Ruud T.

Ruud T.

Senior Data Scientist

Amsterdam, Netherlands
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About Me

Ruud is a results-driven AI and Data Science professional with 11+ years of experience developing and deploying machine learning models, data pipelines, and scalable AI solutions. He specializes in deep learning, predictive modeling, and advanced analytics, leveraging frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and MLFlow to build AI-driven applications. With a strong background in cloud platforms (Azure, AWS) and DevOps tools (Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD), he ensures seamless integration of AI models into production environments. Ruud is passionate about ethical AI, automation, and transforming data into actionable insights that drive innovation and business growth. He thrives in collaborative environments, mentoring teams and working cross-functionally to deliver impactful AI solutions.

Work history

UpStack
UpStack
Senior Data Scientist
2019 - Present (6 years)
Remote
  • Worked with a large global research and advisory firm to design and develop a data platform including architecture, prototyping, and development of data extract, transformation, cleansing, and integration of structured and unstructured data.

  • Developed optimal design of data warehouse environments, analyzing complex distributed data deployments and making recommendations to optimize performance.

  • Transformed raw data into useful information and insights using analytics, BI, and visualization tools.

Save the Children International
Save the Children International
Senior Data Specialist
2022 - 2024 (2 years)
Remote
  • Developed and tested T-SQL stored procedures and SQL functions for ETL processing including staging and target processing.

  • Created and maintained optimal pipeline architecture in Cloud Microsoft Azure using Data Factory and Databricks.

  • Delivered denormalized data for Power BI consumers for modeling and visualization from the produced layers in the Azure Data Lake.

  • Used web scraping techniques like Beautiful Soup in Python to extract and organize competitor INGO data.

Azure Python 3 PythonLooker Studio Azure SQL MySQLPostgreSQLR Programming Jupyter NotebookExcel VBAMicrosoft Power BI Airbnb JenkinsDatabricks Automated Data Flows Git Flow AWST-SQLSQLSQL Stored Procedures ETLAzure Data FactoryAzure Data Lake Beautiful Soup Web Scraping
Xentral ERP Software
Xentral ERP Software
Senior Data Scientist
2021 - 2022 (1 year)
Remote
  • Worked collaboratively with the board to develop a strategy and approach to defining business challenges to be answered by data analytics.

  • Managed other data scientists' workload and priorities and developed product/area-specific Data Science roadmaps with increased job efficiency of 45%.

  • Developed strategies to help clients activate their analytics and create a more data-driven culture.

  • Supported the development of the Data Analytics team both as line manager and mentor for junior team members.

  • Measured the effectiveness of improvements through deep analysis of data on performance metrics, striving for high-quality, cost-effective improvements.

Amazon S3 (AWS S3) AWSPythonBusiness to Business (B2B) TableauLooker Studio Dynamic Analysis Sales Forecasting Trend Forecasting Marketing Analytics Predictive Modeling
G-Star RAW
G-Star RAW
Senior Data Scientist
2020 - 2021 (1 year)
Amsterdam (Hybrid), Netherlands
  • Formulated, suggested, and managed data-driven projects to further business interests, tracking and making suggestions for ways to improve KPIs.

  • Measured the effectiveness of improvements through deep analysis of data on performance metrics, striving for high-quality, cost-effective improvements.

  • Assisted in the design of various experiments, formulation, discovery of various hypotheses, and training and scoring of existing and potential models.

  • Identified key performance metrics and benchmarks related to user behavior, user segmentation, and user retention.

Data-driven Marketing PythonR Programming Linear Programming TableauFinancial Forecasting BigQuery Bayesian Statistics Dynamic Pricing Marketing Analytics Data ScrapingFinancial Data Analytics Scientific Data Analysis Git Repo
NOVI Hogeschool
NOVI Hogeschool
Data Analytics Teacher
2018 - 2021 (3 years)
Utrecht (Hybrid), Netherlands
  • Taught Data Science, full-stack development, and cybersecurity-related courses such as Machine Learning, UML, and R/Python programming.

  • Researched new teaching techniques and strategies and presented findings to other college professors.

  • Reviewed the current curriculum to check if updates are needed.

SparkPythonHiveSQLUMLPowerBIMicrosoft AzureAgile MethodologiesData ScienceData EngineeringUniversity Teaching Azure PostgreSQLR Programming Linear Programming LookerTableauAWSFinancial Data Analytics
Ministerie van Defensie
Ministerie van Defensie
Senior Data Scientist
2018 - 2020 (2 years)
The Hague, Netherlands
  • Developed intricate algorithms based on deep-dive statistical analysis and predictive data modeling that deepened relationships and strengthened longevity and personalized interaction with customers, leading to a 25% increase in customer satisfaction and 16% increase in sales.

  • Updated the company's data warehousing techniques, data recall, and segmentation, resulting in a 30% increase in usability for non-technical staff members.

