MSc Thesis & Supervision

The Applied AI Lab (AAIL) at HEC Lausanne investigates the intersection of artificial intelligence, organizational decision-making, and societal impact. We supervise Master’s theses that combine rigorous theoretical foundations with empirical depth, covering both internal academic projects and collaborative investigations with industry partners.

👉 Apply Now (Online Form) 💡 Open Research Topics 📋 Proposal Guidelines & Grading 🎓 Past Theses & Alumni

💡 Open Master Thesis Topics

While candidates are encouraged to formulate their own research proposals aligned with AAIL research pillars, the laboratory regularly offers pre-defined thesis positions tied to active research projects:

📋 Master’s Thesis Guidelines & Supervision Process

1. General Framework & Capacities

AAIL accommodates two thesis modalities: an internal academic thesis conducted entirely within the laboratory, or a corporate thesis conducted in an external organization under joint academic supervision. The laboratory operates under a strict annual quota of six Master’s students across all supervisors. Applicants must submit their proposal two to three months before their intended starting date, after reviewing the official HEC Lausanne Master’s thesis guidelines.

2. Proposal Structure & Submission Requirements

Applicants must provide a concise research proposal of maximum two double-spaced pages (PDF format, 12pt standard font). The proposal must sequentially address nine core elements: (1) working title, (2) introduction and academic context, (3) research problem and motivation, (4) research questions and specific objectives, (5) theoretical framework, (6) proposed methodology and data access strategy, (7) expected theoretical and managerial contributions, (8) tentative execution timeline with milestones, and (9) key literature references.

3. Recommendations for Proposal Preparation

Successful proposals demonstrate solid theoretical grounding and articulate clear research questions rather than generic technical aspirations. Alignment with the primary research streams of AAIL (algorithmic management, human-AI collaboration, and organizational decision-making) is essential. Proposals must demonstrate that data access is either already secured or realistically obtainable within the master calendar.

4. Intake & Arbitration Workflow

Admission follows a four-stage protocol. Following online submission via this portal, the AAIL supervision committee conducts an internal review during its bi-weekly arbitration session. Candidates receive formal notification of acceptance or decline within two weeks. Admitted candidates participate in an initial kick-off meeting to finalize supervisor assignment and validate the research schedule.

5. Evaluation Matrix (24 ECTS)

The final Master’s thesis is evaluated across seven rigorous academic dimensions:

6. Corporate Theses & Institutional Agreements

Theses conducted in collaboration with corporate partners require a formal tripartite agreement binding HEC UNIL, the partner organization, and AAIL. The host organization must designate a qualified industry mentor to supervise practical operations. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are accommodated when required to protect proprietary business information, provided academic evaluation standards and examination transparency remain sovereign.

7. Submission & Oral Defense Protocol

Final manuscripts must be delivered according to the official HEC deadline calendar. The oral defense lasts sixty minutes, structured into three equal phases: a thirty-minute candidate presentation, a fifteen-minute question-and-answer exchange with the jury, and a fifteen-minute closed deliberation. The examination committee comprises the primary thesis supervisor and an appointed internal HEC faculty expert.

📝 Master’s Thesis Online Application

Please complete all fields and attach required documentation (PDF only). All applications are archived securely in the private AAIL repository and reviewed during the next bi-weekly faculty arbitration.

🎓 Past Master Thesis Supervision & Alumni

The Applied AI Lab maintains a strong track record of high-impact Master’s research across industry sectors and academic venues.