AHO calls for applications for two full-time positions as Ph.D. research fellowships for a three year period (1 September 2011 to 30 August 2014). The research fellows will be part of a larger research initiative as part of the Centre for Service Innovation. This will be carried out through the Institute of Design at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design (AHO), a partner to the Centre.
One of the two positions is funded by AHO and will be considered extended to four years in connection with the appointment.
The Centre for Service Innovation (CSI) is a Centre of Research Based Innovation, recently awarded by the Norwegian Research Council. It is expected to be funded over an eight year period. CSI is a multi-partner centre, with strong business and research resources and is led by the NORWEGIAN SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (NHH).
For more information about the CSI, see http://www.nhh.no/no/forskning-og-fagmiljø/sentre-og-programmer/nhh-2021/senter-for-tjenesteinnovasjon-(csi)/csi.aspx
AHO will be involved in several of the CSI research themes, but will focus upon theme 1: “Customer and brand experience as a source of Service Innovation”. The research fellows will be an integral part of the AHO team, comprising several design-based R&D competences. The fellows are expected to work closely together with the other research partners and service providers. Both positions will be practice based, and applicants will work with relevant case projects, often participating in service development as part of cross-functional teams. The positions are based at AHO’s Institute of Design and require full time residence throughout the period, including participation in the Ph.D. program (attendance at the one year research school) and IDE’s research activities.
Areas of specific interest:
As part of the theme “Customer and brand experience as a source of Service Innovation” we are specfically addressing the experience-centric organisation. Two positions are available. The applicant should orient his or her research project proposal to one of the following:
Position 1: Designing for memorable service experiences
The first position should focus upon ‘designing for memorable service experiences‘ and should be directed towards the design of services that have a special meaning for customers. We are interested in exploring and developing an understanding of what makes services special to customers and how this can facilitate the design process. This aspect of the special can be something that is inherent in the offering, its orchestration over time or in its delivery. We believe that there are strong cultural influences that make us perceive services as special, and would like the project to explore cultural negotiation of meaning, and how time-based services can be given an extra emotional dimension. Aspects such as functional, emotional, self-expressive and idealistic value should be considered. The project should aim to develop insights, tools and processes that facilitate development of such services, such that tangible tools can be made available to project patners. Applicants should be willing to take an iterative approach to the development of design support, in which relevant case studies are explored together with project partners.
Position 2: The transition from brand strategy to customer experience
The second position should focus upon how a company can ensure a successful ‘transition from brand strategy to customer experience’. Many companies have utilised considerable resources in the development of their service brands during the past decade and have clear brand strategies and brand handbooks. However, during a design process, the project team needs to transform this knowledge from its written form into an experiential form. This is not always achieved successfully, and a finished service runs the risk of eroding the brand rather than strengthening it. The project should be directed towards structuring and improving the service design process such that brand values are successfully transformed into customer experiences during the design process. This semantic transformation is poorly understood for services, and AHO has already carried out some promising research as a basis for this work. This project should build upon this work, which is presented at http://www.aho.no/PageFiles/6819/New/Clatworthy_Target_experience_final.pdf
Requirements:
Applicants must hold a Master’s Degree or equivalent in a field of relevance to the above-mentioned project areas (eg. Service Design, Interaction Design, Design Management, Visual Communication, Product Design).
The application must include:
- A letter of application describing why the applicant feels qualified for this position. In particular the applicant should identify the questions from the above list that they would like to explore and how they would approach this as part of a PhD project (two A4 pages maximum).
- A fully completed application form (see below)
- A written project proposal (up to five pages) detailing the theme, types of problem and the research method(s) you propose to use in your project.
- A portfolio of your work/design experience
- A Curriculum Vitae (contact details, summary of education, positions and academic work, academic publications, design work, competencies in software etc.) especially highlighting aspects relevant to this proposal.
- Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records and letters of recommendation.
- List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee, if not included in the CV.
- Examples of work written (where relevant) by the applicant. Three works maximum.
- Names and contact details of 3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail address and telephone number)
Foreign applicants must attach an explanation of their university’s grading system. Please remember that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.
Download application form at http://www.aho.no/PhD-application-form
Evaluation criteria
Applications will be evaluated based upon the quality of the submitted project proposal and supporting documentation. Applicants with service design experience or design research experience are preferred. Applicants fluent in Norwegian will be preferred, although this is not a formal application requirement.
Position & Salary:
PhD Research Fellow (SKO 1017), pay grade: 48 (383 700 NOK)
From the salary there will be a mandatory deduction of the 2% as contribution to the State Pension Fund. Normal employment conditions for state employees apply for the position. AHO has its own company health service.
Contact:
For further information, please contact:
Submission of application:
The application (with all enclosures) must be submitted in 5 paper copies and sent to:
AHO
CSI Research Fellow
Postbox 6768 St. Olavs plass
N-0130 Oslo
In addition, the application must be sent electronically to: postmottak@aho.no
Application deadline: 16th May 2011