Early Stage Researcher (ESR)

8 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Babes-Bolyai University

Research Field

Economics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Romania

Application Deadline

17 May 2024 - 16:00 (Europe/Bucharest)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE / MSCA

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Position available within the research project entitled: “Digital Finance - Reaching New Frontiers (DIGITAL)”, project number101119635 through the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions for Doctoral Networks (MSCA DN)

Offer Description*: We are looking for a highly motivated and creative Ph.D. candidate interested in both text mining and natural language processing, and Finance. Lately, and with the increasing usage of social platforms, textual analysis has increased in importance as it may bring significant information in the predicting process. As information is key in financial markets, we seek to assess how text mining can be used in predicting financial trends. This Ph.D. project aims to use free text from different sources, processed with the help of AI techniques, to predict fiscal fraudulent behaviour, credit risk, or non-compliance. 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 Dep. of Statistics, Forecasts, Mathematics, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Babes-Bolyai University.

Background 

This Ph.D. position is the one at the Babes-Bolyai University in the context of the international Marie  Skłodowska-Curie Actions project DIGITAL. For the general description of DIGITAL and the Ph.D. positions, please check https://www.digital-finance-msca.com/ .  

DIGITAL's 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/:  

Ensure sufficient data quality to contribute to the EU's efforts of building a single digital market for data 

Address deployment issues of complex artificial intelligence models for real-world financial problems 

Validate the utility of state-of-the-art explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) algorithms to financial applications and extend existing frameworks 

Design risk management tools concerning the applications of the Blockchain technology in Finance 

Simulate financial markets and evaluate products with a sustainability component 

The description here focuses on the specific position " Predicting financial trends using text mining and NLP (IRP 13)" (mainly included in objective 1 – WP1), outlining the project's key takeaways and desired skillset of prospective candidates. 

 The challenge 

Within this IRP, you will have to come up with innovative ideas and research on how text mining and NLP can be used to enhance the performance of financial prediction. Free text hides attitudes, believes and reactions that may add significant information in the forecasting process. One interesting challenge of this IRP is to construct attitudinal indices based on free text and incorporating them into behavioural models, along with other qualitative or quantitative factors, in order to predict the likelihood of system fraud or the level of risk associated with accreditation.

Among the expected results, we mention: constructing large databases that provide both qualitative and quantitative data for use in the development of AI algorithms for both public and private entities (prediction of tax fraud) (banks, FinTechs offering credit services, etc.); using text mining and NLP, evaluate the viability of various models that could predict the risk of fraudulent behaviour in the financial sector; utilisation of these models in both the public sector (public policy formulation) and the private sector (help banks and FinTechs in credit scoring).

How to apply 

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 academic record with scan of the degree qualifications (Documents proving your educational level and field of study)
• A research project proposal for the IRP topic
• A copy of your passport/ID
• A self-declaration that the candidate has not resided/worked in Romania for 12 months during the last 3 years. 

Please ensure that your complete application is submitted by the deadline of 17.05.2024 to the indicated e-mail address  [email protected] .

Applications will be evaluated between 20.05.2024 – 24.05.2024. Applicants that obtain at least the grade of 7 in the evaluation phase will proceed to the interview phase in the period of 27.05.2024 – 31.05.2024.

ESR shall not have resided or carried out his or her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Romania for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date.

Additionally, please pay attention that you will have to go through the official admission process of the Babes-Bolyai University that you can find here: https://doctorat.ubbcluj.ro/eng/important-dates/

Additional information can be acquired via email from the PhD supervisor Prof. Codruta MARE ([email protected] ) with a cc to Prof. Jorg R. Osterrieder

( [email protected] ).  

  About the department 

The Dep. of Statistics, Forecasts, Mathematics of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the Babes-Bolyai University is a dynamic department responsible for teaching courses in Mathematics, Statistics and Econometrics at all tertiary levels, from bachelor to PhD within the university. The department is managing the bachelor, master and PhD programs in Statistics, Econometrics and Economic Forecasting. Members of the department have international PhD diplomas and long-term cooperations with researchers in the field around the world. Important consultancy services are provided by the department members to the business environment.  

About the organization 

The Babes-Bolyai University is the oldest and largest Romanian university, with an important tradition in both teaching and research. Students of the university take advantage not only of the high-level educational process, but also of the significant cultural diversity given by the 21 faculties that offer study programs in 5 languages. It is the most performant Romanian university according to international metarankings. It is a member of different international consortia like GUILD or Eutopia.

