Doctoral student in Industrial Engineering and Management - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the work place

The doctoral student will be employed at the Division of Engineering Logistics. The division has 16 employees. We teach and do research in the field of logistics and supply chain management. Our research deals with various aspects of strategy, design, planning and control, measurement, and development of supply chains. Current research areas include global and sustainable supply chains, digitalization, process and business development, purchasing and supplier development as well as retail logistics and automation technology for material handling. The doctoral student will work in the research areas retail logistics and sustainable supply chains. Read more at Division of Engineering Logistics.

Subject description

Industrial engineering and management is a technical-economic subject that deals with design, strategy, planning and control, development and economic assessment of industrial operations. The subject is therefore inherently interdisciplinary and covers industrial economics issues of both strategic and operational nature within all types of businesses. In this project, the focus is on retail logistics and circular flows.

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

The work as a doctoral student in this project involves participating in research on circular economy and sustainable consumption linked to retail logistics and the role of the store/warehouse as circular logistics nodes. The research will take place under the supervision of associate professor Joakim Kembro and Dr. Ebba Eriksson, and the doctoral student will be part of a smaller research group (3 senior researchers and 1-2 doctoral students) focused on retail logistics and material handling. Among other things, the project will examine how stores and warehouses can be used as circular logistics nodes in logistics networks and what is required to scale up circular flows. The research project will be carried out in close collaboration with retail companies that have taken a leading role in this transformation. To understand the opportunities and challenges of the transformation, a large number of relevant actors in the surrounding society are also included. The project combines various scientific methods with an emphasis on qualitative methods such as interview studies, case studies and the Delphi method.

Admission requirements

The applicant meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes by:

• having been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• having satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• having acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

The applicant meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Industrial Engineering and Management by:

• having at least 30 credits at the advanced level of relevance to the focal area.
• being evaluated as having the potential to complete the programme.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the applicant’s potential to absorb and benefit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily based on academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

• Desirable university education is a degree in Industrial Engineering and Management or Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Logistics or Production Management.
• Experience of and/or education in Warehousing, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, especially in retail.
• Experience of and/or education in multidisciplinary research and qualitative research methods (e.g. case studies) and quantitative research methods (e.g. surveys and statistical analysis).
• Good oral and written proficiency in Swedish.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive, and independence, and how the applicant, through proven experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University.

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

We plan to hire 1-2 doctoral students.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

We look forward to receiving your application!