Universität St. Gallen
St.Gallen
8 hours ago
PhD candidate / Research Associate in corporate pivoting (m/w/d)
- 04 February 2026
- 100%
- St.Gallen
About the job
The GCEI is the “Global Think Tank for Entrepreneurship and Innovation” at the University of St.Gallen. Entrepreneurship and innovation are two central driving forces for economic growth and guarantors of sustainable prosperity. Both fields are interrelated: Innovation needs entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship needs innovation.
Please email a single PDF file including your CV, a short motivation letter, a transcript of your Bachelor's and Master's grades, and an exemplary piece of academic writing (your Master's thesis or a term paper) to Dr. Janine Crivelli. In addition, please provide contacts of at least two references.
Review of applications will begin immediately. We are looking forward to your application.
Send your application to: E-Mail schreiben
(Tel. +41 71 224 73 11), gcei.unisg.ch
Your tasks
In your PhD you will conduct research about corporate pivoting (radical strategic changes). The research on corporate pivoting offers a fresh perspective on how established corporations navigate through market volatility and unpredictability. The importance of corporate pivoting is underscored by the rapid technological advancements and market shifts challenging the adaptability and agility of established organizations. This research project seeks to deepen understanding of the strategic processes that enable corporations to pivot effectively, thereby contributing to organizational resilience and competitive advantage.
Your tasks:
- Conduct high-quality research on corporate pivoting
- Proactively acquire organizations and interview partners and manage data collection end-to-end
- Work with a high degree of autonomy, ownership, and responsibility
- Translate empirical findings into working papers and publication-oriented outputs at an early stage
- Contribute to applied research and knowledge transfer projects with corporate partners
- Support the GCEI in workshops, seminars, and research-related events
- Help building a benchmark study on corporate pivoting in the DACH region
Your profile
Your profile:
- Strong intrinsic motivation, high work ethic, and a clear output orientation
- Proven ability to work independently, proactively, and at a fast pace
- Strong interest in conducting rigorous research and publishing in top-tier management journals
- Excellent academic performance in a Master's degree in business administration, business informatics, computer science, or a related field
- Solid understanding of entrepreneurship, innovation, or dynamic capabilities in corporations
- Ability to collect high-quality qualitative or quantitative data efficiently and systematically
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Ambition to complete a PhD in a focused, structured, and time-efficient manner
"A place where knowledge is created" - As one of Europe's leading universities of economics and business administration, the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, is committed to the education of over 10'000 students. The HSG is one of the largest employers in the region and provides an attractive and innovative environment for more than 3'500 researchers, educators and professional staff.
