PhD Candidate / Research Associate in the Field of Data Governance & Digital Value Creation (m/w/d)

The Institute of Information Systems and Digital Business (IWI-HSG) has been conducting application- and design-oriented research at the interface of business and IT for more than 30 years. Within the institute, the research group of Prof. Dr. Reinhard Jung investigates how organizations and ecosystems can govern and create value from data.
The group works closely with industry partners and develops empirically grounded insights from real-world challenges.

Your tasksThis PhD position bridges data governance, digital value creation, and empirical research, offering a strong foundation for careers in both academia and industry. It offers the opportunity to join our research group in studying how organizations can evaluate the value of data governance and what they risk by neglecting it.Data governance is one of the most pressing yet undervalued challenges in modern organizations. We have repeatedly encountered a clear paradox in practice: organizations recognize that data governance matters, but lack the tools to demonstrate how much, and to justify investing in it accordingly. In the next phase of our research, we are developing and evaluating approaches to make this value measurable, in close collaboration with practice partners. As AI increasingly shapes how organizations collect, use, and govern data, this question becomes more pressing than ever.As part of our team, you will work at the frontier of Information Systems research - close to practice, grounded in rigorous methods, and contributing to questions that matter beyond academia.

Your responsibilities will include:  

• Conducting research on how organizations can evaluate and communicate the value of data governance, including the upside of strong practices and the risks of neglecting them.
• Performing qualitative and quantitative empirical research, in particular expert interviews, case studies, and Design Science Research.
• Developing and evaluating artefacts such as frameworks, assessment tools, or maturity models in collaboration with practice partners.
• Publishing in leading IS conferences and contributing to top-tier journal publications.
• Developing your PhD thesis within one of the project's research streams.
• A high degree of freedom and intensive collaboration in shaping your own research direction.
• Support teaching activities and executive education programs

Your profile

• Master's degree with a grade average of at least 5.0 (equivalent to 2.0 in Germany and Austria) in Information Systems, Business Informatics, Business Administration, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Knowledge of qualitative empirical research methods (e.g., case study research, expert interviews, Design Science Research) and quantitative methods.
• Interest in data governance and data strategy in organizational or ecosystem contexts.
• Willingness to conduct research within and across organizations, including engagement with practice partners.
• Strong analytical and conceptual capabilities, with an independent and proactive working style.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in German and English.
• Initial experience in scientific writing, research projects, or relevant professional practice is welcome.

"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.

Benefits

• 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.