PhD position in the field of Global Supply Chain Management

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has enjoyed an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative center of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Belonging to the best research universities of Europe and joining forces with prestigious partner universities and networks, the University of Groningen is truly an international place of knowledge.

Faculty of Economics and Business
The Faculty of Economics and Business offers an inspiring study and working environment for students and employees. International accreditation enables the Faculty to assess performance against the highest international standards. It also creates an exciting environment of continuous improvement. FEB's programmes, academic staff and research do well on various excellence ranking lists.

FEBRI, the graduate school and research institute of the Faculty of Economics and Business has available

One PhD position in the field of “Global Supply Chain Management”

Project description
Production networks and supply chains of industries such as apparel, electronics and toys have become highly globalized in the past four decades, a period that was characterized by declining trade barriers and decreasing transportation costs. Recently, however, increasing geo-political tensions between major economic entities such as China, USA, and EU are threatening to reverse the tide of globalization. Such tensions will likely force firms to reconfigure their production networks and supply chain systems. This project aims to provide in-depth insights into firms’ responses to these fundamental changes, particularly multinational firms that have largely outsourced their production processes and diversified their supply chains. Relevant topics for this project include, but are not confined to

1. Reconfiguring global manufacturing networks, in response to increasing geopolitical tensions
2. Strategies for increasing supply chain responsiveness and resilience
3. The roles of reshoring, nearshoring, and diversification in supply chain risk management
4. Supply chain sustainability strategies.

Applicants can also propose other research topics relevant to global supply chain management in a short research proposal.

Organisation
The PhD position is embedded in the research programme Opera of FEB’s Research Institute. The project will be supervised by dr. Chengyong Xiao and prof. dr. Taco van der Vaart.

The ideal candidate is ambitious, highly motivated and wishes to make a career in research. He or she has a thorough training in research skills, speaks and writes English fluently and has obtained excellent results in the master phase.

The PhD candidate should have a background (MSc, research master) in international business, operations management, industrial engineering, or other related fields in business and economics.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

- A gross monthly salary of € 2,901 which increases yearly to a maximum of € 3,707.
- Based on the gross salary an additional 8% holiday allowance each year in May, and an additional 8.3 % end of year bonus in December.
- A temporary full-time appointment for a period of four years, under the condition of a positive assessment at the end of the first year. PhD candidates contribute 20% of their time to teaching in years 2-4.

Starting date: Preferably per September 1, 2025

An assessment may be part of the procedure, consisting of psychological tests and an interview.

For more general information, please send an email to
febphdvacancies@rug.nl

Dr Chengyong Xiao (for more information on this specific project)
c.xiao@rug.nl