Winterthur
Research Assistant for Data-Driven B2B Service Development 50 %
- 08 September 2026
- 50%
- Temporary
- German (Fluent), English (Fluent)
- Winterthur
About the job
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:
Immediate or by arrangement, limited to one year with option for extension
Responsibilities
As part of the cross-border Eureka research project BePro-CEND, you will work on developing 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 various data sources, knowledge bases, and digital tools into the developed services and evaluate their quality, reliability, and practical utility.
- You develop econometric or game-theoretic models to analyse and design pricing strategies in the B2B environment.
- You conduct interviews and user tests with corporate partners to systematically identify requirements and user needs as well as to practically test the developed prototypes and models.
- You test and validate the developed methods and prototypes together with manufacturing companies in concrete industrial use cases.
- You document the results scientifically and practically and support communication and coordination with national and international project partners.
- You provide support as needed in other projects related to service or business engineering topics.
- Assignments in teaching assistance are possible as required.
Profile
You hold a bachelor’s degree in business informatics, industrial engineering, computer science, data science, economics, business administration, or a related field. The following qualifications are particularly relevant for the position:
- You have good programming skills in Python and ideally have already developed applications based on large language models.
- You possess knowledge of quantitative methods, especially econometric or game-theoretic modelling, or are motivated to gain solid expertise in these methods.
- You are interested in B2B business models, pricing strategies, and the data-driven implementation of the circular economy in manufacturing companies.
- You work independently, in a structured and solution-oriented manner, and enjoy collaborating with companies as well as interdisciplinary and international research partners.
- You have very good German and English skills, both spoken and written.
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 advantageous. Knowledge in business model innovation, industrial services, or circular economy is also welcome.
The assistantship is particularly suitable for individuals who wish to combine their work with a further education programme, such as a master’s degree.
What we stand for
The ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, with over 14,000 students and more than 11,000 continuing education participants as well as around 3,700 employees, is one of the largest multi-disciplinary universities of applied sciences in Switzerland.
The ZHAW School of Engineering is one of the leading technical education and research institutions in Switzerland. Fourteen institutes and centres guarantee high-quality education, continuing education, research, and development with a focus on energy, mobility, information, and health. The study programme is oriented towards the needs of industry and provides a scientifically sound engineering education with a strong practical focus and an interdisciplinary approach.
The Institute of Data Science (IDS) conducts demanding practice-oriented research projects in the application areas of Smart Services and Maintenance, Operations Research and Operations Management, Data Analysis and Statistics, Finance, Risk Management and Econometrics, as well as Transport and Traffic Engineering. The methodological basis includes procedures from statistical data analysis, process and system modelling, operations management, and financial mathematics/econometrics.
ZHAW is committed to gender-mixed and diverse teams to promote equality, diversity, and innovation.
What we offer
We offer university-appropriate working and employment conditions and actively promote the professional development of our employees and managers. A detailed description of the benefits can be found on the page Working at ZHAW . Here are the key points:
Contact
Jochen Wulf
Senior Lecturer, Research & Development
Irina Keiser
Recruiting Manager
