Research Fellow

Post End Date:

Research Fellow

Temporary research position (June 2026. – July 2027.) dates are negotiable.

The research fellow will assist Dr. Waqar Nadeem with multiple on-going research projects to collect and analyze data as well as to present and publish findings. These projects are related to digital twins, value creation, and business model renewal. Projects are funded by Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

About the Position

Brock University’s Goodman School of Business invites applications for a research fellowship at the intersection of consumer value creation, business renewal, and digital twin technology. This fellowship is part of a SSHRC-funded program investigating how real-time digital representations of consumers, markets, and organizations are transforming how firms create, deliver, and capture value.

The successful candidate will work directly with Dr. Waqar Nadeem (Principal Supervisor) and a multidisciplinary research team to develop and empirically test frameworks for how Digital Twins drive sustainable business renewal and generate new forms of consumer and firm-level value.

Research Context

Digital Twin technology , the creation and continuous updating of virtual representations that mirror real-world entities in real time, is rapidly moving from industrial engineering into the domain of marketing, consumer behavior, and strategic management. When applied to consumers, organizations, and market ecosystems, Digital Twins create unprecedented opportunities for personalized value delivery, adaptive business models, and anticipatory strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, ethics approval, and execution of empirical studies on digital twin adoption, value creation, and business renewal
• Contribute to all stages of manuscript development through to submission in peer-reviewed journals
• Conduct systematic literature reviews across the program's core conceptual domains
• Apply advanced analytical methods (e.g., structural equation modelling, experiments, qualitative comparative analysis, longitudinal panel methods) suited to each research question
• Disseminate findings at national and international academic conferences
• Collaborate with the Principal Supervisor and research assistants across project workstreams
• Obtain Canadian work authorization prior to commencement

Qualifications Required:

• Master's or PhD (completed or near completion) in Marketing, Computer Science, Strategic Management, Information Systems, or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated ability to write to peer-reviewed scientific standards (some evidence required with application)
• Proficiency in quantitative methods (survey design, SEM, panel data, experiments) and/or qualitative approaches (interviews, case studies, comparative analysis)
• Strong systematic literature review skills and any publication record or active working papers in digital twins, value co-creation, or business renewal
• Hands-on experience with Digital Twin platforms and tools (e.g., NVIDIA Omniverse, OpenUSD, Gaussian Splatting, IOT)
• Knowledge of ethical and governance frameworks surrounding AI-generated consumer profiles and data-driven business renewal

What We Offer

• Stipend/salary commensurate with degree level (Master's or PhD), aligned with university and SSHRC fellowship standards.
• Direct mentorship from an active SSHRC-funded research team
• Opportunity to develop independent research projects within a well-resourced, structured program
• Access to Brock University's research infrastructure, library resources, and interdisciplinary networks
• A collaborative, inclusive campus environment consistently recognized as a Top Employer in Hamilton-Niagara

Compensation

The positions will be offered an hourly rate depending on the Candidates qualifications per Brock University's research assistant rate schedule, ranging from $17.60-$31.00.

How to Apply

Submit the following via Brock University’s online application portal (Blue “Apply” button above) or directly to the principal investigator comprising of:

• Letter of interest (max. one page), describe your research experience, your engagement with Digital Twin or value creation-related topics, and your fit for this position
• Curriculum vitae and contact details for two academic referees

Files may be sent directly to Dr. Waqar Nadeem at [email protected].

Post End Date:

Note to all candidates: Applications should be submitted by June 15th, 2026. After that date applications will be reviewed until the positions is filled.