The PhD project forms part of the Intensive Industrial Innovation Programme (IIIP) which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The IIIP Programme is a collaboration between Durham, Newcastle and Teesside and Northumbria Universities and aims to encourage a culture of innovation that benefits business, leading to greater export opportunities and increased graduate employment.
The Programme enables small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop new products and services.
This project will be a collaboration between Northumbria University and NBT Group Ltd.
As a supply chain solution SME, NBT Group supports organisations by more effectively controlling the acquisition and storage of their non-core materials and components, enabling the customer to focus on their core business. NBT Group’s vision is to change the B2B market, to automate and lean all its supply chain processes. To achieve this vision, they need to solve the data problem and develop a framework to make the transition.
The PhD will be delivered part-time at each site with 3 days/week at Northumbria University and 2 days/week at NBT Group Ltd.
NBT Group plans to automate most of the supply chain management processes in the future. However, to achieve this goal there are some barriers which require further research, for example, data matching, system integration, process etc. In this PhD project, the overall research aim is to understand the data characteristics and process and develop a framework for B2B supply chain automation. Specifically, the objectives of the project are as follows:
· Understand and map the entire business process, highlighting inefficient touchpoints
· Understand the current data set, how it flows and what is potentially missing from a big data set
· Develop an AI-based, technology-led framework that will automate all administrative tasks in NBT, the client and the supplier
· Develop AI driven logistics framework that minimise cost and the environmental impact
· Minimise all human intervention by investing in Industry 4.0 and IoT that connects the clients’ own technologies and systems to NBT’s technology that then integrates to the supplier that dictates their arriving efficiently from suppliers
· Develop one standard system across the whole business that is scalable within the numerous B2B sectors
A mixed research method is required. Qualitative methods will be used to understand the business process and develop a framework for the supply chain automation transition. Quantitative methods through a case study, particularly machine learning methods, will be used to explore the data integration problem.
Candidates with Knowledge in Supply Chain Management and process analysis are needed. Strong Computer Science background, particularly machine learning or artificial intelligence, will be desirable.
Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
· Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (Ref: ERDF21/BL/MOS/SHOKRI) will not be considered.
Deadline for applications: Midnight 14th November 2021
Interviews will be arranged to take place between Late November 2021
PhD Start Date: ASAP
Northumbria University is an equal opportunities provider and in welcoming applications for studentships form all sectors of the community we strongly encourage applications from women and under-represented groups.
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