Requirements

Research Field

Economics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business, Economics, Engineering, Information Technology, Computational Science or related fields; 
• A strong passion and outstanding skills in data science and experience working with programming languages and statistical software such as Python, R, Stata or SAS; 
• Knowledge on quantitative modelling of financial markets or in economics, econometric techniques, machine learning or quantitative empirical research methods; 
• The ability to work on real-world problems in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment; 
• Good communication skills and an excellent command of English. 

Specific Requirements

• Good programming skills. Experience with machine learning libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Jax) is helpful. 
• A sound econometrics background.
• Good understanding of text mining/ NLP issues.
• Good Finance knowledge.

Interested and motivated candidates are encouraged to apply, even when not yet possessing all desired skills. Through self-driven learning and doctoral training, you will be able to develop relevant skills on the job.  

  

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Economics

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information
Benefits

Our offer 

As a PhD student, you will have the opportunity to work in a diverse environment, strongly connected to the business sector.  Your main benefits:

• very attractive salary plus an allowances package in accordance with the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) rules and the personal circumstances of the applicant.
• Work on AI in the “Silicon Valey” City of Eastern Europe, Cluj-Napoca.
• Get the PhD diploma in the oldest, largest and most performant Romanian university.
• This PhD position includes two research stays at industrial partners: Raiffeisen Bank International, Vienna, Austria, and the European Central Bank (ECB), as described here: https://www.digital-finance-msca.com/predicting-financial-trends .

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must have a 2-year master's degree (120 ECTS)

Master’s degree in Business/Economics/Engineering/Information Technology/Computational Science or related fields and very good programming skills.

Must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Romania, for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately preceding the date of recruitment;

Must have strong written and oral communication skills in English.

Should be in the first four years of their research careers at the time of recruitment and have not been awarded a doctoral degree so far.

Selection process

https://www.ubbcluj.ro/ro/infoubb/posturi_vacante/files/cercetare/2024/255/anunt.pdf

https://www.ubbcluj.ro/ro/infoubb/posturi_vacante/files/cercetare/2024/255/anunt_en.pdf

https://www.ubbcluj.ro/ro/infoubb/posturi_vacante/files/cercetare/2024/255/tematica.pdf

 

The evaluation and selection procedure is organized in 3 steps:

STEP 1: ELIGIBILITY CHECK – by 20.05.2024.

Candidates must apply through the indicated e-mail address [email protected] , submitting the following:

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 academic record with scan of the degree qualifications (Documents proving your educational level and field of study)

A research project proposal for the IRP topic

A copy of your passport/ID

A self-declaration that the candidate has not resided/worked in Romania for 12 months during the last 3 years.

 

STEP 2: EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT PROPOSAL – 20.05.2024 – 24.05.2024

The evaluation committee will evaluate and grade the research project proposals and the CVs of the candidates.

STEP 3: INTERVIEW: 27.05.2024 – 31.05.2024

Applicants that obtain at least the grade of 7 in the evaluation phase will proceed to the interview phase that will be scheduled in the dedicated week.

Babes-Bolyai University is an equal opportunities employer, committed to promoting equality, diversity and fairness irrespective of age, disability, gender, pregnancy or marital status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or gender identity. We welcome applications from currently underrepresented groups and will ensure that equal opportunities are guaranteed to each applicant during the selection procedure.            

! The contract as a researcher will be signed on October 1st 2024 under the condition that the PhD student is admitted in the PhD Program in September!

The admission to the PhD Program will take place at the beginning of September and will consist from a written exam based on a few bibliographic sources and an interview for the presentation of the research project proposal.

Before admission, the candidate needs to have her/his diplomas recognized by the Romanian state. Details here: https://doctorat.ubbcluj.ro/eng/documents-required-when-registering-for-the-admission-contest/#citizens-non-ue  

Additional comments

Additional information can be obtained at https://www.digital-finance-msca.com/ or [email protected] with CC to [email protected]

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Faculty of Economics and Business Administration/ Statistics, Forecasts, Mathematics/ Doctoral School in Economics and Business Administration

Country

Romania

City

Cluj-Napoca

Street

Teodor Mihali 58-60

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Cluj-Napoca

Website

http://www.ubbcluj.ro/

Street

St. M. Kogalniceanu nr. 1

Postal Code

400084

STATUS: EXPIRED