PhD in Entrepreneurship and AI

At the Entrepreneurship and Innovation section of the Amsterdam Business School (University of Amsterdam), we invite applications for a fully-funded PhD position in Entrepreneurship and AI. This project will explore the interplay between AI and entrepreneurship, focusing on how AI (e.g., AI system and agents) act as an enabler, competitor, and co-creator in entrepreneurial processes. Its core focus will be on entrepreneurship scholarship and the application of AI (and not on data science aspects).

Are you ready to shape the future of entrepreneurship in the AI era?
The rise of advanced AI technologies is revolutionizing entrepreneurship and innovation. AI is no longer just a tool—it is becoming an entrepreneurial agent, transforming business creation, opportunity recognition, and decision-making. However, while AI opens unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurs, it also disrupts established business models, reshapes industries, and challenges traditional economic, behavioral, and cognitive paradigms. You will be working as PhD candidate for 38 hours per week.

This is what you will be doing
Tasks and responsibilities:

• co-plan and conduct research (including the design of the studies, and the collection and analysis of empirical data);
• write up findings for publication in academic journals and present research findings at leading international conferences;
• attend classes and seminars (including those offered at other universities) to further develop thinking and research skills;
• assist in relevant teaching and knowledge dissemination activities;
• expected output is at least 4 manuscripts ready for submission to or already published in academic journals (adequate collegial support and mentorship will be provided).

Why this PhD?

• Cutting-edge research: The AI revolution presents some of the most pressing and exciting questions in entrepreneurship research (Obschonka et al., 2024; Obschonka & Audretsch, 2020, see also Lévesque et al, 2021) such as:
  
  • How does AI influence opportunity discovery and evaluation, risk-taking, and decision-making in startups?
  • Can AI systems and agents exhibit entrepreneurial cognition, motivation, and behavior, and how do they interact with human entrepreneurs?
  • How do entrepreneurial AI systems and agents collaborate?
  • What role do cognitive and social factors play in AI-driven entrepreneurial ecosystems?
  • How can we harness AI for more inclusive and sustainable innovation?
• Interdisciplinary approach: Entrepreneurship research is evolving, and so is its methodological toolkit. This PhD will combine insights from entrepreneurship other fields (e.g., management, AI, psychology, or data science), using quantitative and potentially experimental methods to explore the changing entrepreneurial landscape.
• Publication-driven research: You will work on high-impact research projects with the goal of publishing in top-tier academic journals.
• During your PhD, you will receive training in entrepreneurship research, AI, and quantitative methods, and engage with entrepreneurial ecosystems in academia and practice

Background literature

• Obschonka, M., Grégoire, D. A., Nikolaev, B., Ooms, F., Lévesque, M., Pollack, J. M., & Behrend, T. S. (2024). Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship: A Call for Research to Prospect and Establish the Scholarly AI Frontiers. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice.
• Lévesque, M., Obschonka, M., & Nambisan, S. (2022). Pursuing impactful entrepreneurship research using artificial intelligence. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 46(4), 803-832.
• Obschonka, M., & Audretsch, D. B. (2020). Artificial intelligence and big data in entrepreneurship: a new era has begun. Small Business Economics, 55, 529-539.

This is what we ask of you

• Master’s degree in business administration/management, computer science, psychology, econometrics, economic sociology, or a related discipline (expected to finish by September 2025);
• background in conducting quantitative research and an interest in AI as technology in practice and research;
• openness to interdisciplinary approaches;
• excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written;
• good teamwork skills and collegiality;

This is what we offer you

• a setup in which your initiative and input are strongly valued;
• PhD training and courses in entrepreneurship, AI, and quantitative methods as well as academic writing;
• mentorship by senior scholars in the field;
• an enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues;
• collaboration opportunities in vibrant research labs;an inspiring academic and international work environment at the center of the Amsterdam Innovation Ecosystem and the AI Hub.

What else we offer:
We offer an employment contract for 38 hours a week with an initial period of 18 months, and after an intermediate evaluation after 18 months there is the possibility to extend it for 30 months (in total the contract will be for four years, fully funded), preferably starting June 1st, 2025 (later possible such as Sept 1 2025). The end-result should be a PhD thesis. An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) conferences. Read here more information on the PhD process at UvA. The gross monthly salary will range between €2,901,- in the first year to €3.707,- in the last year for full-time employment (38 hours per week), excluding holiday allowance (8%) and year-end bonus (8.3%). The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities is applicable.

In addition, the UvA offers excellent study and development opportunities and encourages employees to continue to professionalize;

The compensation package is competitive at the European level and includes several secondary benefits. Favorable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants. To know more about working at the University of Amsterdam, please check uva.nl/working-at-eb.

The UvA has an extensive package of fringe benefits, including:

• 29 days' holiday with full employment & extra holidays between Christmas and the New Year;
• excellent work (from home) facilities;
• reimbursement of commuting expenses;
• pension accrual with ABP;
• in addition, the UvA offers excellent study and development opportunities and encourages employees to continue their professional development;
• you may participate in the open UvA lectures with which you can earn up to 30 credits per year.

You'll be working in this team, department or institute
The PhD position is with Prof. dr. Martin Obschonka. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation section has over 22 employees who do research and teach mainly in Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management, Applied Psychology, Creativity, Management Science, Machine Learning, and Scientometrics. The members of the department have published their research in top-tier academic journals, such as Academy of Management Journal, Research Policy, Management Science, Administrative Science Quarterly, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Business Venturing, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Organization Science, Strategic Management Journal, and Journal of Management Studies.

Members of the department are also involved in teaching in undergraduate- and master-level programs in the entrepreneurship and innovation space, and uphold strong relationships with industry and business.

Find more information about Economics and Business on uva.nl/eb.
Find more information about the Amsterdam Business School on abs.uva.nl.
Find more information about the Amsterdam School of Economics on ase.uva.nl.

To know more about working at the University of Amsterdam, please check this link and uva.nl/working-at-eb

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 30 April 2025. You may apply online by using the red button above.

Applications in one pdf should include:

• a curriculum vitae;
• a letter of motivation including a description of the candidate’s primary research interests and ambitions;
• a list of at least two references, including their names, positions, and contact details (reference letters will only be requested for shortlisted candidates)
• shortlisted candidates will be invited for a job interview and may be asked to present their (thesis) research work and to provide two reference letters.

The first round of interviews will take place during the spring of 2025. (A second round may follow: date tba). If you have any questions about the position, please get in touch during office hours:

• Prof. dr. Martin Obschonkam, Professor
• Email: m.obschonka@uva.nl

38 hours per week

Roetersstraat 11