PhD Fellow in Management: AI-based business model development in established industries

About the position

Are you interested in artificial intelligence, product-service systems, innovation management, and how sustainable industry is transformed?

Do you want to drive groundbreaking research together with leading researchers and industry partners? Are you motivated to pursue a PhD and open up exciting career opportunities?

As a fellow with us, you will work towards completing your PhD while researching alongside skilled colleagues who share your interests. The experience you gain through this PhD position will qualify you for a career both within and outside academia.

The Department of Economics, History and Social Sciences at USN Business School has one vacant PhD position in the PhD program in Management. The candidate will be integrated into and participate in the research activities of the Centre for Research-based Innovation SFI‑CELECT: Industry‑oriented Research Centre for Effective Engineering and Learning in Complex Systems. You will work closely with researchers at NTNU, the University of Agder (UiA), and industrial partners.

You are employed for a period of three years for pure research training. The position is vacant from September 2026, with a latest start date of January 1, 2027. The place of work for the PhD position will be at Campus Vestfold, located in Horten municipality.

We are seeking researchers with a background in innovation and entrepreneurship, technology management, marketing, strategy, business-oriented social and data science, or organizational change.

About the PhD project

AI-based business model innovation in established industries.

This PhD project investigates the strategic importance of artificial intelligence (AI) which is transforming sectors, industries, and individual companies at an increasing pace. The research will examine how AI-based solutions in traditional industries must be coordinated through new forms of ecosystem collaboration, business model innovation, and scalable solutions. The candidate will contribute to understanding how AI can be leveraged to design, implement, and scale innovative business models that meet competitive challenges, greater "dual-use" requirements, and consider circular economy needs.

Possible research themes include:

• Transformation of established companies, from product-system logic to scalable AI-driven digital solutions and other stakeholders.
• Orchestration mechanisms and governance structures for coordinating heterogeneous actors such as technology developers, customers, and regulatory authorities.
• How AI solutions reshape value creation and value capture in complex B2B or B2G (business 2 governance) ecosystems.

This study will therefore increase the understanding of how partner companies can achieve economic, environmental, and social benefits, and promote cross-pollination and interdisciplinary business model innovations across industries and enterprises. By using industry-as-laboratory within SFI CELECT as a primary empirical arena, the project is also linked to other research projects through its focus on the development of business models that enable AI.

The candidate will also be affiliated with the research group Innovasjonsledelse og Markedsdynamikk.

It is expected that during the PhD project you will:

• Complete the PhD program until the doctorate is finished within the employment period
• Participate in national and/or international activities such as conferences
• Communicate knowledge and participate in SFI CELECT's events and arrangements
• Be prepared for changes in your work tasks after employment

Qualifications

This project seeks a candidate with expertise in business models, business development, innovation management, especially within aviation, defense, maritime, and production-related contexts. The ideal candidate brings experience from project management, has participated in public-private partnerships that promote public goals, and understands cross-sectoral principles and collaboration. Experience in interviewing interdisciplinary stakeholders to characterize systems and generate concrete recommendations is essential.

• A Master's degree (normally 120 ECTS credits) in business administration, management, innovation and entrepreneurship, industrial engineering and management, strategy, information systems, economics, social sciences, or related disciplines relevant to the PhD project.

• Applicants with higher education completed outside Norway must provide documentation that the education is approved by the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir). You must submit your application for approval before the application deadline for the position. The approval must be forwarded when available, and it is a requirement for employment.

• Weighted average grade of B or higher on the Master's degree
• The Master's degree must be obtained by the application deadline for the position
• Documented good methodological competence. You must have competence in both quantitative and qualitative methods and at least one documented course in methodology at the Master's level
• Documented skills in English, both written and oral (see 'Requirements for English proficiency')
• Applicants with MSc degrees from institutions outside Europe must document GMAT results of at least 600 points (or equivalent GRE).

NB The applicant must satisfy the requirements for authorization for level BEGRENSET. You can read more about this on the websites of the Nasjonal sikkerhetsmyndighet and Sivil klareringsmyndighet.

NB: It is a requirement that you, at the latest three months after starting the position, meet the formal requirements for admission to USN's PhD programs and USN Business School's PhD program in Management.

Personal qualities

To complete a PhD within the deadline, it is important that you have the right personal qualities. This means you can:

• Demonstrate motivation and potential for research in the field
• Work independently, but also participate in teamwork
• Work in a structured manner, set goals, and create plans to achieve them
• Present and discuss your research with other academics
• Engage and contribute constructively with feedback
• Work constructively under pressure or when facing adversity
• Show curiosity and strong motivation for the subject area
• Analyze data, evaluate different perspectives, and draw well-founded conclusions
• Be flexible and open to adjusting the project plan as needed
• Have the academic skills and personal qualities needed to complete the PhD program within the employment period
• Possess personal skills to participate actively in research group activities

Requirements for English proficiency

This position requires good English skills. International applicants must document this with a valid certificate from one of the following tests. Specific grade requirements can be found on our website regarding English requirements for programs taught in English at USN.

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT)
• IELTS – International Language Testing System
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic

The following applicants are exempt from the requirements mentioned above:

• Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, or USA
• Applicants who have completed a Master's degree with English as the language of instruction in an EU or EEA country
• Applicants who are exempt based on the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir)'s GSU list (Higher education entrance qualification for foreign applicants)

Applicants from Norway can confirm their English skills by submitting transcripts from upper secondary school.

