PhD Candidate in Generative and Agentic AI for Next-Gen Products and Organizations (m/w/d)
Your tasks
- Conduct applied research on generative and agentic AI in close collaboration with industry partners, focusing on next-generation products and organizations
- Co-develop and evaluate strategies, business models, and products for generative and agentic AI
- Co-develop and evaluate generative and agentic AI systems in real-world contexts
- Derive rigorous, publishable insights from joint projects with industry partners, ensuring both academic excellence and practical relevance
- Communicate results through high-impact publications, presentations, and regular interaction with executive (C-level) stakeholders
What we offer:
- A unique opportunity to develop both your scientific expertise and your entrepreneurial and management capabilities
- A highly motivated, interdisciplinary team of ambitious researchers in a collaborative and inspiring environment
- Early ownership of projects with close collaboration with leading industry partners (e.g., Bosch), startups, and top-tier universities
- Regular exposure to executive stakeholders (C-level), including opportunities to present your work and drive real-world impact
- Attractive employment conditions, a flexible and modern work environment, and a proven track record of completing a PhD within approximately 3.5 years
Your profile
- Strong interest in technology-driven innovation, entrepreneurship, business models, and strategy
- Academic background in business and/or technology (e.g., management, economics, information systems, computer science, or engineering)
- Experience with data analytics, machine learning, natural language processing, or generative AI
- Prior experience in applied research, startups, consulting, or venture capital is a plus
- Strong conceptual thinking and excellent communication skills, with confidence in presenting research to interdisciplinary audiences
- Master's degree with a GPA of at least 5.0 (equivalent to 2.0 or better in Germany or Austria), meeting the requirements for PhD admission at the University of St. Gallen
- Proficiency in both German and English (written and spoken)
In light of these developments, we are seeking a candidate with a strong ambition to create meaningful impact. Are you interested in understanding how generative and agentic AI reshape organizations and the coordination of work? Are you interested in exploring how these technologies redefine products and services? Are you interested in studying generative and agentic AI systems and their implications for strategy, business models, and the emergence of the agentic enterprise? We are looking for you!
Inspirational Work Environment
Executive Education
Network
Family & Career
Equal Opportunities
Fit and Healthy
Inspirational Work Environment
At the HSG, as Europe's leading business university, we operate in an entrepreneurial environment where you will meet highly qualified, ambitious experts - both regionally and internationally. For example, you benefit from a modern IT infrastructure and, in our library via HSGswisscovery, from nationwide access to the wealth of scientific information available.
Executive Education
We support internal and external executive education opportunities. Our internal executive education programme offers you a practical, dedicated and didactically mature transfer of knowledge in the form of seminars, e-learning, coaching and collegial advice. We support task-specific external training and executive education financially as well as with regard to the time required.
Network
We promote our culture of cross-functional collaboration and create space for forging valuable relationships - also with external partners. Regular exchanges and internal events help to strengthen these relationships and make them long-lasting.
Family & Career
We provide our employees with flexible work time models with a variable number of hours per week. As a family-friendly employer, we offer part-time positions, 16 weeks of maternity leave and a subsidised crèche, as well as support with childcare during the vacations.
Equal Opportunities
The University enables equal opportunities for all employees and students. This applies to degree courses and work, as well as academic careers, university management positions and the reconciliation of studies, work and private commitments. We are committed to this with various measures in the areas of teaching, research, administration and the Presidency.
Fit and Healthy
We help you stay fit and healthy. In addition to our diverse range of sports activities at the university, most of which are free of charge, and campaign weeks for corporate health management, we also offer you fruit in the workplace. In our canteen you will find a wide selection of freshly prepared meals - from vegetarian to fish dishes - at discounted prices.
Further information on working at the HSG can be found here.
For job-related questions
Professor
We are only beginning to understand how AI will change the logic of firms and fundamentally reshape how value is created. For doctoral students, this is a rare moment to contribute original insights.
PhD Candidate & Research Associate
What I value most is the combination of intellectual freedom and strong support. You work on questions that genuinely matter, engage with people far beyond academia, and grow quickly.
Your place of work
University of St.Gallen
«A place where knowledge is created» - As one of Europe's leading universities of economics and business administration, the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, is committed to the education of over 10'000 students. The HSG is one of the largest employers in the region and provides an attractive and innovative environment for more than 3'500 researchers, educators and professional staff.
