Big Data for financial analysis

Businesses and institutes have growing quantity of data and the complexity to interpret them has been on the rise. Understanding implications from deep data analysis, the ability to process thousands of data within minutes, as well as offering a high level of prediction accuracy and robustness, is essential for businesses and institutes since they can identify their weaknesses to improve. This PhD and research project is aimed to blend big data financial analysis technique with econometrics models to provide investors speed, accuracy, robustness and reliable financial services. Predictive analysis can be provided to allow businesses to make realistic forecasts of their targets and check consistency between predicted and actual outcomes. Supervision will be jointly be conducted by IBSS XJTLU and University of Liverpool. Active collaborators will include Accenture USA, University of Southampton and Chinese collaborators in Shanghai and other parts of China to make it a successful project.

The ideal candidate must be proficient in programming (two of the followings: Java, MATLAB, R, Python, Mathematica, SAS, Scala), have a deep knowledge about any financial models, possess strong logic, independent-learning and data analysis skills, as well as good reading, writing and presentation skills.

For more information about doctoral scholarship and PhD programme at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), please visit:

http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/admissions/phd.html

http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/admissions/phd/feesscholarships.html

Requirements:
The candidate should have a first class or upper second class honors degree, or a master’s degree (or equivalent qualification), in management science, information management, mathematics, econometrics, computing or other related discipline. The candidate should have mastered some basic research method skills for quantitative and/or qualitative analyses. Evidence of good spoken and written English is essential. The candidate should have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, or an equivalent qualification, if the first language is not English. This position is open to all qualified candidates irrespective of nationality.

Degree:
The student will be awarded a PhD degree from the University of Liverpool (UK) upon successful completion of the program.

How to Apply:
Interested applicants are advised to email [Email Address Removed] (principle supervisor’s email address) the following documents and copy [Email Address Removed] (please put the project title in the subject line).

Round 1, pre-screening:
• CV
• Research proposal
• Evidence for proficiency in programming skills, financial models, independent-learning and data analysis skills, as well as writing and presentation skills.

Round 2, after passing pre-screening
• Two reference letters
• Personal statement outlining your interest in the position
• Proof of English language proficiency (an IELTS score of above 6.5 or equivalent is required
• Verified school transcripts in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required)
• Verified certificates of education qualifications in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required)

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Victor Chang ([Email Address Removed] ), whose personal profile is linked below, http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/departments/academic-departments/international-business-school-suzhou/staff/victor-chang Please read the PI’s papers/keynotes and the text about requirements before writing to him. Many thanks.