Do you want to take part in a research project that aims to improve organizations’ ability to plan and manage the development of new successful combined product-service innovations? We are recruiting a PhD student within the field of service innovation management. The research is conducted in close collaboration with national and international universities and a number of manufacturing companies.
Information about the project
Many traditionally product-focused manufacturing companies are innovating by integrating services to their physical products as a competitive strategy, known as servitization. Servitization is essentially about competing through value propositions that integrate services with product offerings. Servitization is also described as the process of transforming the company from a product centric to a servic logic. However, companies are facing big challenges in this servitization transformation. The research project aims to contribute to increasing companies’ capability to develop combined product-service innovations. This is done by focusing on organizational structure and processes, as well as strategy processes.
The transition towards developing combined product-service innovations often takes significantly longer time than expected, and the proportion of the company’s sales that comes from different types of services often does not grow as fast as expected. A hypothesis is that companies are not good enough at exploiting the ideas regarding new product-service innovations that exist in the company. The reason for this is that this type of innovations usually has to combine competence and creativity from different parts and levels in the company, which complicates the innovation process.
The PhD project will be conducted in close collaboration with the Center for Service Research at Karlstad University and a number of manufacturing companies. The project will also include international collaboration for example through the ongoing establishment of a ”Nordic Engineering Services Network”, including Chalmers, Karlstad University, DTU (Technical University of Denmark) and CBS (Copenhagen Business School) in Copenhagen, and Aalto University in Helsinki.
Information about the division
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 for you as 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 examiner/main supervisor. You are 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.
More information about the Graduate school can be found here.
Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position you need a university degree at advanced (Master’s) level in a relevant field of study, including, but not restricted to; industrial engineering and management, product development, innovation management, business administration or similar. The degree consist of at least four years of study (240 ECTS credits), of which at least 60 ECTS credits at advanced level. A specific requirement is that you have completed an independent degree project (thesis) at Master’s level, representing at least one term of study (30 ECTS credits).
To be suitable for the position you should have good interpersonal and social skills, analytical skills and strong communication skills. You need to be fluent in English, both written and verbal.
Valuable merits:
– Documented skills in applying social science research methods, especially qualitative methods.
– Knowledge about service innovation management.
– Experience from the manufacturing industry.
– Willingness to conduct collaborative research with industry and other universities.
– Experience in project management (including management of own degree project or similar).
– Distinctive ability to write academic texts.
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, through breaking it down and analysing it as well as synthesizing information from several sources. You tend to look at the broader perspective and to consider the long-term consequences of decisions and actions, but are also able to make proper judgements and set appropriate priorities when needed.
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Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20210463 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:
CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.
Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus
Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.
Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).
Application deadline: 7 November, 2021
For questions, please contact:
Magnus Persson, Associate professor and intended main supervisor
magper@chalmers.se
Ingrid Johansson Mignon, unit manager IRDM
ingrid.mignon@chalmers.se
*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***
Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!
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