Doctoral student in digital skills, competence supply and organization - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

Third-cycle subject: 

Industrial Engineering and Management

The digital transformation creates new jobs that require new skills. The need for complex technical skills, such as software development and AI, is combined with the ability to utilize the new opportunities effectively in organizations. Business models with a high level of user- and market data impose demands on real-time planning and new collaborations within organizations.

Industry federations, state agencies and international institutions point at the needs of competencies of companies and organizations today, which are reportedly lacking. The shortage is considered a growth barrier. In particular, several digital skills are identified both as increasing demand for and difficult recruitment.

In the current research project, we want to explore issues related to digital skills in companies and industries where digital transformation accelerates. Possible areas may be industrial needs of digital conversion of labor, forms of higher education in relation to industry, skills gap analyses and growth issues in relation to digital transformation.

We will define final initial research questions together.

One starting point is a software development program that KTH has been running since 2017 for academics with a foreign background. The education is based on accelerated learning pedagogy as well as close collaboration with business in both requirement analysis and implementation. An evaluation of this software development program in relation to industry and the labor market will be included.

The research project is multidisciplinary and offers both a platform for developing excellent skills as a researcher and an opportunity to contribute to an innovative and fast-growing subfield in industrial economics and management.

The research is partly financed by the European Social Fund.

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic international research environment in close cooperation with industries and advanced universities the world over.
• Life-long network through KTH's Alumni organization.
• A personal study plan to support your development within your areas of interest.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement.
• Work and study in Stockholm, one of Europe´s fastest growing capitals, which is close to both nature and the sea.
• Help to relocate and get settled in Sweden and at KTH.
• A research project with proximity to industry.

Eligibility

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a degree at advanced level,
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
• in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.

The applicant's undergraduate education can be in different fields, although we believe that a Master of Science in Business Administration or Management, a degree in Business Administration with a major or similar organization is appropriate backgrounds.

Selection

In order to succeed as an doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. In the selection of the applicants, the following will be assessed:

• ability to independently pursue his or hers work,
• ability to collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.

The prospective doctoral student is also expected to have a strong interest in the various possibilities of digital transformation. Problem solving and creativity is a must as well as ability to write text. Applicants must be strongly motivated for research studies, capable of independent work and critical analysis, and have good cooperation and communication skills. Very good knowledge of English in speech and writing is a prerequisite for being able to participate in international collaborations and to publish and present research results in international conferences and journals.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those who are or have been admitted to third-cycle studies may be employed as a doctoral student. The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year and may thereafter be extended. Doctoral students may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/entral European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copy of the degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records from your previously attended university-level institutions. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in one of these languages.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality as well as core values in our organization.

For information about Processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.