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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # PhD Researcher: AI-driven Employee-Customer Relationship Management in the Service Sector - **Company:** Staff members - **Location:** Brussel, Belgium - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Microsoft Azure, Python (Programming Language), SQL Databases, Reinforcement Learning, Microsoft Fabric, Information Technology, Virtual Agents - **Published:** July 2, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.adzuna.be/details/5782687187 ## About the Role * Obtained a master's degree in business analytics, business engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, business administration, economics, computer science, civil engineering, statistics, mathematics, or equivalent. * Have excellent qualifications during your studies, such as distinctions (cum laude or higher) at the bachelor's and master's levels. * Have good communication skills and a business mindset, which allows you to easily switch between different stakeholders at all levels. * Can take up responsibilities and work independently. * Are passionate about the topic, have a research mindset and great analytical skills. * Have a good knowledge of data analytics and machine learning. * Can program and have experience with Python and SQL. * Preferably have experience with Microsoft Fabric and Azure. * Are fluent in Dutch and English and have excellent writing skills. * Have a proactive attitude and don't shy away from presenting your findings to an academic and business audience. * Will be based on one of our Vlerick campuses (Ghent or Brussels) and the office of Glowi at ## Description * Conduct academic and applied research, including data collection, modelling, AI agent development, evaluation and reporting. * Disseminate insights through papers, reports, workshops, presentations and social media for both academic and business audiences. * Collaborate with faculty, researchers and support the activities of the research area. Business impact * Work with client and employee data from Glowi. * Develop predictive models and AI-driven solutions that are operationalised within the organisation. * Design and evaluate genAI-supported workflows and AI agents embedded in existing processes. * Work closely with Glowi's Data & AI team and business stakeholders to improve key business KPIs. The Research Your PhD research will focus on employee-customer relationship management (acquisition, development and retention) within the cleaning services sector, exploring how machine learning and AI agents can generate insights and improve processes. The exact research topic will be defined together with the PhD candidate and may include: * AI-driven employee and customer acquisition * Consultant coaching effects on development and churn * Skills, knowledge and behaviour (KSB) matching in recruitment and retention * Employee absenteeism and performance modelling * Pricing and price sensitivity analysis * Hyper-personalised employee and customer communication using genAI * Process automation using genAI and reinforcement learning All research is conducted in close collaboration with the business and combines state-of-the-art technology, real-world data, advanced modelling, and academic and managerial reporting. ## Related Videos - [Inside the AI Revolution: How Microsoft is Empowering the World to Achieve More](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/869-inside-the-ai-revolution-how-microsoft-is-empowering-the-world-to-achieve-more) - [Fault Tolerance and Consistency at Scale: Harnessing the Power of Distributed SQL Databases](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1146-fault-tolerance-and-consistency-at-scale-harnessing-the-power-of-distributed-sql-databases) - [Guiding Agentic AI with Vue](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2033-guiding-agentic-ai-with-vue) - [Developer Tools for Microsoft Azure](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/450-developer-tools-for-microsoft-azure) - [Agentic employees in world's most downloaded FinTech app](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100123-agentic-employees-in-world-s-most-downloaded-fintech-app) - [AI in Leadership: How Technology is Reshaping Executive Roles](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1705-ai-in-leadership-how-technology-is-reshaping-executive-roles) ## Related Articles - [How to Become an AI Engineer](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/331-how-to-become-an-ai-engineer) - [What Industries Outside of AI Are Hiring The Most AI Experts?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/98-what-industries-outside-of-ai-are-hiring-the-most-ai-experts) - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production) - [Navigating the AI Shift](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/629-navigating-the-ai-shift) - [The Biggest German Tech Companies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/424-the-biggest-german-tech-companies) - [MLOps – What’s the deal behind it?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/125-mlops-what-s-the-deal-behind-it)