PhD Opportunity: Doctoral Researcher in AI Co-Creation, Morality & Creative Industries – Hanken School of Economics

PhD Opportunity: Doctoral Researcher in AI Co-Creation, Morality & Creative Industries – Hanken School of Economics

• Institution: Hanken School of Economics

• Department: Management and Organisation

• Project: MSCA Doctoral Network EMANAIRE

• Doctoral Project: DC06 – AI Co-Creation, Morality, and the Inner Good in Creative Industries

• Position: Doctoral Researcher

• Number of Positions: 1

• Appointment: Full-Time Doctoral Scholarship

• Duration: 48 Months / 4 Years

• Location: Helsinki, Finland

• Doctoral Programme: PhD in Management and Organisation

• Expected Start Date: February 1, 2027, or by agreement

• Current Salary: EUR 3,755 per month, approximately INR 4.00 lakh per month

• Application Deadline: October 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM EET

Overview of the Opportunity

Hanken School of Economics invites applications for a four-year doctoral scholarship within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network EMANAIRE.

The doctoral project, “AI Co-Creation, Morality, and the Inner Good in Creative Industries,” examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping creative work, co-creation, ethical questions, and business models across creative industries.

EMANAIRE brings together 15 doctoral candidates across nine European universities to investigate how generative and agentic AI are changing work, leadership, collaboration, learning, and professional decision-making.

Research Focus

The doctoral project asks how the value and purpose of creative work change when people create alongside AI.

Research will examine how:

• AI agents influence creative work.

• AI-mediated processes reshape co-creation.

• Platform algorithms affect creative practice.

• Business models change in response to AI.

• Ethical and moral questions emerge through human-AI collaboration.

• Creative professionals understand the value of their work.

• Human, hybrid, and automated creative practices differ.

The project will involve employees, freelancers, and creative studios across relevant creative industries.

Creative Industry Areas

Relevant settings may include areas such as:

• Media

• Gaming

• Music

• Arts

• Design

• Other creative industries

The project aims to develop a practice-based understanding of AI-assisted creative work and provide guidance for organisations and policymakers seeking equitable, responsible, and sustainable creative practices.

Key Responsibilities

The selected doctoral researcher will:

• Study how AI agents and platform algorithms reshape creative co-creation.

• Examine moral and ethical questions associated with AI-supported creative work.

• Analyse changing business models within creative industries.

• Conduct ethnographic fieldwork with employees, freelancers, and studios.

• Investigate what practitioners value in creative work.

• Compare human, hybrid, and automated work practices.

• Develop a practice-based account of AI co-creation.

• Produce recommendations for equitable and responsible creative work.

• Refine research questions and research design with supervisors.

• Prepare research ethics, data-management, and open-science materials.

• Complete a doctoral thesis.

• Produce related academic research outputs.

• Participate in EMANAIRE training and cohort activities.

• Engage in dissemination and practitioner activities.

• Participate in teaching within the Department of Management and Organisation.

• Undertake industry collaboration.

• Complete an academic mobility period.

• Contribute to responsible AI, research integrity, open science, and FAIR data practices.

Research Methods

The project places particular emphasis on qualitative research methods, including:

• Ethnography

• Interviews

• Observation

• Longitudinal qualitative research

• Organisational fieldwork

Candidates should be comfortable conducting close interaction with participants and studying work practices and ethical dynamics over time.

Training & Mobility

The doctoral researcher will participate in:

• Local doctoral training

• Three residential schools

• Monthly paper-development seminars

• Methods workshops

• Network reviews

• Work-package activities

• Practitioner engagement

• Industry collaboration

The researcher must complete at least 60 ECTS of doctoral coursework, including at least 10 ECTS through network-wide training.

An academic mobility visit of at least three months at another EMANAIRE partner institution is also required.

A Personal Career Development Plan will be established within the first three months and reviewed every six months.

Supervision

Main Supervisor: Professor Mikko Vesa
Institution: Hanken School of Economics

The selected candidate will also receive one or two co-supervisors from the wider EMANAIRE network.

