This PhD project focuses on measurable AI driven impact in SMEs. The aim is to be involved in the design, implementation, and evaluation of AI systems that generate productivity gains while remaining transparent, accountable, and aligned with organizational autonomy.

A central innovation 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 large scale econometric impact evaluation with responsible AI system design and governance.

The research is embedded in a national AI adoption initiative (https://www.ai-injebedrijf.nl/) and connected to broader Dutch and European digital autonomy programs, offering exceptional access to real world implementation contexts.

Close link with existing projects

The PhD researcher will work with data from challenge based learning. At the faculty we are expanding this approach rapidly from 30 projects last year, 60 projects this year to about 200 projects each year by 2030. In all these projects our students design prototype type analytics and AI solutions. These offer valuable data on AI adoption and digital autonomy.

In addition the UvA EB is core partner of the project “AI in je bedrijf” in this programs, focussed on SMEs, students design prototype solutions for SMEs. The pilot project in January started with 30 SMEs and 150 UvA students. Currently a scale-up plan in developed to support 10.000 SMEs in the next 5 years in the Netherlands.

Main duties and responsibilities:

You will spend 80%of your time on research and 20% on teaching at the Amsterdam Business School of the University of Amsterdam.

• Participate in existing field interventions to investigate the inhibitors and accelerators for digital technology and AI adoption in SMEs;
• Research the adoption of AI in SMEs through the lens of technology, productivity and digital autonomy;
• Run large scale econometric and statistical analysis to analyse data gathered from 10.000 SMEs in the AI in je bedrijf project;
• Develop an AI solution taxonomy for SMEs that supports responsible adoption, auditing, and knowledge sharing by creating a living repository of AI use cases, best practices, and audit templates;
• Co-create (with a partner software developer) an Agentic AI-based survey methods and comprehensively compare this system to traditional survey techniques in data collection;
• Create open data and software tools for enhancing AI adoption in SMEs;
• Present research findings at international conferences;
• Write up findings for publication in leading international journals;
• Pursue and complete a PhD thesis within the appointed duration of four years;
• Attend classes and seminars (including those offered at other universities) to develop thinking and research skills further;
• Participate in and contribute to departmental research functions (PhD Day, research seminars, and research meetings);
• Assist in knowledge dissemination activities;
• Participate in teaching-related activities (about 1 day a week), including undergraduate tutorials and the supervision of BSc thesis projects.

This is an interdisciplinary project combining technical development (analytics and AI), with business administration (adoption and productivity impact) and information systems (governance and digital autonomy). We recognize that candidates will have a strength in one of these three fields. And require that a candidate is at least interested in the others.

• You thrive at the intersection of AI and real-world impact, translating technical possibilities into practical solutions for SMEs, and enjoy collaborating with diverse teams to bridge gaps between research and implementation;
• You approach research questions with curiosity and rigor, systematically reviewing literature, designing experiments, and analyzing data to uncover generalizable knowledge. You are open to feedback and eager to refine your methods;
• You communicate complex ideas clearly, whether writing for academic journals, presenting at conferences, or engaging with SMEs to co-create tools that support responsible AI adoption;
• You take initiative in dynamic environments, balancing independent research with active participation in field interventions, teaching, and knowledge-sharing activities;
• Experience with programming (e.g., Python, R) and data science methods such as econometric models and natural language processing for analysing large scale data (survey, transcripts, and documentation) is a plus.

Formal requirements:

• Masters’ degree in Statistics, Econometrics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Mathematics, Information Systems, Technical Business Administration or a related field (expected to finish by September 2026).

• A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years).This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis);
• The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and ranges between €3,059 (1st year) to €3,881 (last year), scale P. This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Promovendus is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable;
• Access to a unique large scale SME intervention and dataset;
• Direct involvement in a national AI initiative and collaboration opportunities in an active and vibrant research environment;
• An ambitious research environment focused on AI driven impact and accountable innovation in the center of Amsterdam.

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.