Project description

Applicants must submit a preliminary research project along with the application. The project description should be short and concise, 4–5 pages, and include the following elements:

• Introduction (title, main problem and research questions, as well as the background for the project)
• Theme for planned PhD research and research field
• One or more overarching research questions with justification (in theory, the need for more knowledge in the field, and societal relevance)
• Relevant theory
• A preliminary plan for data collection (research design, method, data, and sampling)
• A preliminary timeline for the PhD project period
• Reference list (maximum 15 references)

When the application is assessed, special emphasis will be placed on:

• Formal qualifications
• The project's scientific quality, research relevance, and degree of innovation
• The project's relevance to the profile of the PhD program
• Personal and professional teamwork skills
• The personal qualities mentioned above

We offer

• CCELECT facilities, industrial network, a shared PhD environment, and access to PhD school's Inrescos.
• Career advice and guidance throughout the PhD program. In collaboration, we develop a career plan that includes the skills and knowledge you will acquire
• An inclusive working environment with ambitious colleagues
• The opportunity to take Norwegian courses
• Salary in accordance with the Norwegian state salary scale for research fellows (position code 1017) NOK 550,800. In special cases, code 1378 may be used. Further advancement occurs based on seniority in the position.
• Statutory contributions to the Norwegian State Pension Fund (Statens pensjonskasse) will be deducted from the salary.
• Membership in the Norwegian public pension fund, which ensures favorable pension, insurance, and loan schemes

Diversity

We believe that diversity is a resource in our work and learning environment. Different experiences and backgrounds contribute to different perspectives and better solutions to challenges to be solved. We are committed to respecting each other's differences and will facilitate employees with disabilities. We take your needs and your situation in different life stages into account.

If you find this position interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, disability, cultural background, or whether you have been outside the workforce for a period. If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, gaps in the CV, or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these groups to an interview. If you recognize yourself in one of these categories, you can check the box in our job application portal.

Get to know us

The University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) is among the country's largest higher education institutions, with around 18,000 students and 1,900 employees.

Video: https://vimeo.com/898549899/60305e2540General information

The Recruitment Body for PhD Fellowships (TUS) is the hiring authority. Your competence for the position will be assessed by an expert committee. The expert committee will assess your competence for the position based on the documentation you have registered in Jobbnorge.

Based on the expert committee's statement, selected applicants will be invited to an interview and a trial lecture. References will also be obtained for selected candidates.

Hiring with us is conducted according to the principles in the State Employees Act. The university's Guidelines for recruitment positions at USN provide further details on the criteria for employment as a PhD fellow.

As an employee with us, you must at all times comply with changes brought about by developments in the field and any organizational changes that are adopted.

How to apply

If you find this position interesting and it matches your qualifications, you can submit an application electronically by clicking "Apply for the position" on this page. Here you must write a short application text and information about your relevant education and work experience. In the application text, you must clearly describe your skills and motivation for the position.

The application must include:

• A short and targeted cover letter (in English or Norwegian) identifying (400 words/1 page total):

• Your motivation for a PhD study
• Your understanding and thoughts on the themes of the position
• Why you consider yourself suitable for the position.

• Certified transcripts for your bachelor's and master's degrees. Diplomas must be in a Scandinavian language or in English.

• Applicants with higher education completed outside Norway must provide documentation that the education is recognized and approved by the Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir). You must submit your application for approval before the application deadline for the position. Attach a receipt (email) or decision when you apply. The approval must be forwarded when available, and it is a requirement for employment.

• An explanation of the grading system for foreign education (diploma supplement if available)
• Your master's thesis. If your master's thesis was a collaborative project, you must provide a short statement describing your involvement
• CV
• Any other relevant certificates and diplomas
• A draft research proposal
• Documentation of your English skills (see "Requirements for English proficiency")
• A list of scientific publications
• Contact information for up to three references

The following documents must be delivered at the latest one week before the interview can take place:

• For applicants from outside the Nordic countries, we require valid documentation of English proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS)
• For applicants with higher education outside Europe, we require valid documentation of GMAT or GRE results

The application will be assessed based on the information available in Jobbnorge at the expiration of the application deadline. Ensure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the competence requirements described in the job advertisement.

When we assess who is best qualified for the position, we emphasize education, experience, and personal qualities.

All documentation must be submitted in a Scandinavian language or English. If the attachments exceed 30 MB in total, they must be compressed before uploading.

Please note that information about you as an applicant may be made public even if you have requested not to be included on the public applicant list (cf. Section 25 of the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act). You will be notified if your request for exemption from public disclosure is denied.

We only assess applications and attachments registered in Jobbnorge. Upon request, you must be able to provide certified copies of your documentation.

Contact information

Information about the position Associate Professor Thomas Brekke thomas.brekke@usn.no +4731009339

For questions about the application process HR Advisor Kari Ann Sommer ksom@usn.no.

About the employer:

USN is the university near you. Here we work together to find solutions. For the local community, the world, and all of us who live here. On our campuses from fjord to mountain, you will work near your home in southeastern Norway. Here you will do meaningful work among a vibrant student life and innovative research environments. You will have a workplace that is close to major societal challenges – and simultaneously close to the solutions for them. Work that we tackle with our very best tools: education and research.

We offer profession-oriented and work-life-oriented education, research, and knowledge dissemination of high international quality. As an employee, you can delve into your own field while having access to a buffet of opportunities for development and learning. Through official channels – and through a network of knowledgeable and generous colleagues who know a lot about many things.

USN is the result of mergers between former colleges. The University College in South-Eastern Norway was formed on January 1, 2016, when the University College in Buskerud and Vestfold merged with the University College in Telemark. The college received university status in 2018. Our Rector is Pia Cecilie Bing-Jonsson.

Read more about what it is like to work at the University of South-Eastern Norway.

USN Business School offers bachelor's and master's degrees in a wide range of subject areas, as well as a PhD in Management. In addition to several one-year studies and many continuing education studies. USN Business School offers economics and management education part-time on campus and online. We have everything from individual subjects at the bachelor's level to one-year studies in management or full master's degrees that can be taken alongside work.