PhD Position on designing a recommender system for sustainable investments
We are looking for a highly motivated and creative Ph.D. candidate interested in developing and applying recommender systems that suggest investments in sustainable businesses. The ultimate goal is to map and evaluate sustainability metrics for investors and, based on this, develop a recommender system. The recommendations will be tailored for multiple user classes and accompanied by appropriate explanations and interpretations.
During the project, you will closely collaborate with industry and a doctoral training network spread throughout Europe, including extended research stays abroad.
The successful applicant will join the Industrial Engineering and Business Information Systems (IEBIS) section of the High-tech Business & Entrepreneurship Department (HBE) at the Faculty of Behavioural Management and Social Sciences (BMS).
Background
This Ph.D. position is one of four positions at the University of Twente in the context of the international Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions project DIGITAL. For the general description of DIGITAL and the Ph.D. positions, please check https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/178873
DIGITAL' main goal? To significantly advance the methodologies and business models for Digital Finance through the use of five interconnected research objectives https://www.digital-finance-msca.com/:
1. Ensure sufficient data quality to contribute to the EU's efforts of building a single digital market for data;
2. Address deployment issues of complex artificial intelligence models for real-world financial problems;
3. Validate the utility of state-of-the-art explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) algorithms to financial applications and extend existing frameworks;
4. Design risk management tools concerning the applications of Blockchain technology in Finance;
5. Simulate financial markets and evaluate products with a sustainability component.
This project closely relates to objectives 1, 2, 3, and 5, as we aim to provide a recommender system that improves data quality, applies sophisticated AI technologies to real-world financial scenarios, incorporates explainable AI to increase transparency and trust, and supports the simulation and evaluation of sustainable financial products. Through this, we contribute to the development of a digital single market for data within the EU, aligned with sustainable finance principles.
Recommender systems are well-known information filtering systems that suggest items most relevant to a user. Although recommender systems have been successful in many domains, there are presently none that suggest appropriate investments in sustainable technologies and businesses. This project will develop and deploy a recommender system to inform financial institutions and their clients about investments' sustainability and help to invest in sustainable businesses.
Modern recommender systems are generally a hybrid of content-based and collaborative-based filters through sophisticated algorithmic pipelines, using both item information and user information to get the best out of both worlds. In the financial domain, a key challenge for such hybrid architectures is to ensure regulatory compliance and eliminate potential bias.
The main objective of this research project is to develop a recommender system that applies filters based on both stock data and investor data to offer relevant, diversified, and targeted recommendations that will help propel sustainable investments. In doing so, it is imperative that the system follows regulations and prevents undesirable biases.
Information and application
Are you interested in being part of our team? Please submit your application, and include:
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, and motivations to apply for this position;
- A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and, if applicable, a list of publications and references;
- An IELTS-test, Internet TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT), or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE). Applicants with a non-Dutch qualification and who have not had secondary and tertiary education in English can only be admitted with an IELTS-test showing a total band score of at least 6.5, internet. TOEFL test (TOEFL-iBT) showing a score of at least 90, or a Cambridge CAE-C (CPE).
Please ensure that your application is submitted by the deadline and note that we will start conducting interviews on a rolling basis; however, the application deadline is July 31. Do not make submissions via e-mail as they will not be considered.
Additional information can be acquired via email from dr. Wouter van Heeswijk (w.j.a.vanheeswijk@utwente.nl) and dr. Marcos Machado (m.r.machado@utwente.nl), with a cc to dr. Jorg R. Osterrieder (jorg.osterrieder@utwente.nl).
About the department
The HBE cluster is dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive working culture. Our aim is that all job applicants are given equal opportunities. When we select candidates for employment, it will be on the basis of their competence and ability. To support the workforce diversity, we are open to offer flexible working conditions on an individual basis to support work-life balance, that may include contract of employment, working hours and location, or child care arrangements.
Please have a look at this video to learn about our wider HBE department: The High Business Entrepreneurship corporate video can be watched via this link
About the organisation
The Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social sciences (BMS) aims to play a key role in understanding, jointly developing and evaluating innovations in society. Technological developments are the engine of innovation. As a technical university that puts people first, we tailor them to human needs and behavior and use social engineering to integrate them into society. We also ensure adequate governance at public and private level, and robust, inclusive and fair organizational structures. We do this by developing, sharing and applying high-quality knowledge in Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences and Health Sciences. Our research and education in these disciplines revolves around tackling and solving societal challenges. The research programs of BMS are closely linked to the research of the UT institutes Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.
As an employer, the Faculty of BMS offers work that matters. We equip you to create new possibilities for yourself and for our society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial atmosphere, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example through our flexible, adaptable benefits.
Want to know more?
