Postdoctoral Researchers, Department of Digitalisation

Division               Learning in the Platform Economy (LeaP) Research Programme

Location              Howitzvej 60, Frederiksberg 2000, Copenhagen, Denmark

Contract type      Fixed term for 2 years

The roles

We are seeking two outstanding Postdoctoral Researchers to work with Professor Anoush Margaryan at Copenhagen Business School’s Department of Digitalization on a research programme investigating workplace learning and skill development practices in emergent forms of online and AI-mediated work.

The research programme is titled ‘Learning practices in the platform economy’ (LeaP). It has been funded by the Volkswagen Foundation, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Candys Foundation, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Education (Cedefop) and is led by Professor Margaryan.

LeaP is an interdisciplinary, international and cross-sectoral research programme focused on advancing the theory, methodology and policy of learning practices in the platform economy. The scope of LeaP programme includes both workplace learning practices as well as learning practices in educational settings aimed at preparing people to function effectively within the workplace. LeaP pursues a dual aim of (i) advancing the understanding of fundamental processes and practices of workplace learning and skill development within new and emergent forms of work in platform and AI-mediated settings; and (ii) developing applications, toolkits and design guidelines to inform and guide policy and practice of workplace learning in the platform economy. LeaP seeks to develop impactful research outcomes that contribute tangible theoretical and methodological advances as well as helping organisations, practitioners, policymakers and other societal stakeholders nationally and internationally to design more effective and productive workplace and work-related learning environments that can empower individuals to take control of their own learning and development, fostering economic performance, capabilities, skills and well-being in our societies.

LeaP leads research around three interrelated themes: (i) Workplace learning practices in new and emergent forms of digital work; (ii) Artificial Intelligence, skills and work; and (iii) Aligning higher education and emergent work practices.

Postdoctoral Researcher 1 will broadly focus on the analysis of workplace learning and skill development practices and processes in online labour platforms (LeaP theme 1) while the second post will examine the nature, practices and processes of skill formation and development in AI-mediated workplaces (LeaP theme 2). Whilst each post will focus on their own theme, both posts will be expected to contribute to LeaP theme 3, by developing ideas on how the outputs from their research could inform learning and teaching practices in education to ensure that students are well-prepared for the future of work.

The Postdoctoral Researchers will be expected to engage in independent research within the remit of the LeaP research programme. They will be expected to publish research of international excellence in peer-reviewed journals (such as those included in FT50 and AJG 3-4* ranking lists and discipline-specific high impact journals). The Postdoctoral Researchers will be expected to fully engage and participate in the academic life of the research group and the University.

Both positions are 100% research-focused and do not include teaching duties.

Candidate profile

The successful candidates will hold a PhD (or be very near defending/submitting their PhD) in learning sciences, adult and workplace learning, education/training, sociology of education, work/educational psychology, human resource development or other fields that study learning processes and/or learning practices of adult professionals. It is essential that the candidates have prior experience of research on workplace/adult learning and skill development in the workplace, preferably in digitally mediated, knowledge-intensive domains. Experience of research on learning practices in online labour platforms and AI-mediated work settings would be a plus. The successful candidates will demonstrate proven ability to write academic texts in English suitable for publication in high impact journals. They will have advanced skills in analysing quantitative data (knowledge of R or Stata would be a plus), solid experience of analysing qualitative data (with Nvivo or similar) and proven experience of collecting quantitative and qualitative data such as surveys, interviews, web data. They will be self-regulated and organised, proactive, attentive to detail, and possess effective interpersonal skills.

Main responsibilities:

• Collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data, including analysing existing survey and questionnaire datasets recently collected within the research programme
• Undertaking literature search and reviews and other desk research
• Contributing to and leading journal publications co-authored with other members of LeaP
• Contributing to and leading other types of research dissemination activities such as conference presentations, blogs and project reports
• Engaging with and regularly presenting the progress of their research within internal seminars
• Developing ideas for follow-up research grants and collaborating with Professor Margaryan and other members of the group on grant writing
• Contributing to research programme administration; assisting in grant reporting; maintaining LeaP website and blog; and supporting other members of the group as required
• Helping to develop work plans and monitor progress highlighting issues and risks in a timely manner
• Facilitating day-to-day communication and collaboration between the members of the research programme and the internal and external collaborators
• Representing LeaP at internal and external meetings, seminar and events and presenting papers and talks at conferences, public events and internal and external stakeholder meetings
• Managing own research and administrative activities in line with agreed deliverables and timeline

Selection criteria

Essential criteria:

Desirable criteria:

How to apply

Applications should include the following documents:

Please email your applications as one single PDF file attachment, putting “LeaP Postdoc application” as the subject line to Anoush Margaryan ([email protected] ) by 15 November 2021.

About Copenhagen Business School

Copenhagen Business School (CBS) was established in 1917. Today, with 20,000 students and 1,500 employees, CBS is one of the largest business schools in Europe and one of the 8 Danish universities. Copenhagen Business School offers an international environment that values innovation, experiments and originality. We support the development opportunities of the individual employee by establishing a learning environment that promotes knowledge sharing locally and globally, job enlargement and cooperative ways of working. We offer a culture that promotes venture spirit and experimentation as well as a performance-based bonus system for employees at all levels. We facilitate internationalcollaboration by providing support for incoming employees as well as research stays abroad.

Favourable tax conditions are offered to foreign faculty (assistant professor and up) for a 7-year period and all employees are guaranteed equal and free access to the Danish healthcare system and social security. We value each other's differences and offer equal opportunities for all employees in an internationally oriented working environment, which is diverse and characterised by interdisciplinary collaboration both internally, regionally and globally.

CBS encourages balance between work and private life. The employees’ needs for flexibility are considered and balanced in view of the execution of tasks. CBS offers especially attractive conditions for families, by for instance offering pregnancy/maternity/parental leave with salary and time off to care for family. For more information about CBS visit https://www.cbs.dk/en/about-cbs/jobs-cbs and https://www.cbs.dk/en/about-cbs/jobs-cbs/coming-to-denmark

The Department of Digitalisation

The Department of Digitalization (DIGI) focuses on how digital technologies are changing business and society. We focus on teaching and conducting research within the field of Digital Transformation of Business and the Economy. We strive for a high level of collaboration with representatives from industry and society (engaged scholarship), while also organising our research to accommodate for the fast-moving pace and radical innovation that characterises the research field.

The Department of Digitalization was formed in 2011, by merging the Department of Informatics and the Centre for Applied ICT. Previously, we focused more on developing IT and improving the efficiency of organisational processes by means of IT. In 2017, we changed our name to the Department of Digitalization (DIGI) to become one of the largest of its kind in Europe. Our new name accentuates CBS's commitment to finding technological and business solutions to ensure that digitalization benefits the society. The department seeks to create a context where researchers can realise their potential in a supportive and conducive environment with a set of common values, aspirations and directions. This is achieved by building a work environment, where the best academics thrive, founded on mutual trust and respect. For more information about the Department of Digitalization visit https://www.cbs.dk/en/research/departments-and-centres/department-of-digitalization