PhD student position in Innovation Leadership to recruit a PhD student in innovation leadership, research lies in the intersection
We are now looking to recruit a PhD student in innovation leadership. The field of research lies in the intersection between leadership studies and innovation management, with a specific focus on the construction industry in Sweden. This industry is ongoingly berated for its lacking performance. A succession of governmental reports and research have concluded that the industry suffers from excessive production costs, low efficiency, slow delivery, unsafe workplaces, and failure to innovate, among other things. While the various stakeholders recognize the urgent need to address these shortcomings, transformation and change have remained slow and disappointing. Leadership research has established a convincing correlation between leadership and successful change on group-, organizational-, and industry levels. Despite these promises, the relation and role of leadership as a potentially central ingredient for change in the construction industry remains largely unexplored.
The purpose of this PhD-project is therefore to conduct in-depth studies of the link between individual leadership practices and transformation at the construction industry level. The project will be conducted in collaboration with a broad array of different organizations, including architects, construction companies, client organizations, technical consultants, and start-ups – and zoom in on how the various managers working in these companies can use leadership to catalyze and facilitate the adoption of various promising industry innovations (product and process), such as, for instance, digital tools, circular business models, and industrialized building processes.
The more detailed scope of the project will be defined during the first year of studies. Following this, the research activities will include: conducting interviews, organizing workshops, developing surveys, and conducting in-depth literature studies. The results of these activities are to be presented in a number of scientific articles (later included in a final PhD-thesis). The PhD student is also expected to ongoingly communicate results from the project to industry as well as to the scientific community at various international conferences. The PhD also includes a number of PhD-courses.
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.
More information about the department and the division can be found at TME’s web page.
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. For this position, interaction and communication with the various actors in the Swedish construction industry will be an important part of the work. 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 final PhD-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.
Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master’s level degree in a relevant field of study, including (but not restricted to) industrial engineering and management, innovation management, strategic management, leadership studies, business administration, comprising of at least four years of study (240 ECTS credits), whereof at least 60 ECTS credits at advanced (Master’s) level (or equivalent). By the start of the enrolment in the PhD program, the candidate must also have completed a degree project (thesis) at advanced (Master’s) level, representing at least one term of study (30 ECTS credits).
Strong communication skills, written and spoken, in both English and Swedish is a mandatory requirement.
Meritorious qualifications:
– An educational profile that combines engineering/science and social science, e.g. innovation or business administration, is a valuable (but not required) qualification.
– You are expected to be able to independently build and maintain relations with companies in the industry, therefore are strong interpersonal/social skills highly valued.
– Large emphasis when selecting a candidate will be put on the ability to analyze and write academic texts.
Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.
We offerChalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.
Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20220153 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 why you are applying for this position and why you are well-suited for PhD-studies
Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates.
Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).
Application deadline: 9 May 2022.
For questions, please contact:
Associate Professor Martin Löwstedt, intended supervisor, Technology Management and Economics
Email: martin.lowstedt@chalmers.se
Associate professor Ingrid Johansson Mignon, Unit Manager, Technology Management and Economics
Email: 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!