Join us as a PhD researcher exploring how generative AI is reshaping learning, expertise and workplace relationships. Help uncover how people and organizations adapt to the future of work.
Research fields: Anthropology; Sociology
Job types: PhD
Education level: University graduate
Salary indication: €3204—€4051 per month
Location: De Boelelaan 1105, 1081HV, Amsterdam
Job 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.
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.
Requirements
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 looking for exceptional grades in a masters programme, particularly demonstrating strong writing, reading, critical thinking, and presentation skills. 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 to 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.
Conditions of employment
Fixed-term contract: 1 year.
A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:
- a salary of € 3.204,00 (PhD) and maximum € 4.051,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
- an employment contract of initially 1 year. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years.
The successful candidate will join an international research community, starting approximately January 2027. You will develop your doctoral project with supervision at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and collaboration across the EMANAIRE network.
We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:
- A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
- 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
- contribution to commuting expenses
- optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
- a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
Employer
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
KIN Center for Digital Innovation
The KIN Center for Digital Innovation is an internationally recognized research group at the intersection of organization studies, strategy, and technology. KIN researchers study how organizations and industries transform in response to major societal and technological transitions. The center has a strong track record in qualitative and practice-based research and actively collaborates with industry partners on issues at the frontier of organizational and managerial relevance. You will join a dynamic group of researchers working on governance, strategic change, and cross-sector collaboration.
School of Business and Economics
We at the School of Business and Economics (SBE) at VU Amsterdam bring together socially relevant teaching and research in the areas of business administration and economics. We focus on real-life issues that have a huge impact on society, economics and ecology: from robotics to big data, and from job market participation to change management.
Collaboration and cooperation, transparency and social responsibility are four keywords that embody our approach. Students, researchers and staff at SBE share real-world knowledge in order to devise solutions together to global economic and social challenges. In order to make a positive impact on the world, society and the lives of others.
Are you interested in joining SBE? You will work in a stimulating, dynamic and international environment with motivated colleagues dedicated to helping society make informed choices. SBE employs roughly 600 staff, with 7,250 students enrolled in the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes and 1,700 executive students.
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct
We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.
Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.
We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.
Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.
Additional information
Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application.
For your application, we would like to learn something about how you think and what you notice.
In a one page cover letter, please introduce yourself and your interest in the specific position briefly, and then address the following assignment: Drawing on your own experience of generative AI in a workplace, university or other institution, as well as some additional reading, tell us what you think “AI anomie” might mean. Ground your answer in something you have actually experienced or observed. There is no correct answer. We are interested in how you make sense of a specific experience and how you connect to our project’s topic.
In a two page CV, please share relevant experience, including your masters programme and grades.
Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.
Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.
Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.
Working at VU Amsterdam
Working at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam means contributing to a better world. Working beyond the confidence of your own field, working with an open mind and working for the benefit of society. Read more
Deadline: 2026-10-18
Posted: 2026-09-22