PhD Vacancy: Knowledge Creation and Sharing in Augmented Organisations

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam seeks a doctoral researcher to study how generative AI changes learning, expertise and relationships at work. The PhD is a four-year project within EMANAIRE, a Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network.

You will be based at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, collaborating with an international network of researchers and universities, with a six-month secondment planned. Your research focuses on everyday organisational life as AI becomes more integrated at work.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in a relevant field such as organisation studies, sociology, anthropology, or information systems.
• Experience with qualitative research and ethnography is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct ethnographic fieldwork including interviews and observations.
• Keep detailed fieldnotes and analyse data with the team.
• Contribute to joint training and reports within the EMANAIRE network.

Education

Master's degree in organisation studies, sociology, anthropology, STS, information systems or related fields

Job description

Organisation/Company Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Department School of Business and Economics Research Field Economics » Business economics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 18 Oct 2026 - 23:11 (Europe/Amsterdam) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

We are looking for a doctoral researcher to study how generative AI is changing learning, expertise and relationships at work.

The PhD is a four year project that is part of EMANAIRE (Empowering Human Agency in AI-Augmented Futures of Work), a Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network. You will be based at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, while working as part of an international network of doctoral researchers and universities. The programme includes joint training, research seminars, methods workshops and opportunities to collaborate with partner institutions across Europe. A six-month secondment is planned as part of the project.

Your research will focus on what happens when generative AI becomes part of everyday organisational life. You will study how early-career employees learn their jobs, seek help, develop expertise and deal with responsibility when AI is increasingly involved in their work.

This is a qualitative research project, with substantial ethnographic fieldwork where you will be interviewing and observing people in organizations. Relevant masters degree backgrounds include organisation studies, sociology, anthropology, STS, information systems or related fields. We are not looking for a primarily quantitative or experimental researcher. The project does not involve building AI systems.

This project requires someone who is curious about people and organisations. You need be comfortable approaching and talking with a range of people, building relationships in the field, listening carefully and noticing what happens around you. Ethnographic research also requires persistence. You will be expected to problem solve on the go, keep detailed fieldnotes, conduct and analyse interviews, and share your findings with the team. KIN is a collaborative research group and we regularly share work-in-progress for feedback.

Specific Requirements

Because this position is part of an MSCA Doctoral Network, specific eligibility conditions apply: Candidates can be of any nationality but must not already hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment. Under the MSCA mobility rule , candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.