PhD Position “AI use in Strategic Forecasting and Organizational Change” (m/f/d)

University of St.Gallen; Lavamünd; On-site; EUR 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

University of St.Gallen invites applications for a research associate to assist Professor Murmann in cutting-edge research, teaching, and collaboration with industry partners. The role emphasizes AI-driven strategic forecasting and organizational change within an international research project.

The successful candidate will enroll in the PMA PhD program under Prof. J. Peter Murmann, contributing to publications and conferences while working in a dynamic, cross‑functional team environment.

Qualifications

• Outstanding Master's degree from a leading university or business school.
• Intellectually curious and interested in thinking about complex ideas.
• Strong interest in AI use in strategic forecasting and organizational change.
• Prior research experience and a demonstrated ability to write scientifically or in other publication formats.
• Demonstrated aptitude to work on analytical problems.
• Stays self-organized and can manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Pays strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrates a proactive, hands-on attitude towards work and asks questions early.
• Comfortable working in a team environment.
• Has strong statistical skills.
• Communicates fluently in German and English.
• Prior to applying, please check with the admissions and crediting office, whether your academic CV is compatible with the University's admission regulations for PhD.

Responsibilities

• Assist Professor Murmann in research, teaching, and company projects.
• Engage in challenging research according to international standards.
• Write scientific publications and participate in international conferences.
• Enroll in the PhD program in Management at the University of St.Gallen (PMA) with Prof. J. Peter Murmann as supervisor.

Skills

Statistical skills

German fluency

English fluency

Research experience

Publication writing

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Proactive attitude

Attention to detail

Multitasking

AI forecasting

Education

Master's degree

Job description

• The person will assist Professor Murmann in research, teaching, and company projects


• Challenging research according to international standards


• Writing of scientific publications and participation in international conferences


• Candidates for this position are expected to enroll in the PhD program in Management at the University of St. Gallen (PMA), with the doctoral supervisor being Prof. J. Peter Murmann

Your tasks

• The person will assist Professor Murmann in research, teaching, and company projects


• Challenging research according to international standards


• Writing of scientific publications and participation in international conferences


• Candidates for this position are expected to enroll in the PhD program in Management at the University of St. Gallen (PMA), with the doctoral supervisor being Prof. J. Peter Murmann

Your profile

• Outstanding Master's degree from a leading university or business school


• Intellectually curious and interested in thinking about complex ideas


• Strong interest in the research topic of AI use in strategic forecasting and organizational change


• Prior research experience and a demonstrated ability to write scientifically or in other publication formats


• Demonstrated aptitude to work on analytical problems


• Stays self-organized and can manage multiple projects simultaneously


• Pays strong attention to detail


• Demonstrates a proactive, hands-on attitude towards work and asks questions early


• Comfortable working in a team environment


• Has strong statistical skills


• Communicates fluently in German and English


• Important: Prior to applying, please check with the admissions and crediting office, whether your academic CV is compatible with the University's admission regulations for PhD: https://www.unisg.ch/de/studium/zulassung/zulassung-doktorat/

Professor Murmann has spent 20 years in the USA and 12 years in the Asia-Pacific region and maintains a strong network of collaborators at leading universities around the world. He has embarked on an exciting new research project that promises both a fundamental contribution to science and considerable practical value in helping companies strengthen their strategic capabilities. Building on earlier work in scenario planning, the project pursues two themes. First, it investigates how artificial intelligence can improve strategic forecasting by anticipating the major environmental trends that will shape a company's business. A particular focus lies on harnessing the wisdom-of-crowds effect by aggregating the judgments of an ensemble of diverse AI agents. Second, it asks what distinguishes firms that change successfully from those that fail to do so, and how AI can help to identify these characteristics by analyzing large bodies of evidence on organizational change. The project sits at the intersection of strategy, organization theory, computer science, and statistics. The research associate would join the project team.

Inspirational Work Environment

At the HSG, as Europe's leading business university, we operate in an entrepreneurial environment where you will meet highly qualified, ambitious experts - both regionally and internationally. For example, you benefit from a modern IT infrastructure and, in our library via HSGswisscovery, from nationwide access to the wealth of scientific information available.

Executive Education

We support internal and external executive education opportunities. Our internal executive education programme offers you a practical, dedicated and didactically mature transfer of knowledge in the form of seminars, e-learning, coaching and collegial advice. We support task-specific external training and executive education financially as well as with regard to the time required.

Network

We promote our culture of cross‑functional collaboration and create space for forging valuable relationships - also with external partners. Regular exchanges and internal events help to strengthen these relationships and make them long‑lasting.

Family & Career

We provide our employees with flexible work time models with a variable number of hours per week. As a family-friendly employer, we offer part‑time positions, 16 weeks of maternity leave and a subsidised crèche, as well as support with childcare during the vacations.

Equal Opportunities

The University enables equal opportunities for all employees and students. This applies to degree courses and work, as well as academic careers, university management positions and the reconciliation of studies, work and private commitments. We are committed to this with various measures in the areas of teaching, research, administration and the Presidency.

Fit and Healthy

We help you stay fit and healthy. In addition to our diverse range of sports activities at the university, most of which are free of charge, and campaign weeks for corporate health management, we also offer you fruit in the workplace. In our canteen you will find a wide selection of freshly prepared meals - from vegetarian to fish dishes - at discounted prices.

Further information on working at the HSG can be found here.

University of St.Gallen

A place where knowledge is created - As one of Europe's leading universities of economics and business administration, the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, is committed to the education of over 10'000 students. The HSG is one of the largest employers in the region and provides an attractive and innovative environment for more than 3'800 researchers, educators and professional staff.