Junior AI-Researcher for the Centre for R&D Monitoring (ECOOM)

(ref. BAP-2021-748)

Laatst aangepast : 13/10/2021

The Centre for R&D Monitoring (ECOOM) is an interuniversity consortium of which one division is housed within the Faculty of Economics and Business at the KU Leuven. ECOOM develops a consistent system of R&D and Innovation (RD&I) indicators. These indicators are designed to assist the Flemish government in mapping and monitoring the RD&I efforts in Flanders. Within this context, ECOOM is the pre-eminent Flemish site for science, technology and innovation studies, and has become a prominent research centre with international visibility. More information on ECOOM’s activities can be found on our website.

Responsibilities

To support our research activities, we are currently looking for a junior AI-researcher to join the bibliometrics research group. We are looking for a full-time junior researcher (m/f) starting his/her contract in 2022 for an envisaged time period of at least two years. Within this period the candidate will have the opportunity to apply for additional PhD-funding.

You will participate in a new research project aimed at the introduction of network-based methods and applications in science, technology and innovation studies. This interdisciplinary project is positioned at the crossroads between several domains including information science, computer science, artificial intelligence, quantitative science and technology studies and social network analysis with strong implications for science policy. The underlying assumption is that capturing structural information on networks and neighborhoods in science and technology systems will enable us to development of new applications and to redefine existing indicators.

You are expected to collaborate in this project and develop, design and train new neural network models for graph embeddings. Based on the results and models from this first phase, you’ll be encouraged to apply for funding to obtain a PhD-degree in Business Economics at the KU Leuven. 

You will also have the chance to present your work regularly at international workshops and conferences, to publish research results in indexed journals and to attend summer schools and similar events.

Profile

• Although not restricted to these, you preferably have a background in Information Science, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, Business Economics or Business Engineering.
• You show particular interest in science-technology-relations and you have affinity with quantitative approaches towards science and technology studies, including relevant developments in the field of big data/machine learning.
• You should be able to show excellent (‘honors’-level) results in prior studies and be fluent in both spoken and written English.
• Knowledge of Dutch would be an advantage. Most importantly, you should share our unbridled enthusiasm for scientific research and have affinity with policy implications.

Offer

• A full-time position at KU Leuven for a fixed term of two years with flexible starting date.
• An internationally oriented research environment.
• The salary will be determined in accordance with the legal salary grade systems existing at KU Leuven.
• The possibility to start a PhD at the faculty of Business and Economics in the field of Quantitative Science Studies. 

Interested?

For more information please contact Mrs. Veronique Adriaenssens, tel.: +32 16 32 57 23, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. Bart Thijs, tel.: +32 16 32 57 26, mail: [email protected].

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at [email protected].