PhD Position: Human-Machine Communication in Hybrid Knowledge-Intensive Work (MSCA EMANAIRE, TUM) Technical University of Munich in Germany

Open PhD Position for MSCA Doctoral Network EMANAIRE at the Technical University of Munich

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is recruiting a doctoral researcher for EMANAIRE (Empowering Human Agency in AI-Augmented Futures of Work), a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions doctoral network focused on how artificial intelligence is changing work, professional practice, and human agency. This position is specifically for DC11: Human-Machine Communication in Hybrid Knowledge-Intensive Work.

The project investigates how professionals in knowledge-intensive fields such as law, academia, consulting, and journalism interact with generative AI in everyday work. The research looks at human–AI interaction as an evolving communication process shaped by prompting, editing, refining, correcting, contextualizing, and deciding when to intervene. It also examines how AI can shape workers’ attention, decisions, and workflows, and how these interactions change over time as AI becomes embedded in professional practice.

This is a fully funded, three-year PhD position with a full-time employment contract at TUM. The role includes social security, health insurance, and pension contributions, with about 25% of time dedicated to teaching and career-development activities. The gross monthly salary is approximately €3,800 before taxes and social security contributions, including the MSCA mobility allowance, and an additional family allowance may be available for eligible candidates.

The position is based on site in Munich, Germany, with travel for network events and a planned six-month intersectoral secondment. Teleworking is not permitted. The working language is English, and German is not required. The expected start date is 1 January 2027, or upon agreement.

The successful candidate will be enrolled in either the TUM School of Medicine and Health or the TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology. The research is supervised at TUM by Prof. Sandra Cortesi, with possible co-supervision depending on the project focus by Prof. Christian Fieseler (BI), Prof. Urs Gasser (TUM), Prof. Christoph Lutz (BI), and Prof. Gemma Newlands (University of Zurich).

Eligibility is defined by MSCA rules: applicants may be of any nationality, must not already hold a PhD, and must satisfy the MSCA mobility rule (they must not have lived, worked, or studied mainly in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the start date). Candidates must also be able to enroll in the doctoral program in time.

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification that grants access to doctoral studies. Relevant backgrounds include psychology, communication, media studies, human-computer interaction, information systems, sociology, management, organizational behavior, human resource management, law and technology, science and technology studies, political science, or related interdisciplinary social-science fields. Strong English proficiency is required. Helpful experience includes qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods research; interviews; observation or ethnography; surveys; experiments; interaction or trace data; and interest in human-AI communication, digital technologies at work, professional practice, and AI governance.

Applications must be submitted through the EMANAIRE online form by 1 November 2026. Required documents include a CV, copies of degree certificates and transcripts, a short research proposal of no more than two pages, and contact details for two referees. Letters of recommendation are only requested from shortlisted candidates.