PhD Researcher in AI-Driven Employee-Customer Relationship Management

Four-year doctoral position combining rigorous academic research with real-world business impact in AI and data analytics for the service sector.

Best for:Best for business-oriented data scientists with a master's degree, strong Python and SQL skills, and a passion for translating AI research into real-world business value.

Vlerick Business School · Brussels, Belgium · R1 · First-stage researcher

More professors at Vlerick Business School

Employee-customer relationship managementMachine learning for business processesGenerative AI and workflow automationPredictive modeling and AI agentsData-driven decision making

Deadline

Until filled

rolling

Funding

Salaried

Salary in line with Ghent University scales (see link provided)

Start date

flexible

Full-time

Location

Brussels

Belgium

Overview

This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to conduct a four-year research project at the intersection of data analytics, machine learning, and business strategy. The role is jointly hosted by Vlerick Business School and Glowi, a Belgian service-sector innovator, focusing on employee-customer relationship management in the cleaning services industry. The successful candidate will develop and deploy AI-driven solutions to enhance business processes, while contributing to academic publications and industry reports. The position emphasizes both theoretical rigor and practical application, with the candidate expected to bridge academic insights and business needs through collaborative research and stakeholder engagement.

PhDAIdata analyticsbusiness intelligencemachine learningPythonSQLservice sector

What you'll do

Complete a four-year PhD program focused on data analytics and AI in the service sector.
Conduct academic and applied research, including data collection, modeling, and AI agent development.
Develop predictive models and AI-driven solutions operationalized within Glowi’s business processes.
Design and evaluate generative AI-supported workflows and AI agents embedded in existing processes.
Collaborate with faculty, researchers, and business stakeholders to improve key business KPIs.
Disseminate research findings through academic papers, reports, workshops, and presentations for both academic and business audiences.
Work with client and employee data from Glowi to generate actionable insights.
Support the activities of the research area at Vlerick Business School.

Requirements

Degree required: Master’s degree in business analytics, business engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, business administration, economics, computer science, civil engineering, statistics, mathematics, or equivalent.

Degree offered: PhD

Language: Dutch and English; excellent writing skills required

Instruction: English and Dutch

Required skills

Proficiency in Python and SQL
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Excellent communication skills for stakeholder engagement
Research mindset with a focus on academic rigor
Ability to work independently and take initiative

Nice to have

Experience with Microsoft Fabric and AzureFamiliarity with generative AI and reinforcement learningPrior experience in business analytics or data-driven decision makingProficiency in Dutch and English

Eligibility

Master’s degree or equivalent required
Excellent academic record (distinctions at bachelor’s and master’s levels)

Funding & terms

Type

Salaried

Amount

Salary in line with Ghent University scales (see link provided)

Duration

4 years

Programme

Vlerick Business School in collaboration with Glowi

How to apply

Submit a resume, motivation letter, and transcripts from both bachelor’s and master’s degrees via the provided application portal. Include TOEFL/IELTS and GRE scores if available. For inquiries, contact Philippe Baecke or Charlotte Mahieu.

Documents required