Academic Associate - Business Management

Full time fixed term 

Location: York

Salary: £34,610 to £39,906 per annum 

Introduction to York St John University

Situated in the heart of the historic city of York, and with our London Campus, York St John University has a long and proud tradition as a distinguished higher education provider.

Our success is built on high-quality teaching and research, thriving campus environments, professional and pastoral support, and our values of an inclusive, innovative, and ambitious community with a strong sense of belonging.

The School

The Academic Associate (International Business Management) sits within York Business School at York St John University. York Business School at York St John University delivers innovative, industry-focused education and research, empowering students, businesses and communities to create positive social impact through responsible leadership, enterprise and sustainable growth.

Our core undergraduate programmes include: BA (Hons) Business Management, BA (Hons) Business Management (Accelerated Level 6 entry), BA (Hons) International Business, BSc (Hons) Project Management (PMDA), BA (Hons) Management and Leadership (CMDA); along with a suite of postgraduate programmes comprising MRes Business, MSc Project Management, Executive MBA, MSc Human Resource Management, MSc International Business, MSc Marketing, MSc Strategic Digital Marketing, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and MBA Healthcare Management.

Across our programmes, we emphasise research-informed teaching, inclusive practice, and developing employability skills through applied learning and placement opportunities.

The department has several dedicated research groups, including Accounting and Finance, Africa and Middle East Studies, Cybersecurity, Global Sustainability, Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Organisations, People in Employment, Responsible Marketing, Visitor Economy and Experience, Small Business Innovation. 

We maintain active links with external partners across AI and data security, tourism and visitor economy, creative industries, public and private organisations and businesses in all sectors. 

The Role

 As an Academic Associate, you will undertake a PhD within York Business School whilst also being employed by the University to support teaching and assessment on our programmes (0.5 FTE) 18.5 hours per week.

The Academic Associate position is fixed-term for four years and includes a UK tuition fee waiver/scholarship for a full-time PhD. Please note that a condition of the post is full-time study.

Timetabled teaching duties during our two semesters will not exceed six contact hours per week on two working days and may include delivering seminars, workshops, and tutorials. We may also assign marking duties, along with other related teaching and learning activities. 

Training is provided to support Academic Associates to develop their teaching-related skills and professional competencies alongside their doctoral research.

Research Role

We are inviting Academic Associates to propose research in the following area:

• The role of founders and leaders and their impact on organisations at different stages of the organisational life cycle.  

The prospective research project will focus on founder CEOs in firms at different stages of their life cycles. While there is a lot of research on CEOs, the distinct role of founders has received relatively limited attention. This aspect becomes clear when considering that many well-known and established firms are led by their founders, such as Nvidia, Tesla, Dell and others. Founders act as the entrepreneurs who establish their firms and eventually undertake leadership duties. Their impact on these organisations at different stages of their life cycles requires attention. The presence of founder CEOs challenges common assumptions that have been established in the areas of corporate governance, international human resource management, entrepreneurship and strategy. For example, while the traditional agency theory model assumes separation of ownership from control, founder CEOs act at the interface of the person who established the firm, may retain some ownership in this firm, and definitely one who strongly represents the firm to internal and external stakeholders such as employees, customers, investors and society at large. While this is a specific focus, alternative ways of advancing this area of research will be considered and discussed with the candidates. 

Successful proposals will outline core research questions in this area, demonstrate potential for making a theoretical contribution to fields such as strategic management, sustainability, strategic HRM, entrepreneurship, and allow some space for interdisciplinary value and knowledge extension. The proposal should not be more than 4 pages, single-spaced, Times New Roman 12, including references and appendices. The proposal is expected to provide a clear description of how to advance the basis of the theme described above, how to alter, advance, and expand this area by connecting it to one or more disciplines. The proposal could follow the following structure: (1) Introduction, 2) Main body and research questions, 3) Methodological approach, 4) Expected contributions. 
   
Applicants should develop a 1,500-word research proposal (not including references) as part of the application.

The research proposal will show us that you understand current thinking in your chosen topic and are equipped with the knowledge and some of the skills needed to get started on a large research project.

Supervision

Main supervision led by Dr Olga Kalogeraki 

Any appointment is conditional on acceptance to a PhD programme at York St John University. 

Required Skills and Experience

• UK undergraduate degree in Business and Management or related areas with first-class or upper second-class honours, or an equivalent qualification from a recognised overseas institution. Candidates may also have completed, or be about to complete, a Postgraduate master's degree in business and management, or a closely related discipline. 
• Applications are welcome from candidates currently studying for a postgraduate master's degree, provided that all assessment work is completed and marks confirmed before commencement of the PhD at York St John University.
• A high level of proficiency in English, sufficient to undertake doctoral research, teaching and administrative activities and to communicate effectively with staff and students. 

Additional Information

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Jenny Hall by email at [email removed] or Dr Olga Kalogeraki (Supervisor) by email at [email removed]

The selection process is expected to include an interview and presentation. We will provide further details if you are shortlisted for an interview.

Unfortunately, this role is not eligible for Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship; however, we welcome your application if you can provide evidence of the right to work in the UK through an alternative route.

Closing Date: 19 Nov 2026

Programme/Section: Academic Associate

Salary: £34,610 to £39,906 per annum