Leading & Learning: a PhD journey Shaped by Industry Insight
Linn Merete Sandvold was admitted to the PhD program in Technology at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) in 2025, on a 50% contract, while working full time at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace as a Department Manager in Systems Engineering. She is grateful for the opportunity to combine PhD studies with work in industry, but how does she manage to balance the demands of a high-responsibility job with the challenges of a PhD?
A Dual Commitment
Linn describes the experience as both demanding and deeply rewarding. Most of her academic work is done during evenings and weekends, while her employer allows flexibility for interviews and data collection during work hours. The key, she says, is to find synergies between work and research, choosing a topic that aligns with Kongsberg’s core activities and long-term company goals. She compares the experience to wearing two hats: “It’s essential to be conscious of which hat you’re wearing. If you wear both at the same time for too long, you’ll be exhausted. When I’m at work, I wear my work hat. Occasionally, I get to wear my research hat at work too, and that makes me very happy. Even though they are two very different jobs, the topic is the same, but from different perspectives”.
Value Creation for Both Sides
Linn has already published several articles, which have been used internally at Kongsberg. Her PhD project focuses on developing strategies for accelerating innovation in a rapidly changing environment, offering insights that go beyond the company’s daily operations. It’s a relatively modest investment for the company, but she thinks it has the potential to generate meaningful returns. Through my articles, I’ve learned a lot about our external environment and how various external factors interact with and influence us. By sharing these reflections internally, I hope to contribute with valuable insights that can enrich ongoing discussions and support informed decision-making within the organization. Delivering results along the way is also key: “It motivates me to see that what I’m doing is useful. I also need to show my employer that they’re getting something in return. There’s an expectation that I deliver, and I take responsibility for demonstrating that value.”
The Industry as a Living Lab
This approach to practice provides a unique platform for applied research and makes academic work more relevant and impactful. “It’s like building a toolbelt. You gain different tools that you can pull out when needed." PhD study helps you develop critical reflection and see a broader world than your everyday work, while one of the greatest advantages of doing a PhD in industry is immediate access to data and feedback. “I am lucky to have the expertise is right outside my office door. I can draw on their knowledge, test ideas, gather responses, and implement changes in real time.”
Support from INRESCOS (Industrial Research School in Complex Systems) and supervisors
INRESCOS, operating in close collaboration between USN, UiA, and NTNU, has played a crucial role in providing academic community, cross-institutional courses, and professional development. “I had no academic network before. INRESCOS gave me access to a broader research environment.” She thinks courses in research communication and presentation skills are particularly valuable, especially for someone who doesn’t naturally enjoy being on stage. " I’m also very happy with my supervisors, especially Kristin Falk which is director of INRESCOS. She gives me a lot of flexibility, and she’s always been available."
Advice to Future Candidates
Linn encourages others to explore the possibility of doing a PhD while working in industry, but only if they’re truly motivated: “You need an inner drive. Be honest with yourself about whether you’re willing to invest your time, often late evenings.” She also emphasizes the importance of having a mentor or promoter, someone who can help navigate both academic and industrial landscapes. And she believes it’s important not to be afraid to try:“Don’t let fear stop you, the worst that can happen is that you gain experience. Set small, achievable goals: one article at a time, one course at a time.”
Alumni and Peer Support
Linn believes alumni could play a vital role in supporting new candidates: “You have professors as supervisors, but not someone who went through it yesterday. If I had an alumnus mentor who had done this before me, he or she probably had tips and tricks, that would be incredibly helpful.” She also sees alumni as powerful internal promoters: “People have heard about the positive experience from a previous Industrial PhD candidate and colleague of mine, and how he succeeded. That spreads quickly and helps build trust in the model.”
The Bigger Picture
INRESCOS is not just about individual development, it’s about building bridges between academia and industry. “The research school is a continuation of USN’s successful industrial master program just at a higher academic level.” In Linn’s department at Kongsberg, many master students from this program are working and studying simultaneously. With this positive experience, it was easier for her to gain consensus and support when she proposed starting her own PhD while continuing to work. The benefits are clear: “They get research and actionable contribution, motivated employees, and competence development. It’s about creating a culture where research and practice go hand in hand. And that’s something worth investing in.” I believe Kongsberg is at the forefront with this perspective.