PhD scholarship in Writing, Learning and Teaching with Generative AI in STEM - DTU Management

<p>Generative AI (GenAI) is changing the ways writing, learning, and education unfold within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). <br/><br/> On one hand, GenAI challenges traditional methods of learning and assessment, such as the take-home assignments or exams, which to a large extent can be delegated to GenAI technologies. On the other, GenAI tools such as chatbots and AI tutors are becoming embedded in everyday educational practices, altering how students read, write and learn, how educators teach, and how institutions assess and value student work. It is further an open question to what extent GenAI transforms STEM disciplines. How are expectations around expertise, critical thinking, creativity, and employability changing? And how do educational institutions navigate the balance between human and machine intelligence in shaping future learning environments?<br/><br/> This project invites theoretically and empirically grounded studies that contribute to understanding how GenAI is reconfiguring the practices, purposes, and values of writing, learning and teaching in STEM. Proposals may engage with one or more of the following themes:</p> <ul> <li>Assessment, Writing, and Academic Integrity: How are AI-assisted writing, coding, and modeling altering notions of originality, authorship, and evaluation? Which new human-machine configurations emerge or become contested in STEM education?</li> <li>Transforming STEM Learning and Pedagogy: How are educators, students, and institutions adapting teaching and learning in response to GenAI? In what ways are chatbots, AI tutors and code-assistants changing problem-solving, experimentation, and disciplinary expertise? </li> <li>Educational Transformation and Institutional Practice: How are universities and faculty redesigning curricula, policies, and support systems to protect against or align education with GenAI? What new literacies and competencies are emerging in response to this changing landscape?</li> </ul> <p><strong>Responsibilities and qualifications</strong><br/> The successful candidate will conduct qualitative and organizational research examining how different stakeholders (students, faculty, managers, policymakers) interpret, adopt, resist, or institutionalize GenAI technologies in STEM in higher education. Experience with ethnographic or related qualitative methods is expected. Familiarity with theories from organization studies, science and technology studies (STS), sociology, education studies or related fields will be an asset. <br/><br/> The PhD will be supervised by Professor Helene Friis Ratner and conducted as part of the Algorithms, Data and Democracy project, founded by the VELUX Foundations. For more information, visit: <a href="http://www.algoritmer.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.algoritmer.org</a>. The candidate will conduct teaching as part of the ph.d. programme.<br/><br/> You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.<br/><br/><strong>Approval and Enrolment</strong> <br/> The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/Education/PhD/Rules" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DTU's rules for the PhD education</a>. <br/><br/><strong>Assessment</strong><br/> The assessment of the applicants will be made by Professor and head of section, Helene Friis Ratner and Professor and head of division, Brit Ross Winthereik.<br/><br/><strong>We offer</strong><br/> DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.<br/><br/><strong>Salary and appointment terms</strong><br/> The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. <br/><br/> The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is 1 May 2026 or according to mutual agreement. The position is a full-time position.<br/><br/> You can read more about <a href="http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">career paths at DTU here</a>.<br/><br/><strong>Further information</strong><i><strong> </strong></i><br/> Further information may be obtained from Helene Friis Ratner, Department of Technology, Management and Economics: <a href="https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/persons/helene-friis-ratner" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/