Position Description

In an omni-channel retail environment, consumers can switch between available channels throughout their shopping journey. For example, consumers can visit stores to touch/feel/try the product, and then they can purchase it through online channels - sometimes at competitors. This kind of consumer behavior can hurt omni-channel retailers' top- and bottom-line due to varying cost structures across available channels. This project deals with optimization of a multi-channel retailer's tactical and operational level decisions regarding pricing, advertising, and inventory management in the face of evolving consumer behavior and various cost structures across available channels. By taking these dynamics into account, this project strives to provide insights into 'optimal demand shaping' policies that lie in the Marketing - Operations Management interface through quantitative modeling and/or empirical studies.

Skills

Applicants should have completed (or is close to completing) a Master's degree (or equivalent) in industrial engineering, operations research, operations management, computer science, mathematics, management science, or a related field with a solid analytical background. 

Background

The Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) invites applications for a PhD fellowship funded by the European Training Network PERFORM, a Marie Sklodowska Curie action of the European Commision.

Host Supervisor: The PhD student will be jointly supervised by Asst. Prof. Nevin Mutlu and Prof. Tom Van Woensel within the OPAC (Operations, Planning, Accounting and Control) Group of the School of Industrial Engineering at TU/e.

Host Institution: TU/e is a research university specializing in engineering science & technology. The School of Industrial Engineering is one of the longest-established IE Schools in Europe, with a strong presence in the international research, design, and education community, especially in the field of Operations Management and Operations Research. The graduate programs (MSc, PDEng, and PhD) in Operations Management & Logistics attract top-level candidates from all over the world. The OPAC Group closely collaborates with industry partners, and has an excellent track record of conducting practice-based research. The research and education at the OPAC group of the School of Industrial Engineering has specific emphasis on:

Planning and Control in Manufacturing, Services, and Supply Chains;

Distribution Logistics;

Maintenance and Reliability;

Finance and Accounting, oriented towards operational processes.

Secondments: This position includes 2 secondments to a partner organisation. The planned secondments will be to

BlueRock Logistics (under supervision of Prof. Dr. Hein Fleuren and Wouter Lammerse), in month 18 for 2 months, for 'concept feedback'.

BlueRock Logistics (under supervision of Prof. Dr. Hein Fleuren and Wouter Lammerse), in month 30 for 2 months, for 'model testing and validation'. 

Eligibility

The applicants need to meet a number of requirements to be eligible for this position.

Mobility rule: Researchers can be of any nationality, but they shall not have resided or carried out their main activity in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment.

Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) rule: Applicants must have obtained their qualifying Master's (or equivalent) degree within the past four years at the time of recruitment.

Language Skills: Applicants should have professional knowledge in (Scientific) English language (B2/C1).

Further information on employment at TU/e: Prospective applicants can check TU/e's employment page at https://www.tue.nl/en/university/working-at-tue/working-conditions/ for further information about working at TU/e.

Requirements

You have completed (or you are close to completing) a Master's degree (or equivalent) in industrial engineering, operations research, operations management, computer science, mathematics, management science, or a related field with a solid analytical background. 

You have a strong affinity with interdisciplinary research, as well as collaboration with industry.

You have potential and ambition to become a high-level scholar with an interest in supply chain management related to omni-channel retail environment.

You are able to work on a challenging topics related to the subject.

Your communication skills are excellent as is your proficiency in English and your ability to collaborate in an international setting. 

We offer:

A challenging job in a dynamic and ambitious university.

A PhD appointment for a period of 4 years with target start date of September 1, 2018.

A competitive salary with holiday allowance and a broad package of fringe benefits (including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, savings schemes, coverage of costs of publishing the dissertation and excellent sports facilities).

The successful applicants are employed on fixed term employment contracts and are enrolled in PhD programmes. Also, they will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the Marie Curie PERFORM regulations for early stage researchers.