Research Assistant for data-driven B2B service development 50 %

Develop AI-based service prototypes and quantitative pricing models for mechanical engineering. Using Python, Data Science and economic methods, you will design innovative data-driven B2B services. Research Assistant for data-driven B2B service development 50 % Department: School of Engineering Start date: Immediately or by arrangement, fixed-term for one year with option for extension Tasks Within the framework of the cross-border Eureka research project BePro-CEND, you will work on the development of data-driven solutions for B2B services and circular business models in manufacturing companies. Together with research institutes and companies from Germany and Switzerland, you will develop and test innovative methods and services for industrial practice. Your main tasks are: * You design and implement functional prototypes for LLM- and agent-based services in Python, for example using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and the Model Context Protocol (MCP). * You integrate different data sources, bodies of knowledge and digital tools into the developed services and evaluate their quality, reliability and practical utility. * You develop econometric or game-theoretic models for the analysis and design of pricing strategies in the B2B environment. * You conduct interviews and user tests with company partners to systematically determine requirements and user needs as well as to test the developed prototypes and models in a practical manner. * You test and validate the developed methods and prototypes together with manufacturing companies in concrete industrial application cases. * You document the results scientifically and in a practice-oriented manner and support the communication as well as the coordination with the national and international project partners. * You provide support if required in other projects on service or business engineering topics. * Assignments in teaching assistance are possible as required. Profile You have a Bachelor's degree in Business Informatics, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Economics, Business Administration or a related field. For the position, the following qualifications are particularly relevant: * You have good programming skills in Python and have ideally already developed applications based on Large Language Models. * You possess knowledge of quantitative methods, especially in econometric or game-theoretic modeling, or are motivated to learn these methods in depth. * You are interested in B2B business models, pricing strategies and the data-based implementation of the Circular Economy in manufacturing companies. * You work independently, structured and solution-oriented and enjoy collaborating with companies as well as interdisciplinary and international research partners. * You have very good German and English skills in speaking and writing. Experience with RAG architectures, agent-based systems, MCP, relevant Python frameworks for LLM applications as well as with the preparation and analysis of structured and unstructured data is an advantage. Knowledge in the area of business model innovation, industrial services or Circular Economy is also welcome. The assistant position is particularly suitable for persons who wish to combine their activity with an advanced educational program, such as a Master's degree. Why us The ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften is one of the largest multi-sector universities of applied sciences in Switzerland with over 14'000 students and over 11'000 continuing education participants as well as around 3'700 employees. The [ZHAW School of Engineering](< >) is one of the leading technical education and research institutions in Switzerland. 14 institutes and centers guarantee high-quality education, continuing education, research and development with a focus on the areas of energy, mobility, information and health. The course offerings are oriented towards the needs of the economy and convey a scientifically sound engineering education with strong practical relevance and an interdisciplinary approach. The [Institut für Data Science (IDS)](< >) processes demanding practice-oriented research projects from the application areas: Smart Services and Maintenance, Operations Research and Operations Management, Data Analysis and Statistics, j4id10397231a j4it0938a j4iy26a