PhD student position in Innovation Management

PHD POSITION IN INNOVATION MANAGEMENT: DESIGNING AGILE ORGANIZATIONS TO MANAGE THE UNKNOWN

We are looking to recruit a PhD student within the broad field of innovation management. The topic of research is on how to manage and organize innovation in large organizations. More specifically, it investigates how large-scale technology-intensive organizations, facing radical uncertainty, can work with agile organizing. What are the organizational conditions, challenges and benefits?

Information about the project and the division
Technology development is intense in many industrial sectors today. Not only do large organizations have to work with high degrees of uncertainty, but there are often things that are not even known when projects are initiated. In some cases, traditional ways of organizing work are no longer suitable, and new methods and tools are being implemented, for instance agile methods. To understand agile ways of working, a design perspective on innovation is proposed as a framework as both traditions have emerged from practice, based on the need to address complex problems and uncertainty.

The PhD student is expected to undertake an ethnographic study of Zenuity, a joint venture between Volvo Cars and Veoneer (formerly Autoliv), that develops autonomous drive technologies and systems. Zenuity provides a unique research context because is an innovative player in the autonomous drive technology ecosystem, a product based, safety-critical industry. It was set up as an agile firm from the start in 2017, organizing all dimensions of work according to agile principles. The study is an ethnographic study that includes conducting interviews at Zenuity and with other relevant actors. The PhD student is also expected to communicate results from the project to industry as well as the international scientific community. The PhD project also entails course work, independent literature studies and the writing of a number of scientific articles based on the research results (to be included in the thesis).

The position is placed at the Division of Innovation and R&D Management (IRDM) at the Department of Technology Management and Economics (TME). The research at IRDM focuses on organizing and managing Innovation and R&D activities in large, established organizations. The research is undertaken in collaboration with both private and public organizations and focuses on challenges, mainly of strategic significance, that these organizations are facing. These challenges – often implying innovation challenges in terms of doing differently - call for change and development of ways of working and organizational redesign.

Major responsibilities
The main responsibility of a PhD student is to pursue doctoral studies in relation to a specific research topic. This includes two main components: doctoral courses and independent research (under supervision). The latter includes literature studies, research design and planning, empirical studies and communication of results in writing and orally at seminars and conferences. The exact focus and content of the studies will be decided in interaction with the main supervisor. The PhD student is expected to contribute to writing a number of scientific articles, based on the results of the research, which will be included in the thesis.

The position also includes teaching at the undergraduate or master's level or performing other departmental duties corresponding to a maximum of 20 percent of the working hours.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Qualifications
To be eligible for the position, the following two educational qualifications are required:
(1) A university degree at advanced (Master's) level in a relevant field of study, comprising at least four years of study (240 ECTS credits), whereof at least 60 ECTS credits at advanced (Master's) level (or equivalent). Examples of relevant fields of study include (but are not restricted to) industrial engineering and management, innovation management, industrial design, design management or similar.

(2) A completed independent degree project (thesis) at advanced (Master's) level, representing at least one term of study (30 ECTS credits).

We believe that you are highly motivated, personally mature and both able and willing to assume responsibility for and pursue the task at hand. You are good at communicating with others and are able to handle complex information and problems, breaking down and analysing problems as well as synthesizing information from several sources. You like to take the broader perspective and tend to consider the long-term consequences of decisions and actions, but are also able to make proper judgements and set appropriate priorities when needed.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application deadline: 27 April, 2020

Read more and apply here

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***