Darius tells us what it's like to be a research scholar while working at PwC Switzerland

Darius has been part of our community of solvers for more than five years. After his master’s thesis, he started his career in Advisory and now works in the fields of cybersecurity and automation. His continuous drive to learn and take on new challenges has gotten him a PhD position at Yale University, where he is currently pursuing his doctorate in Ethics of Digital Transformation jointly with the Institute of Social Ethics ISE of the University of Lucerne.

We’ve asked Darius some questions about his path, the interplay of research and the private sector and his most important learnings along the way.

"I’m very grateful that I’ve had and still have the support of PwC Switzerland and that I’m able to work part-time and take a study leave to pursue my PhD. This was crucial for me, and I’m happy to hopefully finish the programme at the end of 2023."

1. You’re currently finalising your three-year PhD programme. What’s it like being a research scholar while working at PwC Switzerland?

It’s been an exciting time! I get to connect the dots between practice and theory by building bridges between ethical research and cybersecurity and automation project work for my clients.

I’m very grateful that I’ve had and still have the support of PwC Switzerland and that I’m able to work part-time and take a study leave to pursue my PhD. This was crucial for me, and I’m happy to hopefully finish the programme at the end of 2023.

2. How did your education in Ethics and Digital Transformation benefit you in your daily work and vice versa?

I find the interplay between research and the private sector super interesting and most rewarding. On the one hand, I can better grasp technological questions and challenges which require further ethical evaluation, and on the other hand, I can then assess what insights from research could be used for project work. In addition, specific use-cases from practice may be used to demonstrate the importance of further research in the context of advancing automation. I’m very much looking forward to incorporating the gained insights of my PhD as part of my new role as Swiss Data Platform Lead.

3. What are your biggest learnings from this eventful couple of years?

Building a network both in the academic field as well as in the current firm is essential. In addition to mentors, who will ideally support you throughout the journey, you need to broaden your network in the respective “worlds”. For example, by being part of student associations and extra-curricular activities, which bear great significance in universities like Yale. I’ve also learnt the importance of keeping a balance while juggling multiple projects at the same time – it’s crucial to set realistic goals and maintain strict priorities in order to advance.

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Darius tells us what it's like to be a research scholar while working at PwC Switzerland

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