Doctoral Student in Operational Decision Making with Data Science

About the role

The Decision Sciences and Analytics group at ETH Zurich, led by Prof. Tu Ni, is looking for a doctoral student to study operational decision making with data science. The research develops experimental and causal methods for evaluating new products, policies and technologies in modern organizational settings. It is mainly theoretical, with several industrial applications in online marketplaces.

Key responsibilities

• Develop new methods for experimental and causal evaluation that are relevant in real business.
• Write high-quality papers and publish on top-tier operations management journals.
• Work with industrial partners on implementing the methods if needed.
• Develop your own research questions within the broader topic of data-driven decision making.
• Contribute to light tasks such as teaching and lab activities.

Required profile

• A Master's degree in statistics, operations, economics or a closely related field, held or completed by the time of appointment.
• Excellent academic record and motivation to produce high-quality, policy-relevant research.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with real A/B testing is a plus.

Required skills

• Excellent quantitative skills: statistics, optimization, stochastic modeling, etc.

What we offer

• Starting date is negotiable; the position is initially offered for 18 months, with the prospect of extension to a four- to five-year doctorate depending on progress.
• Gross salary in line with ETH Zurich regulations.
• A high-quality PhD at a renowned institution in a dynamic, collaborative research environment.

Applications must be submitted online through the university's application portal, with a one-page letter of motivation, a CV, a complete academic record and contact details of at least two references.