Research Associate – Doctoral Candidate in the Field of "Future of Learning & Agentic AI" (m/f/d)
Universität St. Gallen
St.Gallen
Key information
- Publication date:20 November 2025
- Workload:100%
- Place of work:St.Gallen
The Institute for Information Systems and Digital Business (IWI-HSG) has been conducting application- and design-oriented research at the interface between business and IT for more than 30 years. Within the institute, Dr. Mahei Li's team investigates how enterprise software, AI, and digital platforms can be strategically designed, managed, and transformed to strengthen the value creation of organizations and digital sovereignty.
Your Tasks
What does learning look like in a world where Generative and Agentic AI become everyday companions for learners and educators? At the chair of Prof. Dr. Jan Marco Leimeister, you actively shape the future of learning: You not only research how AI changes learning – you build, test, and improve concrete solutions that redefine learning spaces, curricula, and competency development.
The goal is to develop design principles for AI-supported learning systems with innovative prototypes, scenarios, and empirical studies. Your research focus combines theory, practice, and design-oriented research (Design Science): You translate scientific findings directly into tangible, effective solutions.
Your tasks
- Designing and prototyping AI-supported learning and work systems (e.g., agentic learning co-pilots, adaptive learning paths, AI-based feedback systems)
- Conducting design and evaluation cycles (laboratory and field studies) on the impact of Agentic AI in learning and knowledge work
- Deriving and validating design principles for trustworthy, effective, and sustainable AI learning systems
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Co-designing innovative teaching and learning formats in higher education and continuing education contexts
We offer
- Time-plannable doctoral studies (approx. 3.5 years) with intensive supervision and private-sector salary
- Access to an international network of scientists
- Opportunity to participate in international conferences
- Working in a young, innovative team in an inspiring work environment
Your Profile
Your profile
- Master's degree with a grade point average of at least 5.0 (equivalent to 2.0 in Germany and Austria) in Business Administration / Business Informatics / Industrial Engineering / Data Science / or similar
- Creativity and willingness to design: Enjoy transforming concepts into functional solutions
- Technical curiosity and ability to independently learn and apply new methods and tools (e.g., NLP, Agentic AI frameworks, prototypical development environments)
- Knowledge of empirical and design-oriented research methods (e.g., Design Science Research, prototyping, field experiments)
- Very good communication skills in German and English
"A place that creates knowledge" - As one of Europe's leading business universities, the University of St.Gallen (HSG) is committed to educating over 10,000 students and offers an attractive and innovative environment in research, teaching, continuing education, and administration to around 3,500 employees as one of the largest employers in the region."
