Postdoctoral Researchers - AI and its Impact on Business Efficiency, Skills & Worker Well-Being

Are you curious about how Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) transforms workplaces? Passionate about understanding its impact on business performance, worker well-being, and evolving skill demands? If you have (or are close to completing) a PhD in quantitative sociology, economics, management/organizational development, organizational psychology, data science or related fields—and are eager to explore how organizations and workers adapt to AI—this position may be a great fit for you.

Job Description
The Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA) of Maastricht University’s School of Business and Economics is seeking to appoint two postdoctoral researchers on the project: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work: Evidence from Experimental Field Studies (ai:conomics; see also www.aiconomics.eu). 

In the ai:conomics project (extended project started in November 2024), we study how Generative AI is transforming the workplace and business operations—shaping business efficiency, worker well-being, and skill requirements. We collect rich, novel data in companies, combining task-level information with insights on employee experiences, organizational changes, and the adoption of AI tools. This includes both quantitative performance metrics and qualitative assessments of job identity, stress, and perceived support.

The data collection is ongoing and will be completed in late 2025. The postdoctoral researchers will take the lead in analysing the data, with a focus on identifying patterns of efficiency gains and their implications for workers. The researchers will also contribute to the dissemination of findings to academic, policy, and business audiences.

The postdoctoral researchers will join a dynamic, inter-, and transdisciplinary research team at the intersection of economics, AI, and organizational studies. The project team consists of social scientists, economists, and data scientists from ROA as well as partners from the industry. The postdocs will be supervised by Dr. Marie-Christine Fregin & Prof. Dr. Didier Fouarge/ Prof. Dr. Mark Levels and will work closely with researchers and practitioners from partner organizations, including a large manufacturing firm.

The researcher is expected to contribute to the following:

• Conduct advanced quantitative analyses of unique, task-level and survey-based data on AI adoption, business efficiency and worker performance.
• Contribute to qualitative insider econometric studies (based on interviews on worker experiences).
• Support ongoing data collection, processing, and linkage across data sources.
• Lead the development of high-impact publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Translate research insights into accessible outputs for policymakers and business stakeholders.
• Actively participate in the ROA research community, including internal seminars and collaborative initiatives.

Requirements
Candidates will be judged based on the requirements outlined below. To be considered, please make sure that your application letter demonstrates how you meet these requirements:

• A PhD degree in quantitative sociology, economics, management/organizational development, organizational psychology, data science or related fields. Candidates who are close to defending their PhD are also encouraged to apply.
• Advanced skills in research design and relevant quantitative analysis, as demonstrated in your PhD thesis and journal publications.
• Strong analytical capacity.
• Preferably experience with data collection and working with qualitative data.
• Affinity (and preferably experience) with research on topics around AI and workplace-related changes, including performance/productivity and organizational development as well as well-being. 
• Affinity (and preferably experience) with science communication and knowledge dissemination.
• Affinity with work in an interdisciplinary and international environment as well as with corporate partners.
• Affinity with working in projects that use agile management methods.
• Outstanding organizational, verbal, and written communication, interpersonal skills and a real team player mindset.

What we offer
As a postdoctoral researcher at the School of Business and Economics, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale 10 according to UFO profile Researcher, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €3378,00 and €5331,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 12-14 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 
   

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

The School of Business and Economics
The School of Business and Economics (SBE) is one of Maastricht University’s six faculties. Our mission is to contribute to a better world by addressing societal problems, by co-creating knowledge and developing team players and leaders for the future.

By joining SBE, you will be part of the 1% of business schools worldwide to be Triple Crown accredited (EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA). You will join an inspiring and international environment, where learning and development is priority. 

 
Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Dr. Marie-Christine Fregin at m.fregin@maastrichtuniversity.nl or Sanne Steens at s.steens@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. 

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become one of our new postdoctoral researchers? Apply now, no later than June 16, 2025, for this position.

The interviews preferably take place at the end of June, beginning of July, and the 2nd round take place mid-July.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.