PhD Position in Financial Modelling for Sustainability

We are looking for a highly motivated and creative Ph.D. candidate interested in designing and applying different AI and econometric models to support the understanding and enhance the financial resilience of businesses involved in circular economy settings and their operational and financial supply chains. A circular economy aims to eliminate waste by endorsing a continuous loop of resource use, challenging the traditional "take-make-dispose" paradigm, thereby promoting sustainability and resource efficiency. Financial resilience, on the other hand, pertains to the capability of entities to withstand adverse financial situations, ensuring stability during economic uncertainties. When applied within a circular economy framework, operational and financial adjustments to the supply chain optimize resource management and financial flows. This ensures reduced waste cost stability and positions businesses favorably against regulatory changes, enhancing overall business competitiveness and adaptability. The ultimate goal of the Ph.D. candidate is to determine how financial models should be used to grow to understand business value and their risk while proposing solutions to companies in circular economy settings to strengthen their financial resilience, enabling an improved operational and financial supply chain with improved access to investment and credit, which in turn will foster sustainable economic growth.

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).

In both industry and academia, the transition to a circular economy—focused on sustainability and efficient resource utilization by challenging the traditional "take-make-dispose" model—is becoming paramount. Yet, a significant complication arises in understanding and bolstering the financial resilience of businesses within this framework, especially concerning their operational and financial supply chains. While the circular approach promises reduced waste, cost stability, and strategic positioning amidst regulatory shifts, there's a pressing need to determine how financial models can elucidate and measure business value and assess their risk levels. The primary focus of this research is to develop artificial intelligence (AI) and econometric models that can provide support to enterprises operating within the circular economy. The objective of these models is to facilitate a comprehensible evaluation of customer value and risk, thereby boosting the financial resilience of firms and to investigate how circularity can improve the global and complex supply chain of critical raw materials from both financial and operational perspective. This, in turn, can lead to improved operational supply chains, increased accessibility to investment and credit, and eventually contribute to sustainable economic growth. Are you interested in supporting the financial industry's efforts to promote fairness by improving risk assessment and customer valuation methods, as well as enhancing the operational and financial supply chain of enterprises in circular economy settings while promoting sustainability practises? If so, this position might be the perfect fit for you!

Your profile

We look for a highly motivated, enthusiastic researcher who is driven by curiosity and has/is:

Master's degree or equivalent in Business Analytics/Finance, Information Technology, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or related field;

Knowledge and interest in business and financial models and resilience, finance for sustainability, circular economy, information systems, supply chain, and industrial symbiosis;

A strong quantitative background and is experienced with quantitative analytics techniques, in particular data science and prescriptive analytics;

Motivation to work on sustainability challenges and renewable energy systems - Prior experience on these subjects is a plus;

Proficiency in coding with a language like Python, Matlab, C , Java, or similar is a plus;

Excellent teammate in an enthusiastic and hardworking group of scientists. You like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment;

Able to do independent research and willing to develop writing and publication skills;

Possess good communication skills and an excellent command of English.

Our offer

We encourage high responsibility and independence, while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff and partners. We follow the terms of employment by the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO). Our offer contains: a fulltime 4-year PhD position with a qualifier in the first year; excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities; and a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. It also includes:

Gross monthly salary of € 2.770 in the first year, increasing each year up to € 3.539 in the fourth year;

Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;

29 holidays per year in case of full-time employment;

A training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;

A green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community;

A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);

A full status as an employee at the UT, including pension, health care benefits and good secondary conditions are part of our collective labour agreement CAO-NU for Dutch universities.

Information and application

Are you interested to be part of our team? Please submit your application before November 23rd and include:

Cover letter of at most 1.5 page A4, explaining specific interests, the motivation for the application, and why your fit to this project;

An academic transcript of BSc and MSc education, including grades;

Full Curriculum Vitae, contact information for at least two academic references, and if applicable, a list of publications;

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).

If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you can get in touch with dr. M.R. Machado (m.r.mac[email protected]) and cc dr. Devrim Yazan ([email protected]).

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.

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? Machado, M.R. (Marcos)

Assistant Professor

Machado, M.R. (Marcos)

Assistant Professor

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Marcos for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.

Contact

Phone:+31534899045

Email:[email protected]

How to apply Step 1

Apply. When you see a vacancy that appeals to you, you can apply online. We ask you to upload a CV and motivation letter and/or list of publications. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by e-mail.

Step 2

Selection. The selection committee will review your application and you will receive a response within 2 weeks after the vacancy has been closed.

Step 3

1st interview. The 1st (online or in person) meeting serves as an introduction where we introduce ourselves to you and you to us. You may be asked to give a short presentation. This will be further explained in the invitation.

Step 4

2nd interview. In the second interview, we will further discuss the job content, your skills and your talents.

Step 5

The offer. If the conversations are positive, you will be made a suitable offer.

Your Colleagues

Yazan, D.M. (Devrim)

Personal page

Spierdijk, L. (Laura)

Personal page

Mes, M.R.K. (Martijn)

Personal page LinkedIn

Our mission Human Touch

At the UT it's all about people, in line with our university's High Tech Human Touch philosophy. In everything we do, the well-being and future of our students and staff are paramount. From research and teaching to personnel management, campus management and the use of new technologies.

Our mission We are a university of technology

Our university is a public institution that serves society. We are accountable to society for the ways in which we use our academic freedom. We are responsible for ensuring that the power of science and technology is harnessed to achieve the best possible impact in a changing world. We cherish our rich tradition of combining technical and social sciences in our five profiling themes: Improving healthcare by personalized technologies; Creating intelligent manufacturing systems; Shaping our world with smart materials; Engineering our digital society; and Engineering for a resilient world.

Our mission We help to strengthen society

We help society meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. But we are also transparent about what science and technology can and cannot do in finding sustainable solutions. And help translate these solutions into everyday life.

Our mission We are sustainable

We want our communities to flourish and show resilience, so we seize opportunities for innovation. We are knowledgeable and have an eye for what society needs. Our students and staff receive all the guidance they need in their quest for ecological, social and economic sustainability. “The University of Twente is all about people. Our sustainable technologies help to strengthen society.”

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