About this role
About the position Inland School of Business and Social Sciences , The PhD programme Innovation in Services in the Public and Private Sectors (INSEPP) , invites candidates to apply for a 3-year PhD research fellowship, to work with the broad field of innovation studies with particular focus on neurodivergence in the workplace and innovation. Depending on the department’s needs, and the candidate‘s competence and preferences, the position may be transformed into a four-year position with 25% teaching duties. The purpose of the PhD research fellowship for the admitted candidate is to undergo a research training programme that leads to the successful completion of a doctoral degree. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment. The candidate is expected to participate actively in INSEPP’s activities. After commencement, the candidate must apply for admission to the PhD programme within three months. An agreement for admission to the PhD programme must be in place within six months after commencement. The candidate will be part of the Department of Organisation, Leadership and Management and the People and Organization research group (P&O) and OASIS (Organisasjon, arbeid og socialpsykologi i samfunnet) research group. In addition to INSEPP, these environments represent a valuable resource for PhD studies. The workplace is Campus Lillehammer. Contact information: Professor Annette Risberg, phone number: +47 62 43 04 28, e-mail: [email protected] Head of PhD programme Marit Engen, phone number: +47 61 28 81 07, e-mail: [email protected] About the project The PhD candidate will independently drive the project as part of a research environment working on inclusion, equality, and diversity. The main supervisor conducts research on neurodiversity in the workplace. The second supervisor conducts research on diversity and inclusion and has expertise in research methods. The third supervisor conducts research on organizational psychology and innovation. Project Background Neurodivergent diagnoses — including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia — are increasing among both children and adults. At the same time, neurodivergent individuals face high unemployment rates, limited career opportunities, and persistent workplace discrimination. While neurodivergence has received growing attention in discussions of innovation and organizational competitiveness, workplace practices often remain grounded in neuronormative assumptions that privilege neurotypical ways of thinking and working. Research indicates that such assumptions are embedded in organizational and HR systems through misrecognition, superficial inclusion efforts, and unreflective routines, which may obscure or undervalue neurodivergent contributions. Drawing on diversity and inclusion research and innovation theory — particularly process-based and socioorganizational approaches — the project examines how neurodivergent cognitive profiles interact with organizational structures and practices to shape innovation processes across different stages, and under what conditions such contributions are enabled or constrained. Project Overview The project investigates how neurodivergent cognitive profiles influence innovation in organizational and entrepreneurial contexts. Neurodivergence is understood as a form of cognitive variation, where implications for innovation depend on organizational context, practices, and evaluative criteria. The project will examine how characteristics associated with neurodivergent cognition — such as sustained attention, associative thinking, pattern recognition, and tolerance for ambiguity — relate to different stages of the innovation process, including idea generation, development, and implementation. The project combines an individual-level focus on cognitive characteristics with an organizational-level analysis of how structures, cultures, and practices shape whether and how these characteristics become relevant for innovation, with particular relevance for knowledge-intensive and professional service contexts. Societal Relevance The project addresses challenges related to labor market inclusion and social sustainability. Despite an estimated unemployment rate of around 40% among autistic adults, limited knowledge exists about how organizational conditions shape opportunities for participation and contribution. By applying a neurodiversity perspective, the project focuses on the interaction between individual characteristics and organizational environments. This includes how organizational design, work practices, and evaluative systems may create or reduce barriers to participation, and how inclusion may involve changes at both the individual and organizational level. Qualifications The appointed candidate must qualify for admission to the university’s PhD programme Innovation in Services in the Public and Private Sectors (INSEPP). You must have the following qualifications: A master’s degree or equivalent education in Organization, Leadership and Management studies, Organizational psychology or psychology are relevant to the position. Innovation studies are meriting. The master’s degree must normally constitute 120 ECTS credits, including a master’s thesis of at least 30 ECTS credits. The grade of the master’s thesis must be B or better. o Candidates must have submitted their master’s thesis and received a grade of B or better by the application deadline. o Temporary transcripts of records and the master thesis must be included as part of the application. o The final diploma for the master’s degree must be available by the time of employment. The master’s degree must be composed of 120 ECTS (or equivalent research experience), including a master’s thesis of at least 30 ECTS, cf. NOKUT’s requirements for admission to PhD education and INN’s PhD regulations. A strong academic background from your previous studies. The average grade should normally be B or better from the master’s program or equivalent