Ph.D. Position in cost estimation modeling for cross-organizational ERP projects

Ph.D. Position in cost estimation modeling for cross-organizational ERP projects
University of Twente Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Enschede, 7500 AE (Overijssel), 38 hours per week

Job description Function title: Ph.D. Position in cost estimation modeling for cross-organizational ERP projects

The University of Twente invites applications for a Ph.D. position in the COSMOS project http://is.ewi.utwente.nl/research/requirements/cosmos.doc/index.html),
a cooperation between the department of Business Information Systems (http://www.bbt.utwente.nl/iscm) chaired by Prof. Jos van Hillegersberg (http://www.mb.utwente.nl/iscm/staff/academic/Hillegersberg/) and the Information Systems group chaired by prof. Roel Wieringa (http://www.cs.utwente.nl/~roelw). The Ph.D. student will be employed in the Information Systems group.

In this project we will investigate, compare, and integrate functionality-driven approaches and economics-driven approaches to the problem of estimating cost for cross-organizational Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementations. Specifically, the COSMOS project will seek to answer to the following key questions:
1.What are the essential cost drivers to be considered for inclusion in cost estimation models for a set of interdependent ERP projects carried out in cross-organizational settings?
2.How are ERP costs and benefits shared among the actors in a value network?
3.What is the relationship between organizational factors (e.g. the degree of project management control) and the accuracy of ERP project estimates?
4.How to measure size of cross-organizational ERP projects based on functionality
5.How to assess the goodness-of-fit of cost models in real life cross-organizational settings?
6.How elements of real-options thinking and portfolio management concepts could be incorporated into existing ERP effort estimation practices?
7.How to incorporate estimation activities into the requirements engineering process for cross-organizational ERP?

We will investigate these questions by a combination of quantitative research, case study research, action research, and qualitative research methods with our industrial partners.

Requirements Required education/skills:University Graduate The successful candidate will be an integral part of a multidisciplinary research team to deliver:
(i)a multidimensional size and effort estimation framework for cost estimation of networked ERP implementation projects,
(ii)a requirements engineering approach to networked ERP projects that incorporates cost estimation and risk assessment activities, and
(iii)a success model that will help network partners visualize and reason about what will distinguish a successful networked ERP project from a failed one.

The Ph.D. student will be actively involved in case studies with partners from industry to assess current ERP cost estimation practices, re-define and improve existing approaches, validate proposed methods, and define a cost-and-risk-driven requirements engineering process for networked ERP projects.

We are looking for the following qualifications:
• A Master Degree in information systems or a comparable discipline such as software engineering, software metrics, or computer science;
• good communication and interpersonal skills. The main task of the PhD student will be to carry out collaborative research at the interface between theory and industry practice, but he/she will be given the opportunity to acquire some teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate level.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to take actions that align objectives, tasks and resources with project priorities and drive issues to closure despite setbacks.
• Exhibit high levels of energy, enthusiasm and determination.
• Productively challenges the status quo and actively searches for solutions beyond traditional boundaries.
• Strong work ethic; capable of working independently and as part of a
team in a fast-paced dynamic environment.
• Previous industry experience in ERP process engineering or in
software metrics would be an asset.
• English language proficiency in writing and oral is required.
• Dutch language is an asset.

Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers(Scientific discipline: Engineering)

Organization University of Twente
Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science Sharing knowledge, working together, research, innovation. It is all part of the only campus university in the Netherlands: the University of Twente (UT). A university with an international character. We have for example many foreign doctoral students, and master programmes are provided in English. Divided over 5 faculties, we provide more than 50
Bachelor and Master programmes, varying from Applied Physics and Public Administration to Applied Communication Science and Biomedical Technology. In beautiful green surroundings, more than 8000 students and 2700 staff live, work and recreate at the UT. It is also a place where talented people get every opportunity to perform cutting edge research. But as an entrepreneurial university this is not all we do. In 'Kennispark', for example, we work together with the business community, we support our students in setting up their own businesses and participate in many projects in the area of knowledge development. In brief, a dynamic climate in which to work and study.

The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Twente educates, and conducts research with approximately 2000 students including 300 PhD-students. The faculty is also responsible for a large volume of service education for programmes of other faculties. The faculty has approximately 300 permanent staff.

The faculty of EEMCS conducts BSc-programmes in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Business Information Systems and MSc-programmes in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Applied Mathematics, Business Information Technology, Computer Science, Telematics, Human Media Interaction en Embedded
Systems and is partner in various programmes of other faculties.
www.ewi.utwente.nl

Conditions of employment Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2000 - 2500
Salary: scale 10.
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2502
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 years
Maximum hours per week: 38

Additional conditions of employment:
We offer:
• A four-year appointment at an interesting temporary research position in a dynamic and international environment.
• A salary starting at €1956 gross per month in the first year and grows up to €2502 gross per month in the fourth year.
• Support in getting involved in Dutch language courses.

Applicants should submit:
•a curriculum vitae including a list of courses you have followed (with grades),
•a cover letter with a statement of motivation and research interests,
•names and contact details of two suggested referees by e-mail to is_jobs@cs.utwente.nl.

Additional Information Additional information about the vacancy can be
obtained from:

Dr. Maya Daneva
Telephone number: 31 53 489 2889
E-mail address: m.daneva@utwente.nl
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:

* About the organization (http://www.utwente.nl/en/)
* About the department (http://www.ewi.utwente.nl)
* About the function
(http://www.utwente.nl/vacatures/vacatures_externe_werving/07-182-eng.doc/)
* website faculty EEMCS (http://www.ewi.utwente.nl/en/index.html)
* COSMOS project
(http://is.ewi.utwente.nl/research/requirements/cosmos.doc/index.html)


Application You can apply for this job before 03-12-2007 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:

University of Twente EWI
Ing.H. van Egmond
postbus 217
7500 AE Enschede

E-mail: is_jobs@cs.utwente.nl

When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number AT/07/182.
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