  • Developed an ETS for data sources used for reporting by the sales, inventory, and marketing departments and modernized the data streamlining processes, reducing redundancy by 25%.

Elsevier/Bloomberg
Elsevier/Bloomberg
Quantitative Analyst
2016 - 2016
Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Implemented loss-minimization techniques resulting in a positive overall loss reduction of 10% on monthly revenues.

  • Achieved a 14% month-on-month increase in revenue applying dynamic pricing techniques.

  • Located and defined two new process improvement opportunities that increased the company’s revenue by 15%.

Canal Digitaal
Canal Digitaal
Marketing Intelligence Analyst
2015 - 2018 (3 years)
Hilversum, Netherlands
  • Built statistical models using historical data to conduct customer-based pricing and constructed several predictive models such as bad debt and churn models, resulting in a 20% lower churn and 8% lower high-risk debtors.

  • Developed prediction algorithms using advanced data mining algorithms to classify similar properties together to develop sub-markets dividing each zip code into sub-markets.

  • Refined personalization algorithms for 400K customers on web and mobile, boosting engagement and time spent on the platform by 25%.

Emesa
Emesa
Junior Business Analyst
2014 - 2015 (1 year)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Solved complex business problems using Machine Learning techniques like Regression, Classification, Supervised and Unsupervised Recommenders, increasing team efficiency by 20% and reducing costs by 27%.

  • Performed market analysis to efficiently achieve business objectives, increasing sales by 34%.

  • Used web scraping techniques to extract and organize competitor data for evaluation.

Politieke Academie
Politieke Academie
Political Data Analyst
2014 - 2015 (1 year)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Researched and analyzed political systems in various countries and developed and implemented (social) media strategic plans and political proposals for clients.

  • Used R to create a matrix of political, demographic, and household data to develop a set of predictive models that applied a score to every voter.

  • Identified voters who would be positively influenced by ads, mailings, social media, and other outreach efforts, which resulted in local political parties winning several municipal and provincial seats.

Portfolio

Improve Customer Service with Machine Learning
Improve Customer Service with Machine Learning

Leveraging cutting-edge natural language processing (NLP) and deep learning techniques, I designed and implemented a sophisticated Seq2Seq (Sequence-to-Sequence) model to train a chatbot on historical customer service conversations. The model was built using advanced frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch, and incorporated transformer architectures to enable context-aware, human-like responses. By fine-tuning the model with attention mechanisms and transfer learning, the chatbot was able to emulate the tone and expertise of a real customer service representative, delivering highly personalized and accurate responses. This AI-powered solution enabled the company to deepen customer relationships, extend customer lifetime value (CLV), and provide faster, more tailored support. Post-implementation, the chatbot significantly enhanced operational efficiency and customer experience, achieving a 25% increase in customer satisfaction, a 10% reduction in average waiting time, and a 7% improvement in Net Promoter Score (NPS). The project demonstrated the transformative potential of combining NLP, deep learning, and AI-driven automation to revolutionize customer service, setting a new standard for personalized, scalable, and efficient customer interactions.

Reduce Churn in Customer Base
Reduce Churn in Customer Base

The project aimed to develop a robust churn prediction model capable of analyzing subscribers’ historical behavior to accurately forecast the likelihood of churn for any subscriber in the immediate next month. Initially, a baseline model was built using logistic regression, achieving a precision of approximately 57%. To enhance the model’s performance, I employed advanced data science and machine learning techniques, including feature engineering and ensemble modeling. I incorporated social network analysis (SNA) to derive insights from subscribers’ interaction patterns, creating augmented variables that captured the influence of network dynamics on churn behavior. These variables were integrated into an ensemble model combining XGBoost and Random Forest algorithms, which improved the model’s predictive power. Through iterative optimization and hyperparameter tuning, the overall accuracy of the ensemble model was boosted by an additional 18%, significantly outperforming the baseline. This project showcased the effective application of AI, machine learning, and data-driven decision-making to solve complex business problems, ultimately enabling proactive customer retention strategies and reducing churn rates. The use of SNA and ensemble techniques highlighted the importance of leveraging diverse data sources and advanced analytics to drive actionable insights.

Increase Retention in Stronghold Areas
Increase Retention in Stronghold Areas

The project aimed to stabilize and enhance customer retention in the company’s stronghold areas, which were underserved neighborhoods with limited or no access to high-speed internet. Leveraging advanced data science and AI-driven techniques, I designed and implemented a sophisticated web scraping bot using Python and libraries such as BeautifulSoup and Selenium to systematically extract and analyze competitors’ expansion plans from their websites. This data was then processed using natural language processing (NLP) and predictive analytics to identify key trends and opportunities. Using insights derived from the scraped data, I developed machine learning models to segment customers and predict churn likelihood, enabling the creation of highly targeted and personalized retention offers. By integrating these AI-powered strategies, the project achieved a 40% increase in retention rates, demonstrating the transformative impact of combining data science, AI, and automation to solve complex business challenges. This approach not only improved customer loyalty but also provided a scalable framework for future data-driven decision-making.

