Research Associate - Digital Innovation & Transformation

This is a two-year fixed-term Research Associate position in Digital Innovation and Transformation focusing on the impact of AI and emerging technologies on organizations, society, and higher education. Key responsibilities include conducting literature reviews, data analysis, preparing research outputs, and contributing to teaching on the responsible use of AI in higher education. Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant discipline and possess demonstrable knowledge of technology adoption and digital transformation.

• As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of Research Innovation Role Profiles.pdf .
• This two-year, full-time fixed term role sits within a portfolio of research and education activity led by Professor Savvas Papagiannidis.
• The work focuses on digital transformation and information systems, with particular attention to the adoption, governance and consequences of artificial intelligence, including generative AI.
• The role offers scope to contribute to research examining how digital technologies reshape organisational strategy, innovation, business models and user experience.
• You will support the development and delivery of research projects, helping to generate evidence that is useful to academic, policy, practitioner and public audiences.
• You will also contribute to teaching and learning activity concerned with the effective, responsible and evidence informed use of AI in higher education.
• This may include supporting the design and evaluation of educational interventions, such as TheoryHub, contributing to teaching materials and producing scholarship of teaching and learning outputs.
• Reporting to Professor Savvas Papagiannidis, you will work across research, education and impact activities.
• You will undertake literature reviews, support case study research and collect, analyse and interpret qualitative or quantitative data.
• You will help prepare research outputs, including reports, journal papers, conference presentations and materials for non academic audiences.
• You may contribute to stakeholder engagement with industry partners, policymakers and academic colleagues, helping to translate findings into practical insights, frameworks and recommendations.
• The role will also involve contributing ideas on research design and methodology, assessing findings to identify opportunities for further investigation, and supporting funding applications and the development of future research proposals.
• Working with Prof Savvas Papagiannidis, you will support a portfolio of research activity in digital transformation and information systems, with particular attention to the organisational, societal and educational implications of artificial intelligence.
• You will contribute to the development and delivery of projects examining how digital technologies reshape organisational strategy, innovation, business models and user experience.
• This may include undertaking literature reviews, collecting and analysing qualitative or quantitative data, supporting case-study research, preparing research outputs.
• A particular emphasis will be placed on research concerning the adoption, governance and consequences of AI, including generative AI, across organisations and wider society.
• The role will also contribute to teaching and learning projects, especially initiatives exploring the effective, responsible and evidence-informed use of AI in higher education.
• You may help design and evaluate educational interventions (such as TheoryHub), support the development of teaching, and contribute to scholarship of teaching and learning outputs resources (e.g. with theory reviews and case studies).
• Alongside research and educational activity, you will assist with impact-focused work by translating findings for academic, policy, practitioner and public audiences.
• This could involve preparing briefs and reports, supporting engagement with external partners, contributing to events and communications, and gathering evidence of the reach and significance of research-informed change.

• Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.
• We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.
• Attention to detail and ability to work at high levels of accuracy
• Ability to present complex information effectively to a range of audiences
• Proven ability to analyse data and write-up results
• Experience of working collaboratively with colleagues
• Excellent IT skills in all major office applications
• The ability to use personal initiative and creativity to solve research problems
• You will hold a doctorate in a relevant discipline, such as information systems management, business, digital innovation or a closely related field. You will have demonstrable knowledge of technology adoption, diffusion and implementation within digital transformation.
• We are particularly keen to hear from applicants who can critically evaluate theories and concepts to develop original research responses. You will be able to analyse research data accurately, draw well supported conclusions and communicate complex ideas clearly to different audiences.
• You will bring experience of collaborative research and an ability to manage your own work effectively while contributing to shared project objectives.
• Experience of presenting at conferences or publishing in high-quality outlets will be valuable, as will an interest in the organisational, societal or educational implications of artificial intelligence.
• You will be organised, attentive to detail and comfortable managing competing responsibilities to agreed deadlines. We welcome applicants who value inclusive ways of working, ongoing professional development and collaboration across disciplines and sectors.
• Demonstrable expertise in technology adoption, diffusion, and implementation in digital transformation
• Ability to critically assess and evaluate concepts/theories to develop original research solutions
• Awareness of the research environment
• High level of analytical and problem solving capacity
• Ability to communicate complex information with clarity
• Experience of presentations at conferences and/or in high quality publications
• A PhD in a relevant field (e.g., Information Systems Management, Business, Digital Innovation, or related disciplines)