Job Description

About ARU:

We are ranked in the world\xe2\x80\x99s top 350 institutions in the 2022 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and we are a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. Our research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK\xe2\x80\x99s Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world-leading. In 2021, we were awarded the Queen\xe2\x80\x99s Anniversary Prize for our world-leading music therapy work.

About the Role:

Anglia Ruskin University is inviting applications for a fully-funded Vice-Chancellor\xe2\x80\x99s PhD Scholarship for a period of 36 months in the School of Management within the Faculty of Business and Law.

Project Description:

Rapid technological advancement has motivated contemporary organizations to shift focus from production and efficiency to employees\xe2\x80\x99 well-being with respect to use of virtual technologies at work. Industry 5.0 refers to a situation in which work with smart technologies such as virtual platforms and highlights a human core (e.g., well-being) and employees\' resilience, including in the context of employees\' interactions with new intelligent technologies. Unlike previous industrial revolutions that focused on the economic aspects of sustainability and production, Industry 5.0 highlights human centricity. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of exploring the effects of virtual work on employees\xe2\x80\x99 well-being and work performance. To improve work outcomes, it is crucial to investigate why and how working virtually affects employees\xe2\x80\x99 mental state and well-being, and thus their subsequent work behaviours. It is also necessary to develop corresponding human resource and business strategies. However, such research has been largely overlooked in the literature.

The future of work may require employees to work using a virtual platform on which they must interact with virtual objects or interact with other people virtually. Given ongoing innovative technological developments, such technologies are predicted to be used widely across industries in within 5-10 years. However, only very recently have researchers begun to discuss how working in this new environment will affect employees\' well-being and subsequent work behaviours (e.g., task-related and environmentally friendly behaviours).

This project aims to answer previously proposed research questions by conducting a study in the healthcare sector in the United Kingdom, including the National Health Service (NHS). It has become necessary to promote well-being among NHS staff because of the recent pandemic and the corresponding transformation of the working style in the sector. Previous studies have provided insights into how use of virtual reality (VR) technology benefits employees\xe2\x80\x99 wellbeing, particularly in healthcare settings. However, due to the transformation of the working style associated with the NHS healthcare such that affiliated professionals are required to work virtually, it has become essential to understand whether and how working virtually affects their well-being and work performance with the goal of developing managerial interventions to support their well-being improvement.

The award is subject to the successful candidate meeting the studentship Terms and Conditions which can be found on our website alongside further information about the project: and enquiries can be directed to

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of our staff and students and expect all staff to share this commitment.

We value diversity at ARU and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Anglia Ruskin University