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KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.
Visit the employer pageKU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.
Visit the employer pageTogether with the University of Antwerp (Kenneth Sörensen - https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/ant-or/) and Hasselt University (An Caris - https://www.uhasselt.be/en/onderzoeksgroepen-en/research-group-logistics), we are looking for new PhD students at the KU Leuven Institute for Mobility (https://www.kuleuven.be/lim - LIM). Together, we have three vacancies for fully funded doctoral students for four years. The research topic is situated in the scientific domain of operations research (operational research (OR), “besliskunde”, operations management, distribution logistics).
The CIB research group, partner in LIM, has more than 15 years of experience with applying operations research techniques to supply chain operations. Supported by FWO, we now start a project called “STARSHIP: SusTAinable uRban Supply chains through Horizontal collaboration and Integrating the city Perspective” with three PhD students in three universities. The project aims to explicitly integrate the sustainability and liveability perspective of the cities with the economic and sustainability perspective of supply chain companies, also considering collaboration between supply chain actors.
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This PhD research is part of a practically oriented FWO-research project together with Hasselt University and the University of Antwerp.
Project abstract: Increasingly, cities aim at improving the sustainability and efficiency of their urban supply chains, by restricting the use of certain vehicles or improving collaboration among supply chain actors. Additionally, new technologies and trends are emerging, e.g., micro consolidation centers, sidewalk robots, autonomous vehicles, synchromodality, etc. These trends generate a myriad of difficult intertwined strategic and operational decision problems. Currently, however, the optimization and simulation tools required to support decision-making in such a complex environment are (1) disjointed and scattered across the scientific literature, or (2) not mature enough to adequately handle emerging urban logistic trends. To bridge this gap in the literature, and to aid cities and supply chain actors in modelling and optimizing the supply chains, we propose to develop a comprehensive and complementary suite of urban logistics optimization algorithms for “the” city. These problems of optimizing urban supply chains are typically large-scale, multi-level and multi-objective. In order to appropriately model and solve these problems, significant advances in operations research techniques are required. They will ultimately contribute to improving the understanding of the impact of new technologies, trends, and policies for all urban logistics stakeholders, and support their decisions towards a more sustainable city.
The candidates should have a master’s degree (with distinction) in engineering, business engineering, computer science, informatics or applied mathematics and have an interest in practical applications of quantitative or mathematical techniques and operations research. Basic programming skills are required (at least). Speaking Dutch is recommended, and you should be able to write (and teach) in English.
You will become part of a dynamic international research group with other PhD students at KU Leuven, all working on applying operations research on (closely) related practical problems. Within the project, you will get the opportunity to collaborate with different companies and PhD students from the other universities involved in this project.
For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Pieter Vansteenwegen, tel.: +32 16 32 16 69, mail: pieter.vansteenwegen@kuleuven.be.
The starting date of this research position is preferably October 1, 2024, but other starting dates can be discussed.
More information about our research can be found here:
- https://www.uantwerpen.be/en/research-groups/ant-or/
- https://www.uhasselt.be/en/onderzoeksgroepen-en/research-group-logistics
- https://www.kuleuven.be/lim
To apply, you should include a motivation letter, transcripts of your master’s degree, and your CV, and clearly indicate your skills in operations research, programming, and/or quantitative optimization.
If you have a preference for working at KU Leuven, Hasselt University or University of Antwerp, you should also indicate this.
Even if you graduate only in September 2024, you can apply.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.
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