PhD Student Development AI‑Native Development Models & Virtual AI Agents (f/m/d)

Work environment

Volkswagen AG is actively shaping the transformation of technical development towards digital, data-driven and AI-supported ways of working. At the AI Competence Center of Technical Development in Wolfsburg, you will work in an interdisciplinary environment on the question of how product development, collaboration and decision-making can be further developed in an AI-native development organization. In particular, the focus is on governance, security, traceability, responsibilities and effective cooperation between humans and AI. In addition to the workplace in Wolfsburg, occasional attendance at the supervising institute is planned in order to strengthen the scientific exchange with the professor and other doctoral candidates. You will work on issues at the interface of technology, product development, processes and organization and transfer scientific findings into a complex industrial application context. The position is aimed at people who not only understand technological developments, but also want to actively shape their use in development organizations. The focus is on research as well as process and organizational development, not on the independent development of extensive software systems. If you would like to actively shape the future of AI-supported development organizations, we look forward to receiving your application.

Possible tasks within this role

• Analyzing existing development, decision-making, and coordination processes, as well as identifying opportunities and requirements for the use of AI in complex product development processes
• Conceptualizing and scientifically advancing an AI-native development model, taking into account organizational, technical, and cultural changes within large development organizations
• Investigating and shaping collaboration between humans and AI systems, including roles, responsibilities, competency requirements, and governance principles
• Modeling and evaluating AI virtual agent teams in terms of role distribution, decision logic, escalation mechanisms, auditability, and human-AI as well as agent-agent collaboration
• Testing and evaluating new ways of working together with business departments, IT experts, developers, and managers in an industrial environment

The final doctoral topic will be defined together with the professor. The prerequisite for cooperation is the confirmation of supervision and a confirmed definition of the topic by the professor of a university or research institution entitled to award doctorates.

Qualification Requirements

• Good to very good university degree qualifying for doctoral studies in computer science, business administration/engineering with a focus on AI, human-machine interaction or comparable fields of study
• Sound knowledge of artificial intelligence (e.g. ML/Deep Learning, LLM basics or multi-agent approaches) as well as interest in its application in socio-technical systems
• Understanding of software and development processes (e.g. CI/CD, MLOps, process modeling), ideally with reference to complex product/system landscapes
• Interest in the design of AI-supported organizational and development processes and, ideally, initial practical experience in digital transformation, process development or cross-departmental collaboration in complex organizations
• Ability to bring together technical, organizational and human perspectives and collaborate with different stakeholders in a targeted manner
• Initial knowledge in one or more of the following areas is an advantage: digitalization and transformation methods, vehicle development processes, agile methods or change management
• Analytical thinking, structured and independent way of working as well as a high level of initiative
• German language level C1 and English language level B2

The following documents must be submitted with the application

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter with the motivation for a doctoral degree and the desired research focus
• Current transcript of records / Master’s or Diplom degree certificate

Keywords

Dissertation, AI‑Native Development Process, AI Governance Research, Future of Work Research, Multi-Agent Systems, Socio-Technical Systems, Agile Transformation Research, Explainable AI (XAI)

What We Offer

• Attractive salary & 30 vacation days (+ 24.12. and 31.12. off)
• 35-hour week, flexible working hours, remote work
• Special conditions for the purchase and leasing of vehicles
• Free seminars on scientific work and interdisciplinary qualifications
• Participation in the doctoral network for scientific exchange with science representatives and other doctoral candidates within the Volkswagen Group

The gross monthly salary for this position, based on a 35-hour workweek and scaled according to the respective year of employment, is €3,030 (1st year), €3,194 (2nd year), and €3,497 (3rd year). In addition, there is a monthly allowance of €167 as well as a 49% share of the variable bonus.

Contact person for this posting: Fabian Wenzel