Doctoral student in Computer Science with a specialisation in sustainable business economy and AI

Sapere Aude—dare to be wise—is our motto. Our students and employees develop knowledge and expertise that enrich both people and the world around them. Our academic environment is characterised by curiosity, courage and perseverance. Gender equality, diversity and a democratic approach form the foundation of our organisation. We are located in an active and scenic region and we promote sustainable development in close collaboration with the wider society.
Karlstad University has a total of approximately 1,400 employees and 19,000 students spread across two inspiring campus environments in Karlstad and Arvika.
More information at: kau.se/en/work-with-us

Description

The Faculty of Health, Science and Technology invites applications for a doctoral studentship in Computer Science at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

As a doctoral student you will contribute to important knowledge for society and be part of the university’s significant investment in research education, for this position in the area of Data Science, including data analytics and data-driven decision making for sustainable business.

The doctoral position locates within the broader research area of data science and AI for sustainable business. In this case, the position focuses on leveraging data and innovative analysis techniques to render business networks more sustainable, specifically advancing business models that focus on circular economies. Developing circular economies requires collaboration across business partners, which can be informed through innovative data analytics and data-driven decision making.
Research can be connected to and conducted in collaboration with Swedish companies that aim to transition to circular business. The project considers principles of circular economies, while considering possibilities of data science and artificial intelligence to enable or facilitate circular solutions across business partners.

Given the focus of advancing sustainable business through leveraging data science, the candidate will be conducting research in collaboration with the interdisciplinary research unit Service Research Center, CTF (www.kau.se/en/ctf). CTF is a world leading research center in value creation through service experiences, including domains such as service design, service innovation, and service management. Service experiences are key to competitive advantage, whether product-enabled (think devices), platform-enabled (think web/app solutions), or human-enabled (think people interactions). As an interdisciplinary research center, we internally combine various knowledge areas to tackle complex challenges, such as guiding firms in the transition to circular business models. CTF has approximately 70 staff members, including about ten professors and 20 doctoral students (more information about CTF here https://www.kau.se/en/ctf/ctf/ctf/about-ctf/service-research-center-ctf). We also work closely together with international researchers and centers, having built a strong research network with universities across the globe. Finally, CTF has a long history of closely collaborating with leading industry players, having extensive experience in setting up, engaging with, and driving successful university-industry partnerships.

This doctoral position represents a unique opportunity to combine data science and business, both from a creative and analytical perspective. Both computer science and CTF are committed to the career development of every Ph.D. candidate.

Duties

As a doctoral student, you will primarily dedicate time to your own studies. The doctoral programme, comprising 240 credits for a Degree of Doctor, is an opportunity to study while being paid a salary in combination with work and provides a stepping stone for a career in academia. The doctoral student is expected to work independently and be prepared to contribute to the activities and development of the subject and the department. Teaching and administrative duties may also be included upon agreement (maximum 20% of full time). Work as a doctoral student allows for great freedom and flexibility in terms of how you structure your day. It takes commitment, discipline and a structured approach in order to successfully complete a doctoral thesis. Experienced supervisors offer guidance and support along the way. To contribute to a positive work environment and further the department’s activities, we expect you to be a present and active part of the day-to-day operations and workplace community.

Qualification requirements

To be eligible for a doctoral studentship, the applicant must meet the general and specific entry requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35).

To meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have been awarded a second-cycle qualification, satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 39).

To meet the specific entry requirements for third-cycle studies in Computer Science, the applicant must have completed a Master’s degree (60 credits) in Computer Science, a Master’s degree (120 credits) in Computer Science or a Master of Science degree in Computer Engineering. A person who, in some other way, in the country or abroad, has acquired equivalent qualifications also meets the specific entry requirements.

Admission and assessment criteria

To be eligible for doctoral studies, the applicant must be considered to have the ability required to benefit from the programme (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 7, Sect. 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.

The assessment will focus on the applicant’s performance in previous studies and the quality of any independent projects completed during these studies. The most important assessment criteria for the selection are scientific skills, language skills, and suitability for research in data science for sustainable business.

Special weight will be given to the quality and relevance of the PhD project proposal, which should include the theoretical problem, methodological considerations and theoretical contributions, linking data science and circular business. Assessment considers the quality and relevance of the methodological and theoretical choices, as well as the consistency and coherence between the problem and the choice of method and theory. Assessment further considers rigour and feasibility of the research proposal. Finally, the applicant’s ability to complete the PhD project proposal will be assessed, as well as the relevance of the PhD project proposal to the PhD program and research agenda at CTF. We emphasize documented knowledge about data science (or data analytics through various techniques), as well as a keen interest in circular economies.

Applicants must have a good command of English, especially in writing, since the doctoral thesis and publications that will be produced as part of the research projects will be written in English. A good command of the Swedish language is an advantage (but not a necessity), since data collection might include aspects conducted in Swedish. Experience of prior research work of relevance to the position and broader research environment is an advantage.

Considerable weight will also be given to personal qualities such as the ability to cooperate, sound judgement, taking responsibility, commitment and a positive attitude towards colleagues and students, and the intention to be a present and active part of the research environment.

Terms

Upon admission to doctoral studies, the person will be offered the appointment of doctoral student (Higher Education Ordinance, Chap. 5, Sect. 3). The position comprises four years of full-time studies, or five years at a study rate of 80% with 20% teaching or other departmental duties. The position is fixed-term — one year initially, followed by possible extensions by a maximum of two years at a time. Start date by agreement.

The salary for the doctoral studentship corresponds to the standard level of salary for doctoral students and progresses in accordance with a local collective agreement.

Further information

Karlstad University places great value on the enriching presence of diverse backgrounds and gender balance in the organisation. We welcome applicants with different cultural backgrounds, gender identities, functional abilities, and life experiences.

Application

Submit the application via the University’s web-based recruitment tool, Varbi.

Applicants are responsible for submitting a complete application in accordance with the advertisement, for providing translations of any documents written in a language other than Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or English, and for ensuring that the documentation allows for objective and qualitative assessments. A complete application should be submitted by the application deadline. An incomplete application may jeopardise a fair assessment of qualifications.

The application should include:

– a cover letter where the applicant describes her or himself, details the reasons behind their interest and the qualifications for the position,
– a research proposal linked to a key area outlined in this call linking data science and circular business (to be no more than 5 pages double-spaced, font size 12, excluding references; the research proposal needs to be written in English language)
– a list of qualifications (CV),
– degree certificate with a complete transcript of the courses included, or a certified list of completed courses with grades and dates,
– copy of Master’s thesis or equivalent,
– where applicable, copies of publications or certificates for other qualifications,
– any letters of recommendation

Attach all the documents and publications you wish to be considered to the electronic application (do not just provide links). Name each uploaded document to clearly indicate its content.

Documents that cannot be submitted electronically should be sent to the following address:

Karlstads universitet
Hanna Ljungdahl
651 88 KARLSTAD

Application deadline: 24-04-15

State the reference number: REK 2024/58.

Applicants with qualifications from abroad

If you have qualifications from a university outside Sweden or if they have not been recognised by a Swedish authority before, it is important that you attach degree certificates and official transcripts to facilitate the recognition of foreign qualifications.
Provide a contact for the degree-awarding institution (phone number or email) who can verify your qualifications.

We look forward to your application!

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