Your role in the SOUL project
The project will develop tools and techniques for sustainable urban logistics. The Tilburg Work Package, apart from project coordination, includes specific contributions on quality of work of delivery drivers (likely using econometric methods) and management of public space for vehicle parking (likely using stochastic process methods). The postdoctoral researcher is expected to conduct research in collaboration with our research partners on these topics, publish the results in academic journals, create impact with our partner cities, in particular Bordeaux in France, and assist the project leaders with overall coordination, project reporting, and event organization. The position is funded by the Dutch Research Council NWO.

Embedding
You will be embedded in the productive, collegial, and engaged Information and Supply Chain Management (ISCM) Research Group at Tilburg University. The group consists of faculty, lecturers, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD candidates. The Information and Supply Chain Management Research Group is a growing high-quality high-impact research group in Tilburg University’s School of Economics and Management. Faculty span a wide range of research topics and methods. Recently, we have grown substantially in size and in research output, with in particular an outstanding group of junior and mid-career faculty. Our leading faculty publish in premier outlets such as those in the FT50 journal list.  The ISCM Group is part of the Department of Management in the Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM). TISEM is the largest school of Tilburg University. It benefits from a strong research reputation, for instance exemplified by the recent top-10 ranking in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (“Shanghai Ranking”) for the field of business administration.

1. A doctoral/PhD degree in operations management, supply chain management, industrial engineering, operations research, or similar degrees, with demonstrable evidence of having conducted model-based research work using econometric, optimization, and/or stochastic process techniques. The degree should demonstrate an excellent background in analytical skills. The doctoral degree must be (ABD) completed by September 1, 2023.
2. Excellent English-language academic writing skills in accordance with the standards of the best journals in our field.
3. Demonstrable project management skills, and ideally also project management experience, in an international setting. Experience in collaborating with Chinese Academics in an advantage.If you have any of the following additional skills or evidence of skills, please include them specifically in your application, as they can be of value in the selection process:
4. Knowledge of Python / R programming and/or other evidence of data science skills (including certificates obtained through online education)
5. Evidence of econometric and/or data science work conducted with empirical data.
6. Evidence of prior research work, exemplified by a doctoral dissertation or academic papers.
7. Working knowledge of French or Chinese is an asset to the project (but not required to apply).

Fixed-term contract: 3 years.

Tilburg University is rated among the top Dutch employers and has excellent terms of employment. The appointment will be fulltime for the total of 36 months. The probationary period according to the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CLA) is 2 months. The salary amounts to a minimum of €2960 and a maximum of €4670 gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile Researcher 4 and salary scale 10 of the CLA. In addition, there is a holiday allowance (8% of the annual salary, in May), and end-of-year bonus (8.3% of the annual salary, in December). Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system for salary scaling that is based on work experience. 

All university employees are covered by the so-called civil servants pension fund (ABP). Researchers from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a tax-free allowance equal to 30% of their taxable salary. The university will apply for such an allowance on their behalf. The university offers very good fringe benefits (it is one of the best non-profit employers in the Netherlands), such as an options model for terms and conditions of employment and excellent reimbursement of moving expenses.

Tilburg University

Tilburg University is one of Europe’s leading universities in the fields of business and economics, ranking #5 in Europe in the field of Business Research (UT Dallas World Ranking) and #20 in Economics & Business Worldwide (US News Ranking 2021). The School of Economics and Management has 7,000 students (26% international) and 400 academic staff (50% international).  The campus provides a green, academically centered environment with modern facilities and convenient local transportation.  Tilburg’s central position in the Benelux offers excellent regional and international access.  English is the working language of the university.

Tilburg School of Economics and Management

Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM) staat hoog aangeschreven. Het onderzoek, verenigd in CentER, behoort tot de Europese top. De Bachelor- en Masteropleidingen, waarvan er drie Bachelors en zestien Masters volledig in het Engels worden verzorgd, staan op de internationale kaart met het in 2002 verworven AACSB-keurmerk. Medewerkers en studenten vormen een ambitieuze, internationale gemeenschap.

Tilburg School of Economics and Management