PhD Candidate in Agentic AI, Strategy, and Industrial Transformation (m/w/d)

Your tasksGenerative and agentic AI are reshaping both products and organizations. They enable entirely new products and services and transform how work is organized and coordinated between humans and intelligent systems. To further expand our growing research team in this area, we are looking for a PhD candidate with the ambition to create meaningful impact. If you are interested in how these technologies reshape industrial companies from a strategic perspective, we are looking for you.

What to expect:

• Conduct applied research on generative and agentic AI in close collaboration with industry partners, focusing on next-generation products and organizations
• Co-develop and support the implementation of strategies, business models, products, and processes for generative and agentic AI
• Contribute to the design and evaluation of generative and agentic AI systems, including prototypes and live systems in real-world organizational 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

 Your profileWhat you bring:

• Strong interest in agentic AI, 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, generative AI, or AI agents
• 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) required

What we offer:

• The chance to work on one of the most relevant transformation topics of our time: agentic AI and its impact on strategy, organizations, and business models
• 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

"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.