项目介绍

2024年11月2日

Function

Are you interested in the impact that global and local supply chains have on social aspects? Are you puzzled by the intricacies of real supply chain networks? Do you enjoy theorizing about complex phenomena but are you at the same time a data-driven person? This trail-blazing project on assessing the social sustainability of complex supply chains could then be a great opportunity for you.

Background of the project: The sustainability of supply chains becomes increasingly important. Yet, assessing the sustainability performance of complex supply chains is challenging. In supply chains with multiple flow streams interacting with a variety of actors, the boundaries of what constitutes the supply chain as well as how sustainability aspects of the supply chain are impacted become blurry. Therefore, it is not straightforward how to define the unit of analysis for measuring the various sustainability aspects. This is especially true when considering social sustainability. The impact of flows within the supply chain on social aspects can go beyond the effect those flows may have on the actors that are influencing the performance of the supply chain, thereby affecting stakeholders not directly involved in the supply chain operations.

In this PhD project, you will develop and apply a framework for social sustainability assessment of complex supply chains encountered for agrifood and pharmaceuticals. In addition, you will study which supply chain outcomes, either economic, environmental, or social, are key in determining the overall social impact.

You will work here
The research is embedded within the chair Operations Research and Logistics (www.wur.eu/orl), which is led by Prof. Sander de Leeuw. You will be co-supervised by dr. Ellen Slegers and dr. Rodrigo Romero-Silva.

The group consists of 13 academics and a brilliant team of PhD students focusing their research on operations and supply chain issues in food and bio-based supply chains. Within this scope, the core research areas of the group are:

• operations and supply chain performance analysis;
• the strategic configuration of network structures;
• the tactical and operational planning of material flows.

In addition to traditional efficiency goals, our research also aims to improve sustainability, product quality and safety, as well as health and nutrition. Current examples of research are the design and operation of circular supply chains, the management of disruptions in food supply chains, the connection between changing diets and sustainable supply chain design, the operations in omni-channel retail, the management of not-for-profit supply chains, and supply chain planning to minimize waste

Function Requirements

First and foremost, you are a thinker and doer who is able to develop concepts on their own.

You also have :

• a successfully completed MSc degree in a relevant discipline such as Operations/Supply Chain Management, Systems Engineering & Management, Complex Systems Science or similar study with a focus on quantitative methods for systems analysis and design;
• first and foremost, you are a thinker and doer who is able to develop concepts on their own;
• ability to give structure to complex, real-world problems;
• interest in mapping and quantitatively measuring complex supply chain networks;
• an open mind to consider a multi-disciplinary approach;
• an eagerness to further develop methods for social sustainability assessment.

For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level. Sometimes it is necessary to submit an internationally recognised Certificate of Proficiency in the English Language. More information can be found here.

Contactinformation

For more information about this position, please contact Dr. Ellen Slegers, ellen.slegers@wur.nl

For more information about the procedure, please contact Noorien Abbas, corporate recruiter, recruitment.ssg@wur.nl .