Research Associate/PhD Candidate in the Field of Generativity Gap (m/f/d)
Universität St. Gallen
St.Gallen
Key information
- Publication date:13 January 2026
- Workload:100%
- Place of work:St.Gallen
Job summary
The Institute of Information Systems and Digital Business (IWI-HSG) has over 30 years of applied research at the intersection of business and IT. Join a dynamic environment focused on innovative solutions and collaboration.
Tasks
- Analyze factors influencing the Generativity Gap in organizations.
- Conduct controlled experiments to measure creativity and engagement.
- Develop intervention prototypes in collaboration with industry partners.
Skills
- Master’s degree in relevant fields like Data Science or Business.
- Strong communication skills in German and English.
- Experience with experimental research methods.
Is this helpful?
The Institute of Information Systems and Digital Business (IWI-HSG) has been conducting application- and design-oriented research at the interface of business and information technology for over 30 years. Within the institute, Prof. Ingrid Bauer-Hänsel and her team research how organizations can design, build, and manage complex information systems – often across company boundaries. The research focus is particularly on human–(Gen)AI collaboration, data management and data ecosystems, as well as blockchain and distributed ledger technologies.
Your Tasks
Across industries, organizations are currently introducing generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) at a high speed to enhance the performance of their employees. Unlike traditional AI systems, GenAI can generate new content, ideas, and solutions and accelerate knowledge work. However, current research shows that not all employees benefit equally from GenAI: while some achieve significant performance gains, others experience stagnation or even performance losses. This growing competence and performance gap – the so-called "Generativity Gap" – is the focus of this dissertation project.
In the team of Prof. Dr. Ingrid Bauer-Hänsel, you will actively contribute to understanding and shaping this development in knowledge-intensive industries such as consulting, business analytics, and software engineering. You will not only analyze which tasks and employees are particularly affected but also develop, test, and refine concrete intervention solutions together with practice partners. The goal of the project is to ensure that the introduction of GenAI increases the collective performance of the workforce without reinforcing existing inequalities. Your research combines theory-driven analysis, empirical research, and design-oriented research (Design Science Research). You contribute to the further development of the research stream on effective human–(Gen)AI collaboration, hybrid intelligence, as well as value creation and destruction through GenAI and translate scientific findings directly into practical solutions for organizations.
Your Tasks
- Investigation of individual and organizational mechanisms influencing the Generativity Gap (e.g., prompting competence, overreliance on AI, motivational factors) using qualitative and quantitative methods
- Design and conduct controlled experiments and field studies to measure work performance, creativity, and engagement
- Prototyping and evaluation of interventions (e.g., training concepts, collaboration designs, incentive mechanisms) in cooperation with corporate partners
- Interdisciplinary collaboration to further develop research on hybrid intelligence as well as value creation and destruction through GenAI
We Offer
- A structured and plannable doctoral program (approx. 3.5 years) with intensive supervision and attractive compensation at private sector level
- Integration into an international research network as well as active support for publications in leading journals and presentation of your research at international top conferences
- Close collaboration with practice partners
- Participation in a young, committed research team and an inspiring working environment at one of Europe’s leading business universities
Your Profile
We Expect
- A master’s degree (at least grade 5.0 in the Swiss system; equivalent to 2.0 in Germany/Austria) in business informatics, industrial engineering, data science, psychology, business administration, or a related field
- Creativity and design orientation: enthusiasm for translating scientific findings into concrete intervention solutions that promote inclusive competence development and address the Generativity Gap
- Technical curiosity and willingness to learn, including motivation to independently learn and apply new methods and tools (e.g., GenAI frameworks, experimental designs, prototyping environments)
- Excellent communication skills in German and English (mandatory)
- Initial experience with experimental and design-oriented research methods (e.g., Design Science Research, experiments, prototyping, field experiments), as well as own (professional) experience in the industries under study, is an advantage.
"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.
