Postdoc in Engineering Leadership in a Changing World DTU Management

At Department of Technology Management and Economics (DTU Management) you will help build the research foundation for a new strategic initiative entitled Engineering Leadership Pathways an educational initiative aimed at strengthening engineers capabilities to lead technological development and organizational change in an increasingly complex world.

Through a focus on technology-intensive organizations you will be part of a team that generates new knowledge about how engineers use their technological expertise as leaders. Your insights will be put into practice within DTUs educational programmes so if you are motivated by putting empirical study and theory into practice this could be a position for you.

You will be affiliated with Division of Business and Technology Studies at Department of Technology Management and Economics and will work closely together with researchers at Centre for Technology Entrepreneurship.

Responsibilities and qualifications
The overall aim of the project is to generate new knowledge about leadership in technology-intensive organizations. As organizations confront sustainability transitions AI-mediated disruptions geopolitical uncertainty and increasingly fragile supply chains technological expertise has become a critical resource for organizational leadership. Yet we know little about how leaders draw on technical expertise when navigating uncertainty shaping organizational direction responding to emerging challenges and creating conditions for innovation and long-term transformation.

Through case studies of technology-intensive firms the successful postdoc candidate will investigate how leadership is accomplished in practice and how technological expertise becomes (or fails to become) consequential in shaping organizational priorities innovation trajectories strategic direction and responses to societal particular the postdoc will investigate how digital technologies and AI increasingly participate in the production interpretation and circulation of knowledge within organizations and how this may influence leadership practices organizational learning and decision-making processes.

You are expected to contribute directly to the development of research-based teaching cases educational materials and new learning formats for engineering students.

You must be able to document qualifications in sociology of organizations and management organization studies sociology of expertise science and technology studies (STS) strategy-as-practice accounting valuation studies political economy or related fields. You must also be able to document experience with qualitative research methods case study research interviews fieldwork and/or other practice-based approaches to studying organizations. Furthermore you should have qualifications related to leadership strategy innovation organizational change expertise knowledge practices or decision-making in organizational settings. An internationally oriented research profile documented through a PhD dissertation and/or research publications is addition you should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage productively with both academic and non-academic stakeholders as well as strong analytical and academic writing skills.

Furthermore it will be considered an advantage if applicants can document experience conducting research in technology-intensive organizations engineering contexts or organizations undergoing technological transformation. Experience with research on how organizations navigate uncertainty complexity and societal challenges such as sustainability transitions geopolitical change technological disruption or supply-chain instability will also be considered an advantage. Likewise experience studying executive work leadership practices innovation processes valuation accounting expertise or the role of technologies in organizational life is desirable.

In addition familiarity with business leadership or organizational case studies and the translation of research findings into teaching materials or other educational formats is an advantage. Familiarity with digital technologies and artificial intelligence in organizational contexts is also valued. Applicants should preferably have a record of research publications of a high international standard commensurate with the length of their academic career as well as proficiency in a Scandinavian language.

As a formal qualification you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).

We offer
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.

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional addition supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTUs salary structure for scientific staff: The period of employment is 2 years. Starting date is 1 January 2027.

You can read more aboutcareer paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Helene Friis Ratner Department of Technology Management and Economics: You can read more about Department of Technology Management and Economics at .

If you are applying from abroad you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU atDTU Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30 October 2026 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply please open the link Apply now fill out the online application form and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD in English)
• List of publications
• A project description of no more than 3 pages including references

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age gender disability race religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology which is subject to special rules for security and export control open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

Department of Technology Management and Economicsconducts excellent research at the intersection of management technology and economics. We develop solutions in close cooperation with companies and public authorities. Our research aims at strengthening welfare productivity and sustainability. A key element is the role of technology and its interaction with industry and individuals. The department offers a wide range of courses and programs at bachelor master and PhD levels across DTUs study programs. The department has 250 employees with around half of staff coming from abroad.

DTU For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europes leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europes global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13800 students 1600 PhD students and 6500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive stimulating and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.