We are seeking for

Kühne Logistics University (KLU) in Hamburg is investigating new approaches and methodologies to advance the use of data and analytics for supply chain management in collaboration with Evonik, one of the world’s leading specialty chemicals companies. To support our research team, we are looking for a  Research Associate & PhD student  "Next-generation demand planning Evonik" (gn*).

Research topic
Demand planning is typically considered the starting point of all supply chain planning. With better and more agile demand plans companies across industries can offer better customer service, reduce costs and improve sustainability. However, it is often a cumbersome and error-prone process, challenged by numerous uncertainties. Against this background, there is strong interest at our research partner to leverage latest state-of-the-art solutions for improving demand planning while enabling supply chain planners to manage the decision explosion efficiently. Here, latest AI and ML methodologies can support planners in their day-to-day work but need to be carefully monitored and calibrated, e.g. planners need to set the right thresholds for alerts that allow anomaly detection or need to interact with GenAI models to better understand particularly high or low forecasts. Moreover, coordinating demand with production plans to ensure feasibility at multiple levels poses a new challenge. The availability of innovative data sources and advanced machine learning models presents a significant opportunity to refine these planning processes. Our goal is to develop improved best practices and support shaping the next-generation of demand planning at Evonik.

Your Responsibilities

You will conduct rigorous research to understand the best practices in next-generation demand planning. The four-year project will have three individual deep dives that will be tailored according to the shared interests of all parties involved. You collaborate closely with the Evonik’s supply chain excellence team and work under the academic guidance of Prof. Dr. Kai Hoberg. The insights gleaned from your research will be developed into academic journal articles and presentations at leading scientific conferences that will form the basis of your PhD dissertation.

Your qualifications

Requirements for employment are a very good degree in industrial engineering, business administration, mechanical engineering, business informatics, mathematics, or a similar field and the willingness to do research and scientific work within the scope of the task. Additionally, first experiences in the supply chain management environment are required. We expect you to have very good communication skills, both in dealing with academic colleagues and with the contacts in the company. You should demonstrate strong analytical skills, enjoy working independently and responsibly, and have fun dealing with large amounts of data. Very good IT skills (data analytics, databases, programming) are an advantage. Good command of the German language is a requirement.
 
PhD KLU supports the scientific employee in writing a dissertation on the research topic. As a state-recognized university, KLU has the right to award doctoral degrees. The dissertation is usually done cumulatively on the basis of three scientific papers.

We offer

We offer an attractive salary and a personal, annual research budget to cover research-related costs (e.g., conference visits, research colloquia, hardware and software). In addition, tuition fees for doctoral studies at KLU are waived. KLU guarantees very good working conditions, a very positive working atmosphere, as well as a dedicated team and an international environment with a high degree of creative freedom. The position is planned for three years with the possibility to extnend one year. At KLU, you will work with open-minded and ambitious colleagues in an international, multicultural atmosphere at the attractive HafenCity location. Part of the research can be conducted in collaboration with a research partner abroad (e.g. University of Sydney, Oxford University, or Kedge Business School).

We value diversity
We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion and belief, disability, age and sexual orientation, and identity.

Contact

We look forward to receiving your complete application (cover letter, resume, relevant certificates). Please submit your application to us via email at klu-jobs@m. or through the 'Apply' button.

If you have any questions, please contact . For questions regarding qualifications and requirements concerning the advertised vacancy, please contact the supervisor Prof. Dr. Kai Hoberg directly, @the-. For further questions on the PhD program please see: .

The application deadline is July 10, 2024. Interviews can be held before the application deadline if needed. The start date should be September 1, 2024 but is ultimately defined based on the availability of the successful canddiate.

gn = gender neutral

About us

Kühne Logistics University - Wissenschaftliche Hochschule für Logistik und Unternehmensführung (KLU) is a private university founded in 2010 and based in Hamburg's HafenCity. The independent, state-approved university focuses on the areas of logistics and management. As a boutique university, KLU offers its students and doctoral candidates a high degree of specialization and excellent study conditions. KLU Executive Education offers advanced training programs for specialists and managers within the framework of seminars and summer schools. We offer our employees exciting projects and challenging responsibilities in an innovative environment. Contribute your skills to a strong team that significantly influences and drives the development of our university.