The researcher will be integrated into both:

• Department of Management and Organisation

• EMANAIRE international research network

Eligibility & Candidate Profile

Applicants should:

• Hold, or be close to completing by the start date, a relevant Master’s degree or equivalent.

• Demonstrate potential for independent doctoral research.

• Meet Hanken’s formal PhD admission requirements.

• Have excellent academic writing and communication skills in English.

Research, policy, or industry experience relevant to the project is considered advantageous.

Project-Relevant Qualifications

Particularly relevant experience includes:

• Interest in creative industries.

• Knowledge of media, gaming, music, arts, design, or related areas.

• Interest in AI-supported creative work.

• Strong qualitative research skills.

• Experience with ethnographic research.

• Interviewing and observational research.

• Longitudinal qualitative research.

• Ability to study organisational work practices.

• Ability to analyse ethical and moral dynamics.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Ability to build trust with research participants.

MSCA Eligibility Requirements

Applicants may be of any nationality.

To qualify for MSCA funding, the selected candidate must:

• Not already hold a doctoral degree on the first day of MSCA employment.

• Not have successfully defended a doctoral thesis before employment begins.

• Satisfy the MSCA mobility rule.

• Not have resided or carried out their main activity in Finland for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before the employment start date, subject to specified MSCA exclusions.

• Be enrolled in, or eligible for timely enrolment in, Hanken’s doctoral programme.

Appointment is conditional upon documentary verification of these requirements.

Salary & Employment Conditions

The current scholarship salary is:

EUR 3,755 per month

Approximately:

INR 4.00 lakh per month

The salary is determined under the Finnish university salary system and may be adjusted according to applicable regulations.

The final-year salary will differ and follow Hanken’s regular PhD salary structure.

Employment benefits include:

• Employee healthcare

• Pension benefits

• Holiday bonus

The full-time annual workload is 1,612 hours.

During the academic year, the doctoral researcher is expected to be physically present in the Helsinki department for at least three working days per week.

Application Checklist

Applicants must submit:

1. Curriculum Vitae

2. Degree Certificates

3. Academic Transcripts

4. Diploma Supplement, if applicable

5. Official English Translations, where required

6. At least 2 Academic or Professional References

7. 2,000-Word Research Proposal

8. Declaration of Doctoral Status and MSCA Mobility Compliance

9. English Language Proficiency Certificate

10. Passport Copy

11. Academic Text of at least 7,000 words

12. Aptitude Test or Evidence of Sufficient GPA

13. Statement of Purpose using Hanken’s Template

All application materials must be submitted in English.

Important Dates

• Application Period Opened: September 16, 2026

• Application Deadline: October 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM EET

• Expected Start Date: February 1, 2027, or by agreement

• Duration: 48 months

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted electronically through Hanken School of Economics’ LAURA recruitment system.

Official Vacancy:
https://hanken.rekrytointi.com/paikat/index.php?jid=401&lang=en

For project-related questions:

Professor Mikko Vesa
Email: mikko.vesa@hanken.fi

For application and doctoral admission questions:

Hanken PhD Administration
Email: admissions@hanken.fi

ServiceSetu Academics is a trusted partner in higher education. Our mission is to empower the academic community through knowledge, upskilling, and global partnerships. We have partnered with leading B-Schools and universities worldwide to drive academic and research excellence. Our portfolio spans executive education, global immersion programs, strategic outreach, certification programs, faculty development programs, short-term courses, and training with top international institutions.

Faculty Members and PhD Scholars may explore ServiceSetu Annual Membership and attend all ServiceSetu workshops FREE, and associated workshops at discounted prices during the membership tenure.

You may join the ServiceSetu Whatsapp Channel to get updates on faculty positions, leadership roles, conferences, workshops, research projects and post-doctoral fellowships, etc.

We are trusted by IITs, IIMs, and top business schools across the country for PhD outreach and conference promotions. Explore Marketing and Outreach services.

We have trained more than 10,000 academicians on different research methods, tools and techniques by conducting more than 50 workshops. Explore our Upcoming Workshops.