PhD Position in Dynamic Demand-Supply Matching in Multimodal Supply Chains

Key takeaways

The PhD research will be performed as part of an NWA project funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) called "It's a cargo match! - Attaining waste-free and effective freight transport systems by seamlessly matching demand and supply with inclusive, smart, and green-oriented booking platforms". The goal of this project is to conceive a platform of platforms for multimodal freight transport services to match transport jobs with transport resources in dynamic and stochastic environments. Operational matching decisions should be quick and transparent, but at the same time anticipate future uncertainties and strive for high system efficiency. In this context, (multi-agent) reinforcement learning algorithms need to be designed to support online decision-making, both at the individual actor level and at the global system level. Concretely, the PhD candidate will perform research on the following aspects:

• Understand how AI methodologies can facilitate dynamic supply-side decisions
• Understand how AI methodologies can facilitate dynamic demand-side decisions
• Understand how AI methodologies can proactively facilitate dynamic matching of supply and demand

The challenge

The platform economy is on the rise, exemplified by popular booking platforms in the airline- and hospitality industries. These platforms favour synchronization and matching between supply and demand, thereby offering better capacity utilization. In a similar fashion, freight transport services could be matched to transport requests, consequently enhancing sustainability, agility, and resilience of supply chains.

However, deploying such platforms is complex, due to the variety of transport modes and cargo features, conservative business models, and rigid mindsets that limit the opportunities for interconnected networks and visibility of transport options. Thus, there are many hurdles to overcome to design successful platforms for the freight transport sector.

This PhD position focuses on algorithmic design to support online decision-making. By leveraging real-time data, developed algorithms dynamically respond to shifting demand and supply, as well as events such as delays. A combination of approximate mechanism design, market mechanisms, multi-agent system modelling, machine learning, and heuristics procedures will be investigated to support a well-functioning freight transport platform.

Within this project, you will have the opportunity to work not only with colleagues at the HBE department of the University of Twente, but also with researchers from TU Delft, with the opportunity for regular visits to TU Delft, and with our industrial partners from the logistics sector.

We look for a highly motivated, enthusiastic researcher who is driven by curiosity and has/is:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Industrial Engineering, Operations research, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics, Finance, or related discipline;
• Affinity and/or experience with machine learning, optimization techniques, and (multi-agent) simulation;
• A good team spirit and feel at home in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment;
• Able to do independent research and willing to develop writing and publication skills;
• Exhibit a strong passion and possess outstanding skills in algorithmic design;
• Possess good communication skills and an excellent command of English.

We encourage high responsibility and independence, while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff and partners. We follow the terms of employment by the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO). Our offer contains: a fulltime 4-year PhD position with a qualifier in the first year; excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities; and a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. It also includes:

• Gross monthly salary of € 2.770 in the first year, increasing each year up to € 3.539 in the fourth year;
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• 29 holidays per year in case of full-time employment;
• A training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;
• A green campus with free access to sports facilities and an international scientific community;
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
• A full status as an employee at the UT, including pension, health care benefits and good secondary conditions are part of our collective labour agreement CAO-NU for Dutch universities.

The HBE cluster is dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive working culture. Our aim is that all job applicants are given equal opportunities. When we select candidates for employment, it will be on the basis of their competence and ability. To support the workforce diversity, we are open to offer flexible working conditions on an individual basis to support work-life balance, that may include contract of employment, working hours and location, or child care arrangements.

Please have a look at our video to learn more about our department.

The High Business Entrepreneurship corporate video can be watched via this link.