PhD Candidate for the Research Project Investigating Institutional Diversity and Innovation

The Institute of Public Administration at Leiden University is looking for a PhD Candidate for the research project Investigating Institutional Diversityand Innovation: A Cross-National Comparative Analysis of AI Adoption and Implementation.

Do you want to be a dedicated researcher looking to make a significant impact in the realm of public administration and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and shape the future of the public sector through innovative research?

The Institute of Public Administration of Leiden University invites applications for a Ph.D. research position focused on investigating the technical and institutional effects of AI adoption and implementation on administrative decision-making across government tasks, policy domains, and organizational culture.

Governments are increasingly interested in using AI. However, the existing literature in this domain remains largely theoretical and disconnected from the field of public administration and management. There are critical gaps in our understanding of how AI has been initiated, adopted, and implemented in public organizations. This research bridges this gap by employing a comprehensive approach using cross-national comparative analysis of governments’ adoption and implementation of AI.

As a Ph.D. researcher at Leiden University, you will play a pivotal role in generating crucial empirical evidence regarding the drivers and inhibitors of AI implementation in the public sector at the organizational level. You will have the opportunity to utilize mixed-method approaches (e.g., survey/field experiments, qualitative interviews, and field observations) to conduct empirical studies throughout the different themes and components of the project. You will delve into the experiences of individual bureaucrats to gain insight into how AI is perceived, utilized, and challenged by public administrators and managers who directly engage with it. Your work will contribute significantly to enhancing our understanding of the impact of AI in public administration, and how those impacts vary across different national and organizational contexts.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct innovative social science research in collaboration with international scholars, practiontioners, and organizations
• Publish and present scientific articles at international journal and conferences
• Contribute to educational activities
• Write a dissertation
• Engage in collaborations with colleagues across scientific and policy domains.
• take part in relevant disciplinary and/or research methods courses, based on an individual training and supervision plan (approximately 10% of the appointment).contribute to the teaching programs of the Institute of Public Administration (approximately 10% of the appointment), with the opportunity to obtain the Basic Teaching Qualification (BKO).

Selection criteria

• A MSc/MA degree in social science, in public administration, policy sciences, or related disciplines, such as political science, organizational sociology, etc.
• Highly motivated to conduct empirical research and a passion for understanding the implications of innovation, digitalization, and AI in public sector organizations.
• Good academic research and writing skills
• Excellent proficiency in English (oral and written)
• Good organizational and communicative skills
• The capacity to work both indepently as well as collaboratively with the project team
• Quantitative social science research skills and experience a plus

The Faculty and Institute
Science for and about society is the domain of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA). FGGA provides high-quality interdisciplinary education and research on social and governance issues such as terrorism, organization of public administration, climate change and economic crises.

Contemporary issues are approached from an administrative, political, economic, legal and sociological perspective. This interdisciplinary approach gives the faculty's education and research a cross-border character.

The Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) is one of the seven faculties of Leiden University and is based in The Hague.

The FGGA is a young, enterprising, and innovative organization that is growing rapidly. The faculty has three scientific institutes, two centers, 3500 students and 330 staff members.

Within the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs, the Institute of Public Administration is one of the largest and oldest institutes of academic research and teaching in the field of public administration in the Netherlands and is located in The Hague. The institute combines a solid international academic reputation with a central positioning among the international, national, regional, and local governance institutions of The Hague. It employs around 80 people and provides education to 1200 students. The successful candidate will will participate within the research programme Public Governance and Civil Society within the research group Democracy & Bureaucracy.

Terms and conditions
We offer a full-time appointment of initially one year. After a positive evaluation of the progress of the research, teaching evaluations, personal capabilities and compatibility, the appointment will be extended for another three years. Salary range starts from €2.770,- gross per month up to €3.539,- gross per month (pay scale P in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses (8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career program. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. 

Diversity
Diversity and inclusion are core values of Leiden University. Leiden University is committed to becoming an inclusive community which enables all students and staff to feel valued and respected and to develop their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research.

Information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Matthew M. Young (m.m.young@fgga.leidenuniv.nl).

Applications
Please submit online your application no later than 30 November 2023 via the blue button in our application system.
In order to apply for this position, applicants are asked to submit (1) a motivation letter, (2) a CV, (3) list of grades of the master’s degree, (4) a recent writing sample (for instance a research paper, article, or thesis) and (5) The names and contact details of two potential referees (no actual recommendation letters required at this stage).

Enquiries from agencies are not appreciated.