FacultyFaculty of Economics and Business InstitutionUniversity of Amsterdam (UvA) Vacancy Number15068 Application Deadline15 June 2026 Salary€3,059 – €3,881 gross per month PhD PositionWill your research enable responsible AI adoption for SMEs?Are you interested in implementing and evaluating AI systems that generate productivity gains while remaining transparent, accountable, and aligned with organizational autonomy? Small and medium-sized enterprises account for more than 65% of Dutch employment, yet productivity growth has stagnated and digital adoption remains uneven. Artificial Intelligence offers major opportunities for productivity and innovation. However, AI only creates value when it is rigorously evaluated, responsibly implemented, and auditable in practice. About the ProjectThis PhD project focuses on measurable AI-driven impact in SMEs. The aim is to contribute to the design, implementation, and evaluation of AI systems that:
A central innovation of the project is the development and validation of an agentic AI-based survey instrument enabling scalable, high-resolution data collection across up to 10,000 SMEs. The project combines:
The research is embedded in the national AI adoption initiative: https://www.ai-injebedrijf.nl/ and connected to broader Dutch and European digital autonomy programmes. Close Link with Existing ProjectsThe PhD researcher will work with data from challenge-based learning projects. The faculty is rapidly expanding this approach:
In these projects, students design prototype analytics and AI solutions, creating valuable data on AI adoption and digital autonomy. Additionally, UvA Economics and Business is a core partner of the “AI in je bedrijf” project, where students design prototype solutions for SMEs. The pilot project launched with:
A scale-up plan aims to support 10,000 SMEs in the Netherlands over the next 5 years. Main Duties and ResponsibilitiesYou will spend:
Responsibilities
Candidate ProfileThis interdisciplinary project combines:
Candidates are expected to have strength in at least one of these areas and interest in the others. We Are Looking For Someone Who
Additional AdvantageExperience with:
Formal RequirementsA Master’s degree in one of the following fields (or related disciplines), completed by September 2026:
What We Offer
Additional Benefits
About the University of AmsterdamThe University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the largest university in the Netherlands, with:
The university is known for its strong international orientation and culture of curiosity. About UvA Economics and BusinessUvA Economics and Business (EB) covers fields such as:
The Amsterdam Business School (ABS) holds the prestigious triple-crown accreditation:
awarded to only 1% of business schools worldwide. About the DepartmentThe Department of Business Analytics focuses on research in:
Research outputs are published in leading journals such as:
The department is connected to initiatives including:
PhD Supervision TeamThe successful candidate will be supervised by:
Application InformationApplications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Required DocumentsPlease submit:
Applications submitted after the deadline, incomplete applications, or applications not submitted through the official link cannot be considered. In case of equal suitability, internal candidates will be given priority. Contact InformationDr. Inez ZwetslootE-mail: [email protected] Diversity, Equity & InclusionThe University of Amsterdam maintains an equal opportunities policy and is committed to diversity and inclusion. The university encourages applications from women and underrepresented groups, even if applicants do not yet meet every preferred qualification.
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