Field of Research & Scope

The field of research for the advertised PhD position is established by the umbrella topic of RegTech — regulation and governance of IT. Innovative technologies, such as agentic AI or autonomous systems, require new forms of regulation and new ways of governance to maintain safe and ethical use of technologies at individual, organizational, and societal levels. The concepts of controllability and risks, compliance and values become the primary objects of investigation. Positioned chiefly in the field of Management and Information Systems, research is expected to cross disciplinary boundaries to tap into fields including philosophy (ethics), law (governance), and computer science (ML) to explore topics such as design of standards-compliant AI, regulatory architecture, and governance scenarios for agentic and dual purpose autonomous systems, standards-based and standards-informing human-centric design principles and methodologies, and implementation and governance of weakly structured systems, among others.

We offer

• Collaborations: The RegTech group enjoys ongoing collaborations and offers opportunities for prospective collaboration with renowned scholars, labs, and universities around the world. This includes opportunities for international mobility and exchange.
• Interdisciplinarity: RegTech group collaborates with researchers within IT:U and supports co-supervision with other IT:U founding professors.
• Professional & personal development: With the PI’s experience navigating academia in 8 countries, doctoral students will receive comprehensive guidance throughout their academic journey at IT:U and beyond.

Responsibilities & Tasks

• Conducting research.
• Writing academic publications.
• Attending national and international conferences.
• Collaborating with other research groups on an interdisciplinary basis.
• Performing auxiliary activities in academic teaching for up to 2 weekly credit hours.
• Helping file applications for third-party funding.
• Complying with the institution’s academic standards and ethical guidelines.

Skills & Qualifications needed

• Motivated, with a strong interest in the intersection of management, information systems, information technologies, and AI.
• A master’s degree or equivalent in information systems, computer science, philosophy (ethics), or another relevant field.
• The ability to work and think independently.
• Fluent in English (CEFR C1 or equivalent).

What you can expect

• Innovative and stimulating working conditions in an interdisciplinary, international research environment.
• Office kitchen with complimentary basic supplies.
• Austrian “KlimaTicket Ö” (unlimited travel on all public transportation within Austria).
• We offer a gross salary in line with the market from EUR 3.714,80 on a full-time basis (40h).

Program Structure

IT:U offers a 4-year, structured PhD program.  
 
In the first year, emphasis is placed on focused group work, research lab modules, and Project Integrated Courses (PICS). The first year concludes with a PhD Proposal Presentation. Over the next three years, students will develop and write their PhD theses. This is accompanied by interdisciplinary research seminars and work as a project assistant. The PhD program concludes after the 4th year with the submission and defense of the PhD thesis. 
 
Click here to view the curriculum. 

How to apply

Please fill in the online application form and upload your files at: https://apply.it-u.at/

• Curriculum Vitae
• Bachelor’s and master’s diploma (or equivalent)
• Bachelor’s and master’s transcript of records
• Motivational letter (max. 2 pages)
• Up to 3 contacts of professors/collaborators for recommendations

For details, questions and expressions of interest, candidates are welcome to contact the principal investigator Vladislav Fomin, [email protected], before submitting their application. Please attach a CV to your email. 

We look forward to receiving your online application.

DEADLINE:   January 31st, 2026