PhD position in circular sourcing at Tilburg University CentER Graduate School of Business

The Department of Information Systems & Operations Management (ISOM) at Tilburg University is excited to invite applications for a fully funded PhD position focusing on circular sourcing, i.e., sourcing in support of the transition to a circular economy. This transition necessitates a fundamental transformation in how we take, make, use, and no-longer-dispose materials, and involves extending product lifecycles (i.e., slowing the loop), replacing conventional materials with more sustainable alternatives (i.e., narrowing the loop), and moving towards more and higher-value material reuse (i.e., closing the loop). Collectively, these trends aim to advance more responsible production and consumption of materials, one of the grand challenges of our time. At the same time, the circular transition continues to be slower than desired, with progress towards targets waning. This project focuses on the role of purchasing in accelerating the narrowing, slowing and closing of loops, in concerted effort with the multitude of public and private stakeholders usually involved in transitions. Relevant industrial settings include e.g. the construction or capital-intensive assets/ equipment.

The project will primarily rely on qualitative research approaches such as longitudinal case studies. Hence, eligible candidates must possess a solid background in qualitative research. Furthermore, preference will be given to candidates that have taken compulsory or elective master courses in purchasing and supply management or similar.

As a PhD student you will primarily work on the development, implementation and publication of research projects. The Ph.D. dissertation will be a product of the student's creativity and initiative, shaped with guidance from the advisors (Prof.dr.ir. W. van der Valk, co-supervisor(s) tbd), and will demand a strong dedication to scientific exploration. A PhD dissertation at CentER requires the design and execution of 3 studies. The execution of the research work itself typically involves the conceptualization of the research questions and ideas, data collection, qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of the data, and writing and presenting of academic papers. The aim is to publish about those projects in high-quality academic journals. Upon successful completion of your courses and your research work, as demonstrated by a submitted and approved PhD dissertation and the subsequent defense, you will be awarded a doctoral degree by Tilburg University. 

You will be enrolled as a PhD candidate in the world-class PhD program of CentER Graduate School of Business, where you will receive extensive training in theory and methods by taking several PhD-level courses. The courseload amounts to 36 ECTS, which is the equivalent for 6 full courses. The course program is composed by your supervisor and PhD program coordinator.  
There is also a travel budget for attending PhD level courses outside of CentER, work visits and conferences. The training can be adapted to the previous educational achievements of the PhD candidate by mutual agreement with the supervisors. About 80% of the position’s time will be dedicated to the completion of your PhD research, and 20% to the acquisition of academic skills through teaching courses and supervising master/bachelor theses within the department.

1. An academic Master’s or MPhil/Research Master’s degree in operations/ supply chain management, industrial engineering, or another relevant field that is deemed an equivalent to the previous education profile.
2. Completed the previous degree with an excellent GPA (top 10% of class as guideline)
3. Proficiency in English to be proven by means of an IELTS score of at least 7.0, with no sub scores below 6.5, a TOEFL score of at least 100 (internet based) or 600 (paper based), a Cambridge CAE (at least B) or a Cambridge CPE. Exemptions can be provided upon request to native English speakers or to candidates who have obtained their bachelor’s and master’s degree in English in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, or New Zealand.
4. A solid quantitative background, to be proven in one of the following ways:
   
   1. candidates with a MSc or MPhil degree from a Research University in the European Union need to have at least 24 ECTS credits in quantitative and research methods courses during their BSc and/or MSc or MPhil programs. If this is not the case, but you would still like to be considered for admission, you are welcome to hand in a GRE or GMAT test score to show your quantitative competences.
   2. candidates with a MSc or MPhil degree from a university outside the European Union: please provide a recent GRE or GMAT test score.

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment. Our offer includes:

• A position based on 1,0 fte (40 hours per week)A salary of €2,901 gross per month in the first year, up to €3,707 gross per month in the fourth year for full-time employment, based on UFO profile Promovendus and salary scale P.
• This is a vacancy for a temporary position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 8 under b of the CLA DU. You will initially receive a temporary contract for the duration of 18 months to assess your suitability. The evaluation will take place after about 14 months. If suitable, this contract will be followed by a new fixed-term contract of 30 months. (N.B. program is 4 years, full-time).
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.
• The opportunity to work partly on campus and partly from home with a home office allowance of €2 per day.
• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transportation.
• A monthly internet fee of €25.
• An Options Model in which you exchange benefits for things such as additional leave, more pension, a bicycle or personal training at our Sports Center.
• A moving allowance (subject to conditions).
• Employees from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for the 30/20/10% tax facility.
• A pension with ABP; the most sustainable Dutch pension fund.
• Training in personal development, career development, leadership, education, and research or a language course at our Language Center.
• A work culture in which we embrace differences, everyone is welcome and given equal opportunities.
• A vibrant campus in green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport. 

For more information, see our website and the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. 

Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM) is one of Europe’s leading centers for research in business and economics, with research rankings consistently among’s Europe’s top 10 across various business domain. In addition to the strong research focus and collegial research climate, it offers a wide variety of educational programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, with about 7,000 students enrolled. The School is well-connected to both policy makers and industry in the region and internationally, providing ample opportunities for creating impact with research.

Tilburg School of Economics and Management

The Department of Information Systems & Operations Management at TISEM with its world-class academic staff contributes to research published in leading outlets and makes an impact on our industry and NGO partners, and on the livelihoods of millions. Faculty cover a wide range of research topics and methods and belong to the top 10 ISOM research groups in Europe. You will be able to benefit from the department’s strong research focus and its numerous resources (e.g., databases, research seminars, brown bags and reading groups, career planning, skills-enhancement workshops, international conferences, contacts with practitioners, etc.).