[ecrea] PhD position “Novel business models based on innovations in the Internet of Things”

  PhD position “Novel business models based on innovations in the
  Internet of Things”

The ICT domain is characterized by constant technology innovations, 
leading to novel opportunities in different application domains. 
Examples are the growing number of connected physical devices in the 
Internet of Things (IoT), the next generation of cellular technology 
(5G), novel network paradigms enabling programmatic allocation of 
virtualized network resources (SDN and NFV), etc.

These evolutions will have a drastic impact on the ICT market and the 
business models for different actors involved. 5G will decrease 
maintenance costs of the IoT solutions, specifically by reducing power 
consumption and allowing longer battery life. SDN and NFV will change 
the service offering landscape by providing the technology that enables 
new business models for network and service providers: more usage-based 
charging models, more granularity in the service capabilities, etc. and 
will hence challenge the business models of current players (e.g. 
service-specific hardware vendors), and might require a change in the 
“rules of the game” set out by regulation and policy makers.

Clearly, these evolutions lead to a wide range of novel research 
challenges. We are therefore looking for a PhD candidate who is able to 
bring together technical and economic knowledge. We are particularly 
looking for someone who combines an economic background with a profound 
interest in the ICT domain and its changing ecosystem.

The techno-economic research unit offering this position brings together 
researchers with a technical and a business background (our researchers 
have a degree in engineering or economics), and is itself part of the 
engineering faculty of Ghent University and the research institute imec, 
the high-tech research and innovation hub for nanoelectronics and 
digital technologies in Flanders.

Our work is focusing on the academic as well as the industry community 
and it allows researchers to work with important players in the field of 
ICT and telecoms, giving them a valuable insight in technology and 
market. Previous industry partners include big companies such as 
Ericsson, Telefonica, Telecom Italia, ADVA, Nokia, Proximus, Deutsche 
Telekom, Telenet; small and medium sized enterprises such as Androme, 
Be-Mobile, Comsof, DigiPolis, OneAccess, Televic, ZapFi; as well as 
organizations and institutions like De Lijn, city of Ghent, TMVW, 
different hospitals, etc. From an academic perspective, we collaborate 
with important academic institutions (TUM in Munich, KTH in Stockholm, 
TUDelft in Delft, UPF in Barcelona, etc.), collaborating in joint 
research and exchanging ideas in international conferences.


  Job description

You perform techno-economic research in the domain of ICT networks and 
services.

  * You study novel networking concepts as well as their
    economic,business and policy impact.
  * You are involved in research projects with different Belgian and/or
    international partners. Potential project topics include application
    domains of the Internet-of-Things and other timely network
    deployments, like smart cities, smart care, smart factory and smart
    mobility. Also big data challenges will be important.
  * You acquire an elaborate knowledge of het ICT sector on-the-job, via
    literature study of scientific publications as well as via meetings
    with colleagues from the department and external partners. Finally,
    where relevant, you follow specific courses in the faculty of
    engineering.
  * You model and evaluate individual actors’ business models as well as
    how actors’ decisions influence each other. This includes modelling
    on a conceptual level using different relevant methodologies like
    investment analysis, real options, game theory and others.
  * You implement the theoretic concepts using relevant tools, like
    spreadsheet models, statistic analytics software or develop your own
    simulation or evaluation tools e.g. in a Java-based software
    environment.
  * You publish and present results both at international conferences
    and in scientific journals.


  Your profile

We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications and skills.

  * Holder of a Master degree in Economics or Business Engineering
    (economische wetenschappen, toegepaste economische wetenschappen,
    handelsingenieur), with a strong interest in ICT and telecoms.
  * You have strong analytical skills for designing models and analyzing
    research results.
  * You work independently, have a strong feeling of responsibility and
    are able to commit to timing and milestones set forward by different
    research projects.
  * You are a team player and have strong communication skills.
  * You have proven programming experience using an object-oriented
    programming language (preferably Java), e.g., substantial part of
    master thesis or large student projects involved programming.
  * Good knowledge of English (oral and written) is a must. Any
    knowledge of Dutch (oral) is a plus.


  Our offer


  We offer a challenging, stimulating, young and pleasant research
  environment where you can contribute to solving real-life problems for
  technological innovations with a clear societal as well as economic
  value. The work is done in close collaboration with ICT and telecom
  industry players in Flanders and Europe. We foresee a competitive
  remuneration and the possibility to obtain a PhD degree in Engineering.

Note that this position is not open for post-docs.


  More information

This job is offered within the techno-economic research unit at IBCN 
http://www.technoeconomics.ugent.be/. This group belongs to IDLAB at 
Ghent University - imec http://www.ugent.be/ea/idlab/en/research, 
http://idlab.technology/.


  Contact

If you are interested in this job opening and your profile corresponds 
to the description above, please send your resume as well as a 
motivational letter indicating your interest and skills in both ICT and 
economics or business engineering as soon as possible to prof. Sofie 
Verbrugge.

Ghent University/imec - IDLAB

(sofie.verbrugge /at/ intec.ugent.be)


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