johannes-rudolf.david@unil.ch<\/a>). Interested applicants should indicate this topic in their online submission form.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udccb Master’s Thesis Guidelines & Supervision Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n1. General Framework & Capacities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Proposal Structure & Submission Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Recommendations for Proposal Preparation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Intake & Arbitration Workflow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Evaluation Matrix (24 ECTS)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The final Master’s thesis is evaluated across seven rigorous academic dimensions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEvaluation Dimension<\/th>\n Weight<\/th>\n Assessment Scope<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \nResearch Question & Motivation<\/strong><\/td>10%<\/td> Relevance, clarity, and articulation of the problem scope.<\/td><\/tr>\n Theoretical Foundation & Literature<\/strong><\/td>15%<\/td> Mastery of relevant literature and rigorous conceptual framing.<\/td><\/tr>\n Methodological Rigor<\/strong><\/td>20%<\/td> Appropriateness of research design, data validity, and execution.<\/td><\/tr> Results & Empirical Analysis<\/strong><\/td>20%<\/td> Depth, accuracy, and technical validity of findings.<\/td><\/tr>\n Discussion & Implications<\/strong><\/td>15%<\/td> Theoretical contributions, practical relevance, and self-reflection on limitations.<\/td><\/tr>\n Academic Structure & Clarity<\/strong><\/td>10%<\/td> Precision of academic prose, formatting rigor, and citation standards.<\/td><\/tr>\n Autonomy & Initiative<\/strong><\/td>10%<\/td> Critical thinking, intellectual independence, and project management.<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n6. Corporate Theses & Institutional Agreements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Submission & Oral Defense Protocol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n