Kaunas University of Technology (herein after KTU) is looking for an ambitious and motivated young researcher, who wants to bring together his/her first research team and lead the research project under the funding measure No. 12-003-03-06-01 "My First Research Team."

The position is open to a researcher who is starting his/her research career and is ready to lead an independent research group in the thematic area identified below. This is a unique opportunity to expand the boundaries of scientific knowledge, gain experience in project implementation, and bring together a team for the first time as a project manager.

The thematic area of the project

"Agent–Human sandbox: exploring the limits of human substitution by autonomous agents in digital economics".

Description of the thematic area

In contemporary economic systems, the rapid advancement of AI has become a pivotal force driving structural transformations in labour markets. The traditional view that automation primarily affects routine tasks, while higher-level cognitive functions remain the domain of human competence, is rapidly changing. New generation autonomous AI agents are capable not only of executing instructions but also of planning, formulating goals, and using various tools, thus assuming functions previously considered uniquely human. When integrated into organisational structures, they can become the foundation of autonomous organisations and, over time, even elements of an autonomous economy in which value is created not by humans but through interactions among AI agents. The research seeks to systematically examine the mechanisms of human–AI interaction within labour market contexts. The proposed research seeks to examine the mechanisms of AI-Human interaction within labour market contexts with the goal of assessing human added value and resilience to automation, as well as understanding how these processes shape the labour market. The research outcome will focus on developing an Agent–Human Sandbox platform, based on standardized scenario simulations and controlled experiments.

We offer a 3-year project-based employment contract and up to €374,500 in funding for the implementation of the research project. These funds cover the salary of the young researcher, who will work on a full-time basis, and the project team, as well as travel expenses, the purchase of goods and services, and other expenses necessary for the implementation of the research project.

The start date of the project is no later than September 1, 2026.

Main responsibilities:

• to organise and coordinate project activities according to the provisions of the project financing and/or joint venture agreement and to monitor the timetables for their implementation;

• to conduct research and experimental development activities scheduled in the project;

• to publish the results of the research conducted in the project in scientific publications; to announce the results of the research conducted in the project in the presentations at scientific conferences;

• to analyse, summarise and document the results achieved in the project;

• to care the publicity and dissemination of the results of the project;

• to participate in the preparation of project performance reports;

• to make decisions within his/her competence necessary for the implementation of the objectives defined in the project plan;

• to make sure that appropriate methods and measures are used in the implementation of the project;

• to cooperate with the project team for the achievement of the project objectives.

Main requirements:

• The candidate must hold a PhD in economics: time period from the date of obtaining a doctoral degree until the last day of the call deadline (January 23, 2026) should not exceed 7 (seven) years (this period does not include maternity and childbirth leave, paternity leave, parental leave, or periods of long-term incapacity for work);

• The candidate may not have led a research project funded by the Research Council of Lithuania, carried out under these measures and/or programs, before the deadline for applying for this position (January 23, 2026):

1. the 2014–2020 EU Structural Funds Investment Action Programme Measure No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718 “Targeted Research in Smart Specialisation Areas”;

2. the 2014–2020 EU Structural Funds Investment Action Programme Measure No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712 “Development of the Scientific Competence of Scientists, Other Researchers, and Students through Practical Scientific Activities”, excluding measures for promoting students’ scientific activities and for postdoctoral fellowships;

3. researchers groups projects;

4. the State Programme for Lithuanian Studies 2016–2024;

5. short-term research in the fields of health, education, and training;

6. national research programmes: Welfare Society, Healthy Ageing, Sustainability of Agro-, Forest and Water Ecosystems, Towards Future Technologies, Modernity in Lithuania;

7. competitive priority research programmes: Welfare Society, Strengthening Societal Resilience and Crisis Management in the Context of Contemporary Geopolitical Events;

8. the dedicated programme “Information Technologies for the Development of Science and the Knowledge Society”;

9. projects carried out under bilateral and multilateral international agreements: Lithuania–Taiwan projects, the Baltic Research Programme, Lithuania–Poland projects;

10. projects carried out under measure No. 12-001-01-02-01 "Strengthening Innovation Ecosystems in Research Centers" Annex 13 to the description of the project being implemented (applies to the scientific direction of applied competence centers, thematic leaders, research team leaders, and their proposed teams that will carry out R&D projects in accordance with the internal procedures of the relevant partner institution).

• The candidate must have required competencies of a recognised researcher set out in the Description of Mandatory Competencies for the Career Stages of Researchers in Research and Academic Institutions (possession of, or a desire to develop the preferred competencies is an advantage);

• Research experience in participating in international scientific projects; preference is given to candidates with experience in Horizon Europe or other international research funding programmes;

• Research experience in research activities and dissemination of their results; preference is given to candidates whose scientific publications have been published in international peer-reviewed journals indexed in the Web of Science database with an Impact Factor;

• Research experience in applying advanced data analysis, machine learning, and/or other artificial intelligence methods to the analysis of macroeconomic and labour market indicators;

• Dissemination of research results through media and science communication channels;

• English language knowledge of at least C1 level;

• At least 3 (three) years of experience in organizational, or academic activities;

• Knowledge of project planning and management, budget and activity plan preparation principles;

• Skills in preparing documents and reports;

• Leadership, analytical thinking, initiative, consistency, responsibility.

Additional experience:

• Experience working with the Python programming language, applying it to data analysis, econometric modelling, machine learning solutions, and the automation of research and data processing;

• Practical experience in the IT industry, developing, deploying, and optimizing data-driven solutions, machine learning models, and artificial intelligence systems applied in business and technological environments.

Benefits:

• Meaningful work at KTU – one of the largest technological universities in the Baltic States and a leading institution of higher education in Lithuania;

• Opportunities for professional development: internal and external training, international seminars;

• Well-being solutions: partner discounts with Perks, employee well-being program – Kaip tu, gyms, additional vacation days;

• Hourly rate – 29.58 EUR/hour gross, workload – 40 hours/week (full-time);

• Hybrid work model – possibility to work remotely 1 day per week.

List of documents to submit:

• Copy of PhD diploma;

• Curriculum vitae (CV);

• List of scientific publications;

• Copies of documents certifying maternity and paternity leave, parental leave, or childcare leave, or copies of birth certificates for children (if applicable);

• Copies of documents certifying long-term illness (if applicable).

Application deadline:

Please submit your application via form down below no later than January 23, 2026 (inclusive).

For additional information, please contact Agnė Karabanovaitė, Organisation Development Specialist, at cv@ktu.lt.