Project: Artificial Intelligence and Patterns of Influence in the Arts and Entertainment Industries

Are you interested in studying the arts and entertainment industries at the cross-section of business and computer science? The Entrepreneurship and Innovation section at the Amsterdam Business School of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) invites applications for a PhD position in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation department. We are looking for talented PhD candidates with the ambition to work and succeed at the highest international academic level.

Project description

The arts and entertainment sectors, part of the creative and cultural industries, are characterized by a complex web of patterns of influence. These influence patterns can take many forms, such as the transfer of ideas and techniques between different (artistic) disciplines, the adoption of (aesthetic) styles and trends by different artists and organizations, and the flow of resources and funding between different sectors. One of the key ways in which influence operates is through the fashioning, dissemination, and adoption of creative ideas. This means that influence relations are often characterized by a high degree of cross-pollination, with ideas and trends flowing freely between different sectors or disciplines. By examining the influence patterns between different cultural and creative disciplines - the data can take the form of text, static images, and/or video - we can better understand the mechanisms that drive the flow of ideas and techniques across diverse domains and identify the (key) drivers of innovation within and across sectors. For instance, directors and writers in the movie/TV industry may borrow elements from other films, art, or books to create new and original stories. Similarly, in the music industry, artists and musicians may draw inspiration from a wide range of sources, including other genres of music, art forms, and even technology. Blending different styles and influences can create new and innovative works and/or expand upon existing artistic traditions. Overall, the patterns of influence within the arts and entertainment industries are intricate, with new trends and styles emerging all the time. By studying these influence patterns, we can understand the factors that drive innovation and success within these industries, which may provide greater insights into how these factors can be harnessed to support entrepreneurship and growth. In addition, studying the influence relations can also shed light on the broader sociocultural forces that shape these industries, such as the role of entrepreneurs, cultural institutions, and commercial enterprises, the impact of technological innovation, and the influence of global trends and market forces.

This interdisciplinary project aims to better understand the factors that can explain innovation and entrepreneurial projects' success (and failures) by applying advanced computational machine learning approaches.

During your PhD, you will be trained to conduct quantitative empirical research aimed at advancing business and computer science research in top-tier academic journals and conferences. You will also be a member of a newly formed research lab: the Creative Industries (CI) Lab. As a member of the CI Lab within the Entrepreneurship and Innovation department, you will benefit from, and contribute to, the research agenda, networks, initiatives, resources, and the collegial environment in that Lab, as well as have the liberty to join one or more ongoing research projects carried out by members of our department.

What are you going to do?

• Develop novel multimodal deep learning approaches informed by the relevant business theories;
• Present research findings at prestigious business and computer science conferences and journals;
• Pursue and complete a PhD thesis within the appointed duration of four years;
• Attend classes and seminars (including those offered at other universities) to develop thinking and research skills further;
• Participate in and contribute to departmental research functions (PhD Day, research seminars, and research meetings);
• Assist in relevant teaching and knowledge dissemination activities.

What do we require?

• Master’s degree in economics or business administration (with a strong background in computer science/AI skills, as evidenced by specific courses) or computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, mathematics, or a related discipline (expected to finish by September 2023);
• Eager to test business science theories with large-scale real-world data;
• Keen interest in multimedia, computer vision, information retrieval, machine learning, and information visualization;
• Experience with deep learning libraries, such as PyTorch or TensorFlow;
• Excellent programming skills in one or more of the following languages: Python, C/ Rust
• Excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written;
• Good teamwork skills.

Our offer

The compensation package is competitive at the European level and includes several secondary benefits. Favorable tax agreements may apply to non-Dutch applicants. To learn more about working at the University of Amsterdam, please check this link and uva.nl/working-at-eb.

The employment contract will be for four years with an initial period of 18 months, with an intermediate evaluation after 18 months and a possibility to extend it for 30 months (in total, four years). End-result should be a PhD thesis. An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) conferences.

The gross monthly salary will range from €2.541 in the first year to €3.247 (based on 38 hours per week) in the last year. The Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) for Dutch Universities is applicable.

Additionally, the University of Amsterdam offers excellent benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• 232 hours of annual leave based on full-time employment;
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• Solid pension scheme (ABP);
• Contribution to commuting expenses.

What else do we offer

• A function in which your own initiative and input are strongly valued;
• An enthusiastic and warm team that is open to new colleagues;
• Collaboration opportunities in an active and vibrant research lab;
• An inspiring academic and international work environment at the center of Amsterdam.

Employer

About UvA Economics and Business

Education and research at UvA Economics and Business (EB) cover a wide range of fields, including economics, data science, business administration, business analytics, accountancy, control, econometrics, finance, and entrepreneurship. This is organized in 2 Schools: the Amsterdam Business School (ABS) and the Amsterdam School of Economics (ASE). Over 7,000 students are enrolled in our UvA Economics and Business programs, and around 500 employees provide education and support. You will primarily work in the Amsterdam Business School that acquired the triple-crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS), awarded to only 1% of business schools worldwide.

Find more information about Economics and Business on uva.nl/eb.

Find more information about the Amsterdam Business School on abs.uva.nl.

Find more information about the Amsterdam School of Economics on ase.uva.nl.

Department

The PhD position is with Prof. dr. Nachoem Wijnberg (ABS), Prof. dr. Paul Groth (Informatics Institute), Dr. Monika Kackovic (ABS), and other potential supervisors within the Entrepreneurship and Innovation section at the Amsterdam Business School of the University of Amsterdam. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation section has over 15 employees who do research and teach mainly in Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Strategic Marketing, Management Science, Machine Learning, and Scientometrics. The members of the department have published their research in top-tier academic journals, such as the Academy of Management Journal, Management Science, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, Organization Science, Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Management Studies, Organization Studies, Research Policy, and the Journal of Business Venturing.

Members of the department are also involved in teaching in undergraduate- and master-level programs and uphold strong relationships with industry and business.

Questions

Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Monika Kackovic (m.kackovic@uva.nl), Associate Professor.

Job application

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 31 March 2023.

Applications in one pdf should include:

• a curriculum vitae;
• a letter of motivation including a description of the candidate’s primary research interests and ambitions.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a job interview and may be asked to present their (thesis) research work. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide two reference letters.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please.