IT:U & JKU Doctoral School
PhD program Digital Transformation in Learning
Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are changing when, what, and how we learn in higher education and at the workplace. IT:U’s PhD program Digital Transformation in Learning explores how digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are reshaping education and learning processes.
Investigate the impact of AI on education, social and cognitive aspects of learning, and the role of technology in shaping future educational systems. Join our PhD program and develop innovative learning technologies that enhance personalized learning, improve collaboration, and transform traditional teaching methods.
How you’ll learn
Our PhD program Digital Transformation in Learning combines IT:U’s innovative interdisciplinary teaching approaches and emerging technologies-based learning labs with the well-established and proven concept of JKU’s Linz School of Education.
Our structured PhD program aims to equip students with skills in computational thinking, design-based research, and interdisciplinary research. This way, students are encouraged to develop and evaluate how emerging technologies could enhance and expand active learning.
Work with outstanding supervisors from our local and international ecosystems. They offer perspectives from their fields of expertise to support your academic progress. We aim to explore new ways of learning from a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to the following:
- Psychology
- Pedagogy
- Physics
- Computer science
- Others
Students from the above backgrounds and a variety of other fields can apply and explore perspectives like:
- STEM education
- Instructional design
- Professional learning
The above are examples of disciplines and perspectives. As long as you fulfil all other application requirements, you can join us from any field of study.
At IT:U, you learn to identify and analyze research gaps and societal issues and how to find solutions through interdisciplinary approaches. This combination of subject-specific knowledge and interdisciplinary competencies aims to prepare students for key roles in a future driven by digital transformation. This novel learning environment provides a creative ecosystem to think beyond usual research approaches.
The structure of our PhD program Digital Transformation in Learning
The program is structured over four years and includes coursework, research modules, and a PhD thesis. You will engage in project-based learning, research methodology training, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Year 1 of your PhD in Digital Transformation in Learning
- Core Modules (20 ECTS)
- Project Module (10 ECTS)
- Research Lab Module (30 ECTS)
End of Year 1/Beginning of Year 2
- PhD Proposal Presentation
Year 2 to 4 of your PhD in Digital Transformation in Learning
- Teaching as a Project Assistant
- Interdisciplinary Research Seminar (30 ECTS – 5 per term)
- Working on your PhD Thesis (150 ECTS)
End of Year 4
- PhD Thesis Submission
- PhD Thesis Defense
In addition to that, you can tailor your studies by selecting electives in areas like
- Data science
- Machine learning
- AI literacy
Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in academia, industry, and public sectors, contributing to the advancement of digital learning technologies.
What our students say about our PhD program
“The program has provided me with a strong interdisciplinary foundation to explore education, engineering and technology. Its project-based structure allows me to apply research to real-world challenges. Through innovative lessons and experiments I gained deeper insights into how digital transformation can change education. I feel lucky to be a part of IT:U”Melike Nur Köroğlu
“The PhD program at IT:U feels like an exciting boat trip filled with new perspectives and discoveries. What gives me confidence is knowing that the boat is steered by the expertise and support of my supervisors and professors. I am happy to be part of this open, international university that encourages me to think creatively and explore the intersection of education and technology.”Saba Soleimani
Responsibilities and tasks
You are up! We expect you to acquire new knowledge and skills like learning psychology, computational thinking, and programming. This will help you conduct interdisciplinary research independently within our projects and learning labs. Analyze digital solutions, such as conversational agents and learning analytics. Answer scientific research questions while simultaneously addressing educational problems.
Gain valuable educational experience while having the opportunity to teach other students in your field of expertise. Over four years, you will write and publish several research papers, culminating in writing and defending your PhD thesis. To achieve all of this, we expect you to work independently while also collaborating with your team and relevant stakeholders in the inspiring atmosphere of the JKU and IT:U university campuses in Linz, Austria.
Meet your supervisors
Our supervisors come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from mathematics to psychology to physics. Each supervisor explores and specializes in an education-related topic to offer you the support you need during your PhD studies. Some examples of innovation in education that they look at are:
- The development and application of dynamic mathematics software in education.
- The development and validation of research-based teaching materials for high school and university level.
- The exploration of how cognitive, emotional, and motivational factors intertwine in effective learning environments.
Discover new ways of learning with our experienced supervisors.
Digital Transformation in Learning research group
Work with Assistant Professor Sebastian Dennerlein and fellow students on shaping intelligent learning technologies. Explore new ways of active learning with intelligent learning technology and how to develop these technologies responsibly based on ethical considerations. In this research group, we aim to research technology in terms of:
- individual and collaborative learning and their integration into challenge-driven projects.
- dynamics of learning and reflexivity in small groups.
- the role of well-being and regulation in interdisciplinary and professional contexts.
“Addressing societal challenges requires new practices of active learning and working, afforded by intelligent learning technologies. In our PhD programme, therefore, we study technology-enhanced learning in higher education and at the workplace and take a process-oriented perspective on aspects such as regulation and facilitation of learning.”Sebastian Dennerlein, Assistant Professor of Digital Transformation in Learning and Chair of the PhD Program
“Our 4-year PhD program offers a flexible curriculum tailored to the students’ prior academic experience. They will acquire new competencies in project-based learning, research lab immersions, and other new forms of learning such as participating in competitions and hackathons. The program committee consisting of professors from IT:U, JKU, and other internationally recognized researchers will guide the students throughout their journey.”Alexander Steinmaurer, Study Program Coordinator of the PhD Program
What you can expect
We value your work! You will be employed at IT:U during your entire PhD. We offer a gross salary in line with the market rate of €3.714,80 on a 40-hour full-time basis. Our employees also benefit from a free “Klimaticket” for Austria, which covers all modes of public transportation. And of course, your coffee and snacks are on us.
