of the department are also involved in teaching in undergraduate- and master-level programs and uphold strong relationships with industry and business.