Student Consultant (Data & AI) — JADS MKB Datalab

Want to build real-world Data Science & AI experience while you’re still studying - and work on your technical and soft skills while boosting your resume?

At JADS MKB Datalab, we believe students should be able to gain practical experience alongside their studies. You’ll discover where your strengths are, learn what “the real world” looks like, and prepare yourself for a career in data and AI - all while delivering real value to SMEs (small-to-medium enterprises) and other organizations.

While MKB Datalab is part of the university, a project is not part of the curriculum. It’s a real paid role, with real clients, real data, and real expectations - plus guidance that helps you grow. We have completed over 420+ projects and worked with 170+ students.

What you’ll do

As a Student Consultant, you’ll deliver a practical solution for a client. Depending on the project, you might:

• build dashboards or BI views that turn data into decision-ready insight
• develop forecasting or predictive models to support planning
• automate repetitive work with Python scripts or workflow automation tools
• explore applied GenAI use cases (e.g., RAG, internal knowledge search, smart assistants)
• clean, structure, and combine messy data into something usable
• conduct an internal company analysis and create a strategic AI roadmap

A big part of the role is translating a business question into a technical approach that maximises value and makes sense to a client who may not be data-savvy. You’re the expert, and you’ll learn how to communicate your work in a way that lands.

You’ll be part of a community that’s accessible and hands-on. We work in a flat, collaborative way - you can drop by, ask questions, and get quick input when you need it.

At the same time, we take delivery seriously. You’re supported by full-time project managers with strong Data/AI backgrounds, and you’ll often get practical input from experienced student consultants (“Datalabbers”) who’ve done similar projects before.

How it works (practical)

• Projects range from 60-120 hours, where you’ll typically work 8-12 hours per week on a project
• You apply for projects that match your interests and skills
• You’ll have regular check-ins and feedback moments with your supervisor (weekly)
• You’ll mostly work remotely, unless demanded otherwise by the client; you are always welcome to work from the JADS Campus (’s-Hertogenbosch)

What you’ll get

• A strong portfolio project you can talk about in interviews
• Experience with real stakeholders, real constraints, and real datasets
• Growth in professional skills: scoping, project management, and communication
• Coaching and structure that help you level up quickly
• You’ll receive a fair, competitive compensation per project

Who we’re looking for

You don’t need to know everything — but you should be curious, reliable, and ready to build.

You’re a good fit if you:

• study in a Data Science / AI / Analytics-related field (or similar) (preferably Master’s or end-Bachelor’s study phase)
• are comfortable with Python and enjoy making things work end-to-end
• can explain what you’re doing to non-technical stakeholders
• can work independently and actively seek feedback when needed
• like turning a vague question into a clear plan and a working solution

Nice to have (not required): SQL, dashboards (Power BI/Tableau), cloud tooling, automation tooling, ML pipelines, or LLM tooling.

Because most small-to-medium businesses operate in Dutch, most of our projects require professional Dutch proficiency. Nevertheless, you can still apply if you’re not fluent; we also occasionally offer English-speaking assignments.

Interested?

Send a short message with:

• who you are + what you study
• the type of projects you’d like to work on
• your CV and motivation letter (bonus points if written without AI!)

Email: **info@jadsmkbdatalab.nl** or drop by our office on JADS campus (MDB 1.08)