PhD in Network Statistics and Machine LearningFaculty/Services: Faculty of Economics and Business
Educational level: Master
Function type: Academic Staff
Closing date: 1 May 2023
Vacancy number: 11265
Are you interested in studying networks and using methodology at the cross-section of business analytics, econometrics and computer science? The Business Analytics section at the University of Amsterdam Business School invites applications for a PhD position in Network Statistics and Machine Learning. We are looking for candidates with the ambition to work and succeed at the highest international academic level. The main topic of research is network analysis and modelling using statistical and machine learning tools. Network data are ubiquitous in finance, social media, the economy, and business. Social networks play an increasingly important role in society. For example, the Reddit community WallStreetBets hyped the stock of GameStop (GME), causing a short squeeze and extremely volatile stock prices in early 2021. Similarly, statements made on social networks such as Twitter have been shown to impact public and voter opinions. Exemplifying how social networks directly affect the economy, this project focusses on studying network data with a specific interest in modelling and understanding how networks change over time. Change detection in an online fashion is a challenging task in networks of large size, a common property of social networks. In this research, the candidate will first investigate and develop interpretable network analysis approaches using statistical models and test them on real-life data. Then geometric deep learning approaches for the tasks like node classification, link prediction and graph classification will be developed with change detection ability. In the final phase of the project, the candidate should bring together two families of methods and design an optimized algorithm that is both interpretable and yields a high performance in network change detection. The PhD student will work in close collaboration with the supervisory team and other faculty on the tasks. The supervisory team will consist of dr. Inez Zwetsloot (ABS), dr. Simon Trimborn (ASE) and dr. Stevan Rudinac (ABS). What are you going to do?
What do we require? Formal requirements:
Task-related requirements:
Additional requirements:
Our offer The employment contract will be for four years with an initial period of 18 months, with an intermediate evaluation after 18 months and a possibility to extend it for 30 months (in total, four years). End-result should be a PhD thesis. An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) conferences. Preferred starting date is 1 September 2023. The gross monthly salary will range from €2,541 in the first year to €3,247 in the last year. The Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities is applicable. Additionally, the University of Amsterdam offers excellent benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:
The compensation package is competitive at the European level and includes several secondary benefits. Favorable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants. To learn more about working at the University of Amsterdam, please check this link and uva.nl/working-at-eb. What else do we offer?
About the employer About UvA About UvA Economics and Business
About the department The department of Business Analytics of the Amsterdam Business School focuses on research in a wide range of areas of business analytics, including artificial intelligence, digital business, statistics and operations research. The members of the department have published their research in the top-tier academic journals, such as Operations Research, Management Science, Mathematical Programming, Journal of Machine Learning Research. The members of the section are also involved in teaching in undergraduate, master, and research master level programs, as well as in executive education, and uphold strong relationships with industry, business, and public sectors. Our staff is associated with various research initiatives and platforms, e.g. the Analytics Academy, the brand new Analytics for a Better World initiative, the Institute of Business and Industrial Statistics (IBIS UvA). Questions Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact: Dr. Inez Zwetsloot (i.m.zwetsloot@uva.nl). Job application Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 1 May 2023. The application should include:
All documents should be combined and submitted as one pdf. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a job interview on an ongoing basis. They will be asked to submit additionally a sample of their research work (e.g., thesis proposal) and two reference letters. They will be asked to present their (thesis) research work. The closing date is 1st May 2023. The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity. No agencies please.
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