4-5 PhD positions on data science, theme Business Eindhoven University of Technology, Department of Mathematics & Computer Science

JADS: New research initiative on data science: 4-5 PhD positions on data science, theme Business in a joint research initiative between Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and Tilburg University (TiU).

Job description

THEME: Business

JADS: New research initiative on data science

 

The Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) is the unique collaboration of two renowned universities bringing together their top academics to further the emerging and multidisciplinary academic field of data science. JADS not only offers nine academic educational programs (Bachelor, Master, PD.ENG, PhD and Professional) but also hosts three research centers; the Data Science Center Eindhoven (DSC/e), the Data Science Center Tilburg (DSC/t), and the Data Science Center Den Bosch (DSC/db) at the new Mariënburg campus. At these centers we conduct groundbreaking research on data science and create concrete societal value. 

 

The new Mariënburg campus on Data Science is located in a historic and beautiful former convent in the heart of the medieval city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch and is within walking distance from the central train station. It is the place where academics with engineering and business/social competences meet each other and participate in a wide-spread data science ecosystem. It is a buzzing and diverse place where learning based on data has center stage. The Mariënburg campus hosts lecture halls, academic labs, student apartments, data start-ups, corporate field labs, a coder dojo, and a data artist. By mixing students, academics, and companies, all on the topic of data science, we aim to cross-fertilize, innovate and transform data into value-adding insights and wisdom to advance companies, governments and society at large.

The Mariënburg Research Themes

 

The Mariënburg research group focuses on four themes that will each be addressed through collaboration from several disciplines:

• Theme 1:  Business in a world of Data

• Theme 2:  Humans in a world of Data

• Theme 3:  Rules in a world of Data

• Theme 4:  Services in a world of Data

 

In all cases PhD researchers will have their home base in Mariënburg. Moreover, PhD researchers typically will have one supervisor from Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and one from Tilburg University (TiU).

Project description

 

Theme: Business in a world of Data

 

A classical definition of Big Data focuses on the four V’s: Volume, Variety, Veracity and Velocity. In Mariënburg, the fifth V of Value takes centre stage. While value is critically important, creating and subsequently capturing (economic, environmental and/or social) value from data (Big, small, or a combination of both) is far from straightforward.

 

To kick-start the Mariënburg “Business in a World of Data”, we have defined four subthemes:

• Data-Driven Organizations (DDO’s). This subtheme looks into the organizational and transformational aspects of creating value with data. What is the impact on managing organizations of changing towards a data-driven business model?

• Data-Driven Business Models. Within this subtheme, we examine which new revenue models and features (e.g., ethical features) emerge in the data economy through webservices, API’s.  How do these business models fit together in

  overarching innovation ecosystems and how should such ecosystems be managed?

• Customized Data Entrepreneurship Interventions. This subtheme pertains to designing and building customized experimental and survey tools, and build services (e.g., apps, API’s, games, and tests) to offer entrepreneurs tailor-made advice as to how to improve their ventures’ performance. What advice to give when, and what’s the effect?

• Civic, Public and Social Entrepreneurship. Traditionally, entrepreneurship is associated with for-profit enterprises. However, if entrepreneurship is defined as proactively and innovatively spotting and exploring new opportunities, this is anything but restricted to the commercial marketplace. What are the antecedents and consequences of such civic, public and social entrepreneurship.

Profile

 

This theme has openings for 4-5 PhD researchers.  We are looking for PhD researchers with expertise in one or more of the following fields:  data mining, machine learning, social network analysis, process analytics, predictive analytics, organizational theory and entrepreneurship.

 

PhD researchers are expected to:

• Perform scientific research in the domain described;

• Collaborate with other researchers in this project;

• Present results at (international) conferences;

• Publish results in scientific journals;

• Participate in activities of the group, not only in ‘s-Hertogenbosch but  in Eindhoven and Tilburg;

• Assist in teaching undergraduate/graduate courses;

 

Be willing to work at multiple locations (the Mariënburg campus will be the main office of the Ph.D. candidate, but one may also be temporary stationed at TU/e and/or at TiU or with one of our partners).

 

Job requirements

 

Job qualifications

 

Candidates should:

• Have a Master degree in Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Psychology, Econometrics, Law or a related discipline;

• Have a strong interest in data science research;

• Be highly motivated, be rigorous and disciplined when developing algorithms and software according to high quality standards;

• Be a fast learner, autonomous and creative, show dedication and be hard working;

• Possess good communication capabilities and be an efficient team worker;

• Be fluent in English, both spoken and written.

 

The core team consists of prof. dr. J.A. (Arjan) van den Born (TiU), Dr. K.S. (Ksenia) Podoynitsyna (TU/e), and prof. dr. A. (Arjen) van Witteloostuijn (TiU).

 

Conditions of employment

 

Appointment and salary

 

The PhD-candidate will be employed at Tilburg University (TiU) or Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e).  PhD researchers will be officially appointed at the department of the professor, who will act as prime PhD supervisor.  We offer:

• A full-time temporary appointment. The duration of the contract will depend on where the organizational positioning will take place;

• A gross salary of € 2,191 per month in the first year increasing up to € 2,801 per month in the fourth year;

• A holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% (annually);

• Researchers from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a tax-free allowance equal to 30% of their taxable salary. The University will apply for such an allowance on their behalf;

• Assistance in finding accommodation (for foreign employees);

• The opportunity to perform research in a large-scale joint project from a leading technical university and a leading high-tech company;

• Support for your personal development and career planning including participation in the EIT doctoral training, courses, summer schools, conference visits, research visits to other institutes (both academic and industrial), etc.;

• A broad package of fringe benefits (including excellent technical infrastructure, child day care, savings schemes and excellent sport facilities).

 

Information and application

 

Information  

For more information about the initiative, please contact research@jads.nl.

 

Selection procedure

The only way to apply is online by following the button “apply now” or "solliciteer direct". Applications via e-mail will not be accepted.

 

Candidates are asked to provide a detailed CV and a motivation letter that indicates one or more of the PhD projects that the candidate wishes to apply for. If your are interested in several PhD projects, please apply for the projects separately (by selecting the themes/vacancies you want to apply for).

 

Applications should be submitted 1 July 2017 at the latest. Selection will be on-going in the period March, 2017 - July, 2017. This means that suitable candidates will be interviewed and if deemed fit, be hired immediately without waiting for applications of other candidates.