Postdoctoral Level Research Fellow in Foresight, Scenario Planning, and Strategy with an Interest in the Futures of Work

University of Oxford - Said Business School

Location:	Oxford
Salary:	Research Grade 7
Hours:	Full Time
Contract Type:	Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 30th March 2026

Closes: 22nd April 2026

Job Ref: 185733

The Oxford-Hyundai Motor Group Foresight Centre is a major research centre located within the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School. Funded through a generous research sponsorship from Hyundai Motor Group, the Centre is led by Oxford strategy faculty Rafael Ramirez (Director) and Trudi Lang (Co-Director). Focusing on a discrete set of six high-impact themes, the Centre contributes significant new research to the scholarly understanding of how foresight is conducted to inform business strategy, while also producing impactful outputs for practitioners.

Reporting to, and under the direction of, the Centre directors, Rafael Ramirez and Trudi Lang, and working closely with Benn Lawson and other relevant faculty, the post holder will be responsible for independent and joint foresight research related to business strategy. The post holder will jointly undertake research related to two or more high-impact topics being studied by the Centre, and under the direction of the supervisors will be asked to lead on the topic of the Futures of Work, to develop our understanding of how foresight informs strategy.

The Futures of Work topic might include aspects such as:

• The nature and meaning of work, including impacts for family members
• Employee-employer contracts
• Outsourcing or contracting compared with internal employment
• Labour and work assumptions in core business models
• Roles of unions
• Government policies
• Roles of government and other regulators
• Future skills
• Work and human and planet wellbeing

An engaged scholarship approach will be taken to the research, with the post holder involved in rigorous academic and industry collaborations and events. The post holder will also be responsible for the co-production of top scholarly and practitioner orientated outputs.

Responsibilities

The post holder will be responsible for independent and joint research in foresight and business strategy, and expected to undertake the following activities:

• Conduct foresight research on the nominated topic as directed by the Centre directors to the highest standards of academic rigour and integrity
• Lead specific research activities including for joint academic-industry events
• Present research and represent the Centre at academic and practitioner conferences and other events, both internal and external
• Produce scholarly articles, such as reviews and research articles, for leading peer reviewed business and management academic journals
• Adapt scholarly research into impactful practitioner outputs, including practice journal articles and books and reports
• Produce content for website articles, promotional materials, and other Centre publications as requested
• Develop productive relationships with the Centre’s directors, the co-supervisor, other senior faculty, post-doctoral researchers, administrative staff, and the School’s and University’s broader community
• Proactively engage with visiting fellows from the research sponsor and other industry partners
• Contribute as necessary to the writing of research progress reports
• Contribute fully to the life and activities of the Centre, providing supportive guidance and occasional supervision to more junior staff

To view the selection criteria for this role, please open the attached 'Job Description' document below. If you are satisfied that you meet these criteria, use the 'Apply' button above to submit your application. Applications must be submitted before the deadline of Monday 22nd April at 12:00 (midday).

Contact Email: facultyrecruitment@sbs.ox.ac.uk