ESR #12 - Non-platform-based innovation ecosystem emergence

Project: European Training Network for InduStry Digital Transformation across Innovation Ecosystems – EINST4INE (funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 956745)

Field of Expertise: Business and Management

Faculty / Research Group:  Department of Business Development and Technology (BTECH), Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University

Employment type: Full-time, fixed-term (36 months)

Gross annual salary: Estimated to minimum of 46,476 EUR (345,600 DKK) a month and a pension contribution of around 7,584 EUR (56,400 DKK) additional seniority increase and family allowance based on personal circumstances may apply

Starting date: 1st September 2021

•Full-time, 36-months fixed-term contract based at Aarhus University but may be required to work remotely

•International mobility: various short and long-term travel foreseen, including industry and academic secondments

•Open to any nationality (requires a work permit for Denmark)

•Research activities focusing on non-platform and pre-platform innovation ecosystem emergence

•Enrolment as a PhD candidate

•Opportunities to conduct innovative research activities in collaboration with high level academic and industrial partners

•Competitive remuneration

About the position: 

The PhD position is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action ‟European Training Network for InduStry Digital Transformation across Innovation Ecosystems” (EINST4INE), coordinated by RMIT Europe. EINST4INE project aims to develop new concepts, approaches and methods in the area of digital transformation and brings together a unique group of world-leading experts in the areas of Open Innovation, Industry 4.0, digital transformation and innovation ecosystems. EINST4INE six academic beneficiaries will recruit altogether 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) working in the domain of industrial digital transformation who will meet regularly via a coordinated exchange programme organised across the international network, comprising secondments, visits, training events, workshops, and summer schools. The successful candidate will be based at Aarhus University (Herning, Denmark) and enrolled in a PhD programme in this institution.

PhD Project Description

Title: Non-platform-based innovation ecosystem emergence

Description: This project will explore how technology enabled innovation ecosystems emerge and shape their business models. It will predominantly involve qualitative research.

The project is expected to contribute with a) development a process roadmap of (non-platform base) innovation ecosystem emergence; b) in-depth understanding of different stages of innovation ecosystem emergence and the role of various stakeholders in this process; c) development of generic assessment tool, which allows evaluation of innovation ecosystem maturity.

Research field(s): Innovation management, Strategic management, Organisational theory

Supervisors: EINST4INE research programs involve comprehensive, independent research under the supervision of an expert supervising team. For the current position, these are:

• Prof. Agnieszka Radziwon, main supervisor 

• Prof. Henry Chesbrough

Candidate Profile:

Background:

The ideal candidate should have a background in business, management or engineering and interest in innovation and management of technology in the ecosystems, platforms and interorganizational networks. Previous work experience in the industry or academia along with skills in qualitative research methods would be appreciated.

Qualifications:

Candidates should have a master’s degree Business (e.g. Management, Marketing, or Entrepreneurship), Industrial Engineering and Management, Engineering, or a related field. A completed master’s degree is required to apply. However, we may also consider applicants who are in the final stages of their master’s degree while applying, but we will require a completed and awarded degree at the time of starting the employment (the degree must be completed latest during August 2021).

Eligibility and Key Selection Criteria:

To be eligible, you need to be an “Early Stage Researcher”, simultaneously fulfil the following criteria at the time of recruitment:

•Mobility: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc…) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment under the EINST4INE project (i.e. from August 2018).

•Qualification: candidates must hold a degree (120 ECTS) based on a relevant qualifying bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), that formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided.

•Research experience: at the date of recruitment, candidates must be in the first four years of their research career, after the master’s degree was awarded.

•Candidates must be proficient in English (level C1 is expected).

Key Selection Criteria 

1. Experience and affinity with both qualitative and quantitative research methods. 

2. Academic writing skills.

The positions adhere to the European policy of balanced ethnicity, age and gender. Both men and women are encouraged to apply.

Working conditions:

We offer a 36-months full-time work contract, expected to start on 1st September 2021. The position will be based in Herning (Denmark) and international travels are foreseen. The remuneration, in line with the European Commission rules for Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant holders, will consists of a salary augmented by a mobility allowance, resulting in a gross monthly salary estimated to minimum of 3,873 euros (28,800 DKK) and a pension contribution of around 632 euros (4,700 DKK) additional seniority increase and family allowance based on personal circumstances may apply.

Further benefits:

The ESRs will be involved in a Marie Skłodowska-Curie network with excellent opportunities for scientific and personal development. These include:

• Regularly adapted personal career development plans. 

• Funding for short stays at top-class research groups. 

• Regular training events and meetings across Europe.

Application:

Applicants will be selected on their potential for scientific excellence and adaptability to work in a multicultural environment. Recruitment will be a transparent, open and equal process following the guidelines of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. Carefully read the guidelines before applying. NB: the recruitment and interview process for this position is specific to EINST4INE project. Still, applicants should make sure they comply with the recruiting institution conditions.

The application must be submitted online, together with the following supporting documents (in English):

•A detailed Curriculum Vitae (2-pages max); 

•A letter of motivation (1,000 words max);

•A brief, non-binding, research proposal for the ESR project, addressing the state of the art, the objectives, the methodology (3,000 words max);

•A copy of your official academic degree(s) and the corresponding transcripts – both BSc and MSc degrees should be submitted;

•A proof of English proficiency (level C1 required).

The data of the applicant will be collected for the sole purpose of the selection procedure, such as described in Grant Agreement No. 956745 - Horizon 2020 EINST4INE. The candidate may refer to RMIT EU (coordinator) in order to exercise her/his rights under art. 15 – 22 Reg. (EU) 2016/679.