Deployment of LLMs for interpreting complex customer data for Marketing Insights.

Job Description
The PhD project leverages Language Models (LLMs) and social media data to conduct trend analysis, sentiment analysis, and integrate insights into executive data-driven decision-making models and dashboards in near real-time. It aims to explore consumer trends in the specified focus area using this integrated approach, utilizing the consumer's voice as an early warning system. The project seeks to establish a swift data flow for R&D, quality, and other teams to implement actionable measures.

Requirements
The candidate should:

• Hold a Master's degree in Marketing, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or another domain with a strong computational background and a genuine interest in LLMs.
• Have strong programming skills.
• Have a passion for interdisciplinary research.
• Be motivated to work independently and within a team.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Prior experience with machine learning, AI, and LLMs would be advantageous.

What we offer
As a Phd candidate at the School of Business and Economics, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary from € 2,872 in the first year to € 3,670 gross per month in the fourth year (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 18 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 2.5 years will follow (4 year PhD position).
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'.

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM.

The School of Business and Economics
The School of Business and Economics (SBE) is one of Maastricht University’s six faculties. Our mission is to contribute to a better world by addressing societal problems, by co-creating knowledge and developing team players and leaders for the future.

By joining SBE, you will be part of the 1% of business schools worldwide to be Triple Crown accredited (EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA). You will join an inspiring and international environment, where learning and development is priority.

Department
The department of Data Analytics and Digitalisation (DAD) connects data science (mathematics, statistics, computer science, artificial intelligence) with business and economics research (finance, accounting, marketing, information management, operations, micro- and macroeconomics, policy design). We are responsible for conducting top-level research in data science for business and economics ranging from fundamental theoretical studies to applied industrial projects.

Our department provides excellent education at all levels: undergraduate, postgraduate and professional. In our educational programs and courses we prepare the knowledge workers of the future who do understand the digitalising environment, who are able to critically assess the underlying model assumptions and existing business practices, and who do innovate continuously. We work together with various partners, like the Dept of Advanced Computing Sciences, Dept of Marketing, Brightlands Smart Services Campus, and external organisations and companies creating a strong regional and international data science cluster.

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact dept. chair Dr. Burak Can Dept. of Data Analytics and Digitalisation, at dataanalytics-sbe@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new PhD candidate? Apply now, no later than 30th of October, for this position.

Please upload your CV, motivation letter, grade list, contact information of 2 referees.

The first interviews preferably take place on the first week of November 2024. The second interviews will preferably be held on end of November 2024.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.