PhD Candidate in Sustainable Logistics

The School of Management of Politecnico di Milano is looking for a PhD candidate to work in the area of Logistics. Politecnico di Milano, with over 45,000 students, is the most outstanding technical university of Italy and among the best technical universities in Europe and in the world. The School of Management (SoM) is composed of the Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering and the POLIMI Graduate School of Management, and includes about 300 among faculty members, postdocs and PhD students.

The Logistics research group is composed of 11 professors and 8 PhD candidates and post-docs. The group provides a friendly, stimulating environment that encourages personal and professional development and is especially supportive of young scholars.

We are looking for a PhD candidate in the field of Logistics that has a specific interest in undertaking research activities on topics related to the design and management of complex logistics systems in the context of current sustainable challenges. Specifically, the PhD project will investigate the opportunities related to new sustainable logistics models and managerial approaches towards sustainable logistics systems.

Possible specific investigation areas are (but not limited to):

·       net zero logistics and environmental impact of logistics processes

·       sustainable practices for transport and logistics nodes 

·       social sustainability in logistics

·       digitalization and human-machine interaction in logistics systems

·       urban mobility

Research Methods

Emerging trends, such as Sustainability and Energy-efficiency, Automation, Digital Innovation, B2c eCommerce and Omni-channel Retailing have provided new challenges in the Logistics field. To face these challenges, the Logistics Group adopts a multi-disciplinary research approach that combines empirical techniques (e.g. case studies and surveys), modelling and analytical tools, theoretical methods, as well as applied research with prominent Italian and multinational companies. In line with this approach, permanent research initiatives have been activated since 1999 (e.g. Observatories on B2c eCommerce, Contract Logistics, Internet of Things).

Expected Tasks

The candidates are expected to refer to their Supervisor and collaborate with the colleagues of the Group during the development of their PhD research project. The candidates will also have the chance to support the Faculty in teaching activities at the School of Management. They will be working in close collaboration with the Faculty and other PhD students of the Logistics research group.

The selected candidates are expected to attend and present their research results at international conferences and to publish the findings in prestigious international journals. The selected candidates will also participate in activities and/or projects within the School of Management that are relevant to their research thesis. They will also have the opportunity to develop formal collaborations with international universities (a 6-month visiting period abroad will be organised) and with both Italian and multinational companies and organisations.

Requirements

The candidate should:

·       Hold a MSc in Management Engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or related disciplines;

·       Have good proficiency in English;

·       Show the ability and willingness to work in a culturally and academically diverse environment.

Technical and Personal skills

Interest in research and in logistics-related issues, quantitative analysis and data processing skills, accuracy and attention to the quality of the outputs, good writing skills, ability to manage time/deadlines/priorities, proactivity, spirit of initiative, curiosity, ability to work in a team are some of the expected technical and personal skills.

Scholarships and financial support

·       Monthly net income of PhD scholarship: 1,450 €/month;

·       Additional funds to support research activities and for stays abroad.

Disclaimer: this is a preliminary call for interest. The public call will follow soon.

Interested candidates should send an email to [Email Address Removed] and [Email Address Removed] by 30^th June 2023. The email should include:

1) a cover letter motivating their interest and why they are the ideal candidates for this position;

2) a CV;

3) a description of a tentative research idea and proposal (2-page maximum) 

All correspondence and expressions of interest will be kept strictly confidential. The School is committed to favor ethnic and gender diversity and guarantees equal opportunities in recruitment and career.

The subject line of the email should read: “Expression of interest: PhD Sustainable Logistics”.