Survey Information-Retrieval Research for an AdTech Platform's Roadmap
Overview
What this challenge is about.
Build a reading list of 30-40 papers spanning SIGIR, RecSys, KDD, WSDM, and arXiv from 2023-2025 across (a) dense retrieval architectures, (b) learning-to-rank with click feedback, (c) bias and fairness in ranking. Synthesize across the corpus, not paper-by-paper. Produce a 20-page survey with a section on what is mature enough to adopt this year and what is research bet. Conclude with 2 prioritized research investments for the VP of ML. Deliver the survey, a reading-list bibliography, and a 45-minute readout.
The Brief
What you'll do, and what you'll demonstrate.
Produce a research-grade survey of 30+ IR papers from 2023-2025 with 2 prioritized research investments for an AdTech DSP's bid-matching pipeline.
Earning criteria — what you'll demonstrate
- Read across 30+ IR papers and synthesize themes, not paper-by-paper summaries
- Distinguish production-ready research from speculative directions
- Translate academic findings into roadmap implications for a specific business
- Brief an ML team without losing technical nuance
Program Fit
Where this fits in your program.
Sharpens the same skills your degree expects you to demonstrate.
Skills
Skills you'll demonstrate.
Each one shows up on your verified credential.
Careers
Roles this prepares you for.
Real titles. Real skill bridges. Pick the one closest to your trajectory.
Product Manager
ML product managers who can read research surveys credibly own the trade-off conversations technical leadership needs.
This challenge sharpens
- research-synthesis
- ranking-bias
- stakeholder-communication