Financial housing budget model
Financial housing budget model

I was tasked with developing an AI-driven budget optimization model for a housing corporation with the ambitious goal of achieving CO2 neutrality across their properties by 2050. The organization faced significant challenges in determining how to allocate their annual budget for renovations effectively. To address this, I designed and implemented a machine learning model that identified which houses—or even specific areas within them—should be prioritized for renovations each year. This approach ensured they remained within budget while making measurable progress toward their 2050 sustainability target.

Boosting Retail Sales Through Personalized Basket Analysis
Boosting Retail Sales Through Personalized Basket Analysis

Developed an advanced AI-powered recommendation engine for a retail company designed to increase customer purchase volumes by leveraging the items in their shopping baskets. The model utilized machine learning algorithms such as collaborative filtering, association rule mining, and market basket analysis to identify patterns and relationships between products. By analyzing historical transaction data and customer behavior, the system could predict and recommend complementary or frequently purchased together items in real-time. The engine was built using Python and machine learning frameworks like Scikit-learn and TensorFlow, with a focus on scalability and real-time processing. It incorporated customer segmentation techniques to group shoppers based on preferences, purchase history, and demographics, enabling highly personalized product suggestions. Additionally, predictive analytics were used to anticipate future buying behavior, ensuring recommendations were both relevant and timely. The implementation of this AI model led to a 15% increase in average order value as customers added more items to their carts, and a 20% boost in repeat purchases due to the enhanced shopping experience. The system also contributed to a 10% reduction in cart abandonment rates by providing tailored incentives at the checkout stage. This project demonstrated the transformative impact of AI-driven insights and data science in optimizing retail strategies, driving revenue growth, and fostering stronger customer engagement.

Predictive Maintenance and Sustainability Platform for the Oil and Gas Sector: Enhancing Pipeline Operations, Emissions Tracking, and Compliance
Predictive Maintenance and Sustainability Platform for the Oil and Gas Sector: Enhancing Pipeline Operations, Emissions Tracking, and Compliance

Developed a cutting-edge AI-powered predictive maintenance and sustainability platform specifically designed for the oil and gas sector, addressing critical challenges in pipeline operations, emissions management, and sustainability compliance. The platform integrated machine learning, IoT sensor data, and advanced analytics to deliver actionable insights and drive operational excellence. At its core, the system utilized time-series forecasting models (e.g., ARIMA, Prophet, and LSTM neural networks) and anomaly detection algorithms to analyze historical and real-time data from pipeline sensors. This enabled the accurate prediction of equipment failures and maintenance needs with 90% precision, reducing unplanned downtime by 20% and optimizing maintenance schedules to lower operational costs. By proactively addressing potential issues, the platform minimized risks of pipeline leaks or disruptions, ensuring safer and more reliable operations. For emissions tracking, the platform integrated IoT sensors placed across pipelines and facilities to monitor greenhouse gas emissions in real-time. Using predictive analytics, the system identified emission hotspots, forecasted trends, and provided recommendations to reduce the organization’s carbon footprint by 15%. This not only ensured compliance with stringent environmental regulations but also supported the company’s commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. To further enhance sustainability efforts, the platform incorporated automated reporting tools to streamline the sustainability certification process. These tools analyzed vast amounts of operational data, generated compliance reports, and facilitated certifications such as ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and API RP 1173 (Pipeline Safety Management). By automating these processes, the platform saved hundreds of manual hours annually and improved accuracy in reporting. The platform also provided actionable insights for improving sustainability metrics, such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and resource optimization. For example, it identified opportunities to reduce flaring and methane emissions, aligning with global initiatives like the OGCI (Oil and Gas Climate Initiative) and the Paris Agreement. This comprehensive AI-driven solution not only enhanced operational efficiency and reliability in the oil and gas sector but also positioned the organization as a leader in sustainable practices. By combining predictive maintenance, real-time emissions tracking, and automated sustainability certification, the platform delivered measurable business value while contributing to environmental stewardship and long-term sustainability goals.

Education

AI & Data Science Expert 3-Star Program - 2016
AI & Data Science Expert 3-Star Program - 2016
GAIN® - The Global AI network
2019 - 2019
MSc Environment and Resource Management
MSc Environment and Resource Management
VU Amsterdam - Netherlands
2012 - 2014 (2 years)
Post-initial MA Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Post-initial MA Latin American and Caribbean Studies
University of Amsterdam - Netherlands
2010 - 2012 (2 years)
BA Political Science/International Relations/International (Public) Law
BA Political Science/International Relations/International (Public) Law
University of Utrecht - Netherlands
2006 - 2010 (4 years)