The two-year postdoc position at Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) is part of a larger consortium of 30 partner organisations, including several industry partners, within SEISMEC (Supporting European Industry Success Maximisation through Empowerment Centred development), a project funded by Horizon Europe.

Project overview
SEISMEC, funded by the European Commission in a grant of 10 million euros, is a pioneering interdisciplinary project led by Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR), in collaboration with a multinational consortium. The project's duration is four years, and it focuses on revolutionising workspaces and empowering workers across major European industries in the post-pandemic era.

Research goals and approach
The core objective is to create sustainable, human-centric work environments that integrate new technologies with humanistic practices. SEISMEC aims to:

• Develop insights for enhancing employee well-being and fulfilment within the technological landscape.
• Conduct multiple pilots across various industrial ecosystems within the European Single Market, emphasising human centricity.
• Address challenges posed by advanced workplace technologies.
• Foster innovation through evidence-based recommendations.

Project impact
SEISMEC aspires to lead European industries towards more people-focused approaches, emphasising the following:

• Worker empowerment and well-being.
• Collaborative innovation between companies and researchers.
• Consideration of the societal impacts of AI advancements.
• Building connections between workers, policymakers and research initiatives.

Job description
As our dedicated post-doc in management, you will work on a study that aims to explore and mitigate biases in freelance marketplaces. For the purpose of this study, you are provided with data directly by a prominent European freelance marketplace.

Motivation for the study:
Freelance marketplaces, offering remote work opportunities on a task-by-task basis, can be rife with biases, both explicit and implicit. One common bias is based on geographical location, where clients might prefer freelancers from certain countries or regions, while overlooking equally qualified candidates from other areas. Another bias can be related to age or gender, where clients might assume that younger or older freelancers or those of a particular gender are less capable or less experienced. Additionally, biases can be based on the freelancer's portfolio, the client's preconceived notions about the freelancer's abilities, or even the language of the freelancer. These biases can negatively impact the opportunities available to freelancers and limit their potential for success in the marketplace.

The amount of data that is collected by freelance marketplaces presents an opportunity to identify these biases and find ways to mitigate them. This can create an inclusive environment where everyone has an opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background, age, gender, beliefs or location.

This pilot programme aims to develop a model whereby machine learning is used to (1) identify existing biases; and (2) implement a system whereby such biases are mitigated. In particular, by conducting an analysis of click-through rate, reviews, and prediction of the likelihood a certain freelancer will be selected, we can identify where biases lie. For example, previous research pointed out that new freelancers without an established online reputation could find it difficult to get an assignment. One mitigation strategy would be for a marketplace to feature their offline reviews, earned in previous jobs, which could boost their chances of online labour market integration.

Key objectives:

• Identify existing biases in freelance marketplaces
• Help freelancers with assignment opportunities by testing ways to mitigate pre-identified biases
• Ensure inclusivity and equal opportunities in freelance marketplaces

Together with a team of researchers, including the industry partner, we expect you to design the study, analyse the data and work towards having the results published in a top-tier business journal.

This post-doctoral project contributes significantly to the SEISMEC initiative to leverage academic expertise to help shape the future of European work environments.

We require the following from you:

• You have completed your PhD in management or a related field or expect to complete it by autumn 2024
• You have a strong analytical background and knowledge of quantitative methods and, more specifically, machine learning methods
• You have a strong research interest in platforms, job matching and freelance marketplaces
• You can demonstrate your potential for excellence in research, i.e., show your contribution to publications or submissions in high-ranking journals
• You’re an inspired, ambitious and competent researcher
• You possess a strong commitment to high-quality research
• You have strong English language skills, both written and spoken
• You value research with practical relevance that is impactful to academics and practitioners alike

The conditions of employment comply with the collective labour agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU). Favourable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants. Erasmus University Rotterdam has attractive employment conditions, which include a holiday allowance of 8 per cent, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3 per cent, and a generous number of vacation days.

Erasmus University Rotterdam

We offer you:

• A strong research environment; a young, enthusiastic and prolific research group
• Research budget that covers conference participation, data collection and research assistance
• High-level research support
• The collective labour agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU), which complies with our conditions of employment
• Attractive employment conditions, which include a holiday allowance of 8 percent, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3 percent and a generous number of vacation days

Please note that substantial tax benefits apply to non-Dutch citizens, conditional to permission granted by the Dutch Tax Office.

Our team is diverse; we welcome candidates of all genders, ethnicities, and nationalities.

Discover more information here:

• The Business Information Management section at RSM
• The research environment at RSM
• Salary and benefits

Faculty / Institute / Central service
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) is one of Europe’s top-ranked business schools. RSM provides ground-breaking research and education furthering excellence in all aspects of management and is based in the international port city of Rotterdam – a vital nexus of business, logistics and trade. RSM’s primary focus is on developing business leaders with international careers who can become a force for positive change by carrying their innovative mindset into a sustainable future. Our first-class range of bachelor, master, MBA, PhD and executive programmes encourage them to become critical, creative, caring and collaborative thinkers and doers. Study information and activities for future students, executives and alumni are also organised from the RSM office in Chengdu, China. www.rsm.nl

RSM is an equal opportunity employer and explicitly encourages applications from candidates of all genders, ethnicities, and nationalities.

Business Information Management (BIM) explores the use and impact of information ‒ and information systems ‒ as a strategic asset for customers, firms, supply chains, business networks, and markets. It investigates the opportunities presented by new information technologies such as mobile platforms, cloud computing, business analytics and social media. At Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), BIM is part of the teaching and research activities in the Technology and Operations Management department.

Find out more:

https://www.rsm.nl/faculty-research/departments/technology-and-operations-management/business-information-management/