PhD student in Computer and Systems Sciences, with focus on AI-enabled Digital Transformation in the Public Sector

The Department of Computer and Systems Sciences. With over 200 employees and 4,500 students, the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV) is a strong and dynamic research and educational environment. The discipline of computer and systems sciences bridges the gap between technology and the humanities, social sciences, and behavioral sciences, with great relevance to our lives today and in the future. Our research addresses how new information and communication technology should be designed to benefit people, organizations and entire societies.

DSV offers a stimulating research community in an international environment. As a doctoral student at DSV, you study together with many other doctoral students, collaborate with senior research colleagues and get connected to other researchers in Sweden and abroad. DSV’s location is Stockholm University's campus in Kista, north of central Stockholm.

More information about us, please visit: the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences.

Project description

Artificial intelligence is transforming how governments deliver public services, make decisions, and create public value. As public organizations increasingly invest in emerging technologies, many are managing growing portfolios of AI initiatives. However, these efforts are not always guided by an overarching view on organization’s capabilities and management of enterprise architecture. Consequently, organizations may find it difficult to understand how individual AI initiatives contribute to strategic objectives, capability development, and the creation of public value. You will investigate how these organizations can become AI-ready by developing the governance mechanisms, organizational capabilities, and socio-technical foundations needed to introduce and scale AI responsibly. Possible specific research directions include organizational readiness, AI governance, workforce transformation, capability management, institutional change, data governance, organizational learning, public value, and responsible innovation.

The research combines organizational theory with empirical studies of AI implementation across government organizations. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with researchers in Information Systems, particularly in digital transformation, as well as with public-sector organizations, to develop new knowledge—combining theoretical advances with practical guidance—that supports trustworthy, transparent, and sustainable AI-enabled transformation. The exact research agenda will be developed jointly between you and your supervisors.

The project is part of a vibrant academic community with a strong international network, offering opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, seminars, and scientific exchange within both academia and industry. In addition to a competitive salary and wellness benefits, the candidate is offered strong support for academic development, including funding for books, conference travel, and professional growth opportunities.

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific entry requirements are described in the general syllabus for doctoral studies in the field of Computer and Systems Sciences and state that the applicant must have completed courses at second-cycle level in Computer and Systems Sciences with a minimum of 60 higher education credits or equivalent. The applicant must also have completed a degree project (thesis) of at least 15 higher education credits. In addition, the applicant is required to have English language skills equivalent of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Level B2.

Selection

The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity:

• Independence in the analysis and organization of the earlier scientific work
• Problem formulation and rigor in previous scientific work and in the research plan
• Previously shown ability to keep the specified time limits
• Methodological and scientific maturity
• Communication and cooperation skills
• Subject specific knowledge relevant to education.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information, please contact Professor Janis Stirna, [email protected], and Associate Senior Lecturer Gideon Mekonnen Jonathan, [email protected], or Director of PhD studies, Åsa Smedberg, [email protected].

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. We recommend that the application, with associated documents, be written in English.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.