Doctoral Researcher in Digital Business & Agentic AI

About us

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character.

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) at the University of Luxembourg is a leading international research and innovation centre in secure, reliable and trustworthy ICT systems and services.
We play an instrumental role in Europe by fueling innovation through research partnerships with industry, boosting R&D investments leading to economic growth, and attracting highly qualified talent. We look for researchers from diverse academic backgrounds to contribute to our projects in areas such as: Network Security, Information Assurance, Model-driven Security, Cloud Computing, Cryptography, Satellite Systems, Vehicular Networks, and ICT Services & Applications.

Successful candidates will join the young, vibrant, and interdisciplinary FINATRAX Research Group, which builds bridges between business research and information systems engineering. The group conducts research on the application and the impact of technology on organisations in the private or public sector. Our team consists of international researchers with backgrounds in technology, law, management, economics, and other fields, united by a shared commitment to advancing sustainable technologies that benefit society. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.uni.lu/snt-en/research-groups/finatrax/join-us/

Your role

Successful candidates will pursue a PhD degree in computer science and engineering with a focus on information systems while collaborating with our industry partner. More specifically, successful candidates will participate in a three-year industrial research project, "Agentic AI Platform for Reliable, Governed, and Customer-Centric AI in Regulated Energy Retail," carried out with an industry partner in Luxembourg. The project aims to establish the scientific foundations for reliable, governed, and customer-centric agentic AI in the regulated European energy sector.

In general, the candidate will perform the following tasks:

• Examining governance tensions that arise from the embedding of Agentic AI on an enterprise platform
• Exploring the implications of Agentic AI embedment in an enterprise platform from the perspective of (digital and data) sovereignty
• Examining the dynamics of human-agentic AI collaboration
• Understanding the security and privacy implications of Agentic AI (designs and) adoptions in the organiszational context
• Exploring the topic of customer delegation and engagement, e.g., understanding customers' delegation preferences from interaction patterns

In particular, they join a larger research team focused on Information Systems Research with experts in Digital Sovereignty, Agentic AI, and Energy Informatics and collaborate with team members working on related projects. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to investigate a broad range of research areas and design their own research portfolio. This allows them to align the skills they acquire while pursuing a doctorate with their personal goals and interests.

Your profile

• The candidate should possess a MSc degree or equivalent in Information Systems, Business Administration/Management, Business Informatics, Computer Science, or related fields with a socio-technical background
• The ideal candidate should have interest and some knowledge and/or experience in several of the following topics (ordered by importance):
  • Socio-technical or socio-economic study of technology adoption in organisations
  • Digital sovereignty and/or cybersecurity
  • Human-AI interaction, human-computer interaction and human factors
  • Large language models and LLM-based agents
  • Trustworthy AI, (platform) governance and regulation
  • Experience working with industry and project management experience is desirable
• A collaborative team player with a willingness to conduct interdisciplinary research and a desire to make a personal impact within our research group 
• Operational Language Requirements: Excellent command of English

Academic Eligibility (Thesis):

Applicants must demonstrate at least B2-level proficiency in the language of their thesis. For details and accepted certificates, please visit the Application for admission - Doctoral Candidates.

We offer

• A modern, dynamic university with a personal and inclusive atmosphere. Multilingual and international character. Staff coming from more than 90 countries. Member of The Guild of European Research Intensive Universities
• An exceptional research environment, supported by skilled staff and high-quality equipment. Strong links to professional sectors and the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban campus with excellent infrastructure
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and a wide range of non-academic partners including ministries, local governments, associations, and NGOs

How to apply

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter including:
  • A statement on the candidate's personal motivation for applying (why a doctoral program, why in Luxembourg, minimum 300 words)
  • A statement on the candidate's motivation for applying for this topic (minimum 300 words)
• Transcript of all modules and results from university-level courses taken

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by Email will not be considered.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. In line with our values, the University of Luxembourg promotes an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to upholding equality and respect for our employees and students.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Kirchberg Campus
• Internal Title: Doctoral Researcher
• Job Reference: UOL08491

The yearly gross salary for every Doctoral researcher at the UL is EUR 44531 (full time).