(DC2) 1 PhD position in Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) and Asset Tokenization (Paid Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow, offered by “AGORA” project under grant agreement no 101119937)

11 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Nicosia

Research Field

All

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Cyprus

Application Deadline

15 Mar 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Athens)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Reference Number

DC2

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101119937

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The position (PhD Candidate) is part of the MARIE Skłodowska-CURIE ACTIONS Doctoral Networks Industrial Doctorates (MSCA-DN-ID) Project AGORA - trAining younG researchers On shaping Metaverse for business and social vAlue . The recruited researchers will be ‘Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows’. Recruitment involves physical mobility. In addition, the fellows will participate in networking and career events, workshops and is expected to present their work at international conferences.  The fellows will be part of the School of Business in University of Nicosia (UNIC), that conducts research on Artificial Intelligence(AI), Internet of Things(IoT), Blockchain and Metaverse. The fellows must spend half of their time at UNIC and half of their time at a non-academic partner (see details below on secondment).

 

ABOUT THE AGORA PROJECT:

Metaverse is set to revolutionize online and real-world interactions. Europe, aiming to lead in this sector, must address its challenges in line with its values. AGORA Network offers a holistic understanding of the metaverse, blending technical, business and social insights. It prepares early-stage researchers for roles in academia, industry, and policymaking through its unique inter-sectoral network. The initiative will involve 17 'Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows' for both academic and industrial research.

 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Role: PhD Candidate
PhD Title: “Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and asset tokenization”
PhD Description: Digital collectibles have emerged as a distinct class of crypto tokens, enabling users to mint, acquire, trade and own unique pieces of digital art or other artefacts. However, the applications of so-called non-fungible tokens (NFTs) extend beyond art to include proof of ownership of assets held in Metaverses. This project will focus on studying NFT-enabled disruption of new virtual worlds capturing NFT business model innovation including economic and societal implications.This position offers an in-depth exploration into the transformative world of NFTs and the broader concept of asset tokenization, examining how these technologies are reshaping the landscape of digital ownership and value transfer in the context of the Metaverse. The successful candidate will embark on a comprehensive study of the technical, economic, and legal aspects of NFTs, dissecting how they differ from traditional digital assets and their impact on various sectors including art, entertainment, and real estate. The candidate will explore critical questions such as the valuation of digital assets, the regulatory and policy frameworks surrounding NFT transactions, and the implications of blockchain technology in ensuring authenticity and provenance of tokenized assets. The PhD candidate will be expected to employ a multidisciplinary approach, combining insights from fields such as computer science, economics, law, and sociology, to provide a holistic understanding of the NFT ecosystem.

DURATION & PLACEMENT OF THE POSITION:

Supervisory Team:

The supervisory team of this PhD is constituted of 2 academic supervisors; University of Nicosia , University of Adger and INNOV-ACTS LTD . The PhD candidate is set to enroll into the University of Nicosia doctoral program, which will also serve as the awarding entity for the PhD degree.

Duration & Placement:

The PhD position spans a duration of 3 years. The selected PhD Candidate will be seconded for part of the PhD duration in another EU/Associated Country.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with supervisory team to define, develop, and refine the research approach.
• Engage in data collection, including simulation, empirical results and other appropriate methodologies.
• Analyse data and interpret findings to derive conclusions.
• Collaborate with industry partners, especially during the secondment phase, to gain insights and real-world applications of NFTs.
• Actively participate in training, workshops, seminars, and conferences related to the research field.
• Prepare interim and final research reports, highlighting the findings, challenges, and future directions.
• Seek feedback, and continuously refine the research approach based on new insights and findings.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications: 

• An outstanding academic record, including a Master’s degree in a field that would prepare the candidate to engage in this research. 
• Proof of English proficiency. 
• The candidate must not be in possession of a PhD degree at the date of recruitment. 
• Mobility Requirement: Candidates should not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Cyprus for more than 12 months in the 36 months before their recruitment date. 

Optional Qualifications: 

• Previous research experience on Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs), Asset Tokenization or Metaverse topics. 
• Practical experience or knowledge of Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) and/or Asset Tokenization. 
• Background in case study or other empirical research methods. 
• Experience in academic writing. 
• Record of scholarly publications.  

Personal Qualifications: 

• Ability to work independently and accurately. 
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and high-quality output. 
• Excellent organizational, analytic and interpretive skills. 
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English. 
• Self-motivated and able to tackle challenging, complex problems in an individual or team-based setting. 
• Inquisitive and a self-learner. 

 

The University of Nicosia, on its side, is committed to securing good supervision for the successful fellows.

 

WE OFFER:

• The gross salary for the researcher will be 2.800,87 Euros (Gross Salary). The salary includes a living, mobility, and family allowance (if applicable), in accordance with the MSCA regulations of the European Union for Doctoral Researchers. 
• A positive and inclusive company culture that values diversity, teamwork, and employee well-being. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We believe that a diverse workforce leads to creativity, innovation, and better problem-solving. We actively promote diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our organization and are dedicated to creating a supportive and welcoming environment for all employees. 

 

APPLICATION PROCESS:

The application and supporting documentation must be in English and must be submitted by the deadline of 15 March 2024. Please make certain that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience align with the qualifications mentioned above. The application must include:

The following documentation must accompany the application:

• Curriculum vitae (CV).
• A letter of motivation/research statement of 500–1000 words. This should include why you would like to be part of a doctoral network and what you feel you can contribute to this PhD position.
• Copies of bachelor’s and master’s degrees.  If you have not completed the master's degree, you should provide a transcript of courses completed and your estimated date for the master´s degree completion.
• Copy of English language certificate (C2 Level).
• 2 letters of recommendation, along with names and contact information for reference.
• Research proposal (max 2000 words), outlining proposed research topic & objectives, proposed methodology, and timeline (three years).
• (Optional) Publications and other scientific work, if any.

Your privacy is important to us. When you apply for a position with us, be assured that any personal data shared during the application process will be handled in strict accordance with GDPR guidelines, ensuring the confidentiality and security of your information. Please be aware that, as part of our collaborative approach, your application may be shared with other partners within the AGORA consortium for evaluation, consideration and confirmation.

 

For a formal application, please submit your application and all supportive documents through the following form (DC2 Application Form):  https://forms.gle/8h79VQevBVfG9CKJA
 

Application deadline: 15 March 2024

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

CONTACT:

For questions about this position please contact:

• George Giaglis (Professor), e-mail: [email protected]
• Evgenia Kapassa (Research Officer), email: [email protected]

Requirements

Research Field

All

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://agora-mariecurie.eu/open-vacancies/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Nicosia (UNIC)

Country

Cyprus

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://forms.gle/8h79VQevBVfG9CKJA

Contact

City

Nicosia, Cyprus

Website

http://www.unic.ac.cy

Street

46, Makedonitissas Avenue, PO Box 24005

Postal Code

1700

E-Mail

[email protected]
[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED