Research - Business
Fully funded PhD Studentship
School of Business & Economics - Loughborough University
IS OPERATIONAL RESEARCH IN UK UNIVERSITIES FIT-FOR-PURPOSE FOR THE DEVELOPING FIELD OF ANALYTICS?
This is an exciting opportunity to undertake research into the developing field of analytics and its relationship with the established fields of operational research and information systems. The studentship is part funded by the Operational Research Society. The School of Business and Economics at Loughborough University invites applications for the above PhD Studentship starting in October 2012.
The Studentship is open to home/EU and international/overseas students. It will run for 3 years and it includes:
- A fee waiver equivalent to the home/EU rate*
- A stipend of £13,590 p.a. for three years and
- Research travel costs up to £5,000
* Please note that international/overseas students will be required to find funding to cover the difference between home/EU fees.
We are looking for candidates that demonstrate outstanding qualities and motivation to complete a PhD in 3 years. All candidates must have an Honours degree equivalent to British 2:1 minimum in a subject relevant to Operational Research/Management Science/Information Systems and preferentially have a relevant Master’s degree. For candidates for whom English is not their first language, an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum or a TOEFL score of 600 minimum, is essential.
In addition to satisfying basic entry criteria, the qualities, skills and background of each candidate will be taken into consideration. The student will be expected to undertake travel for interviews and data collection.
Candidates are requested to submit:
- An application form
- A curriculum vitae
- A covering letter explaining your interest in, and aptitude for, the research project explained in the short summary below
- A 2,000 word research proposal based on the topic of the research project. This will be used to assess the students’ capability as a PhD researcher.
- Two academic references.
About the project:
In recent years analytics has entered the mainstream of corporate life. Fuelled by burgeoning data and readily available analytical tools, organisations are seeking to make better use of the information available to them. Consultancies and software providers alike are aligning themselves with the field of analytics.
Meanwhile, OR groups in universities have identified synergies between OR and analytics, launching, for instance, Masters courses in analytics. In a similar vein, OR Societies (e.g. the OR Society and INFORMS) have started to exploit these synergies.
What remains unclear is the extent to which OR groups in universities are in a position to fully exploit the opportunities afforded by analytics. For instance, most of the Masters courses in analytics are effectively rebadged OR Masters. Do these courses really provide the breadth and depth of training needed for a career in analytics? In terms of research, there is not an established field of analytics as evidenced by a lack of funding routes, academic conferences or publications.
The aim of this project is to understand the extent to which the provision of analytics courses and research in UK universities currently meets the needs of the growing field of analytics, and to identify gaps in the provision. Specific recommendations will be given on how university OR groups might better meet the needs of the analytics field. Because analytics spans both OR and information systems, this work will focus on the roles of both fields.
Supervisory team:
Professor Neil Doherty and Professor Stewart Robinson
How to apply
For enquiries and details on how to apply please contact:
Tracey Preston
01509 228276
phdinbusiness@lboro.ac.uk
Please quote SBE-ANALYTICS12 on your application
Studentship application deadline: 7th September 2012
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, foreseen to take place soon after the closing date for applications.
For further details please contact: Professor Neil Doherty (n.f.doherty@lboro.ac.uk) or Professor Stewart Robinson (s.l.robinson@lboro.ac.uk).
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