The Mercator Chair is part of the Supply Chain Management Group (ranked 9th worldwide in the SCM Journal list in 2022) and focuses on developing novel digital technologies to enable sustainable transport. A major theme is the combination of demand management concepts (such as dynamic pricing or availability control of services) and classical transport and logistics management (such as route optimisation), as well as enhancing sustainability.
The focus of the chair is on mathematical modeling in the intersection of these areas (such as “dynamic pricing of transportation services”). Typically, these problems involve mathematical optimization, machine learning etc., and are often developed on the basis of data from partner companies. The topic of the doctoral thesis in this area is open and will be based on common interests.
- The post is paid at 50 % full-time equivalent to enable you to complete your dissertation in 2 to 3 years. As internal doctoral candidate, there are no tuition fees.
- Your main task will be your Ph.D. project in one or several of the following domains: transport optimisation, transportation-related analytics, revenue management.
- You will benefit from an existing network with well-known researchers at international top universities and practitioners, involving participation in on-going collaborations.
- Your focus will be scholarly publications for highly ranked international refereed journals.
- You will to a very limited extent be engaged in teaching support at the Chair, e. g., you may invigilate and mark exams (most relevant courses have
- You should have an excellent Masters degree in a quantitative subject such as business mathematics (Wirtschaftsmathematik), operations research, data science, computer science, industrial engineering or similar. An excellent business degree with substantial quantitative content will also be considered.
- You have successfully completed your studies or will do so soon.
- You can work independently, enjoy working in teams and are goal oriented.
- You possess very good skills in English (writing and speaking).
- You ideally possess programming skills (e. g. in Python, R, Matlab) or at least the willingness to acquire them.
Academic Environment
WHU has more than 50 faculty members in the fields of management, finance and accounting, economics, entrepreneurship and innovation, marketing and sales, and supply chain management. Research at WHU aims to adhere to three principles: quality, internationality, and practical relevance.
The application deadline is July 15, 2022. For questions please contact: