PhD scholarship in “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Managerial Work and Manager Well-Being” - DTU Engineering Technology

The Department of Engineering Technology at the Technical University of Denmark invites applications for a 3-year PhD position in investigating the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on managers’ work, starting January 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter in 2025. The position is part of a joint Alliance research project between KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and DTU. The position is affiliated with the Strategy and Leadership Development research group, which aims to develop new knowledge and rethink how workplaces and organizations understand management and organization of work when implementing new technologies and facing societal and technological changes.​

The rise of large language models has sparked the discussion of the influence of AI on work processes and, thus, future work roles and the well-being of employees. While research is already investigating the AI impact on employees, little is known about the impact on managers' work, especially their tasks, roles, and well-being when their tasks are automated and work augmented. This PhD project explores how AI affects managers, their roles and tasks, decision-making, and employee relationships.

Responsibilities and qualifications
While existing research has mainly focused on the impact of AI on organizations and their employees, this PhD project fills a critical gap by examining its effects specifically on managers' work and their well-being. Understanding how AI influences managerial roles and decision-making is essential for organizations navigating the transformations to AI-supported businesses. The PhD project will thus address questions such as:

• How is AI influencing and changing managerial work? 
• How do different experiences with AI influence managerial attitudes toward AI?
• And how do the management with AI and the management by AI influence managers’ job satisfaction and well-being at work?
• How can organizations support managers in this change, and how can a systemic view of the different aspects of AI's impact on managerial work be derived?

As a PhD student, you will: 

• Be responsible for conducting your own research project
• Have the opportunity to teach and supervise engineering students at both DTU and KTH
• Contribute to new knowledge about the influence of AI on managerial work
• Strive to publish your work worldwide in recognized journals 
• Work in close collaboration with researchers from DTU and KTH
• Present your work at international conferences 
• Discuss exciting research with your colleagues at weekly research meetings 

This PhD project will be supervised by Associate Professor Kathrin Kirchner as the main supervisor and Associate Professor Kasper Edwards (DTU) together with Professor Mats Engwall and Associate Professor Emrah Karakaya from KTH as co-supervisors. The project includes recurrent visits to and an extended research exchange stay at KTH in Stockholm.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree, as well as

• Knowledge about Artificial Intelligence use in organizations, preferably from a management perspective 
• Basic understanding of artificial intelligence methods at a technical level
• The ability to work independently
• Good communication skills in English, both written and spoken
• Documented experiences with research methods, especially conducting, processing, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

Assessment
The applicants will be assessed by Associate Professor Kathrin Kirchner and Associate Professor Kasper Edwards. The interviews are planned to take place in November 2024.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The starting date is 1st January 2025 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position that requires regular physical presence in the department. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Kathrin Kirchner (kakir@dtu.dk). 

You can read more about DTU Engineering Technology at https://engtech.dtu.dk/ 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 25 October 2024 (23:59 Danish time). 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• A short text (max. 2 A4 pages) where you outline your research vision within the PhD topic

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

About us
DTU Engineering Technology develops tools and methods for successfully implementing technology and state-of-the-art engineering education. Our activities are organized in several research sections focusing on engineering education research and research in technology implementation within a wide range of engineering fields, covering both technical, organizational, and business aspects of the implementation process.

The Strategy and Leadership Development Group studies organizations and organizing for and of societal transformation, whether that be towards sustainability, technological entrepreneurship, or public governance. We focus on the role of novel and established technologies in enabling green transitions and societal progress by and in organizations. 

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.