Postdoctoral Fellow in Operations Management (Supply Chain Finance) | Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Eindhoven University of Technology School of Industrial Engineering has a vacancy for a full-time Postdoctoral Fellow in Operations Management (Supply Chain Finance). Starting date: As soon as possible, but no later than 01/01/2014.

The School of Industrial Engineering (IE) at the Eindhoven University of Technology is one of the longest-established IE Schools in Europe, with a strong presence in the international research and education community. At the heart of its academic philosophy is the synergy between research and teaching. The department offers an academic environment in which scholars and students work on critical problems at the interface of engineering, management and innovation. The Operations Planning, Accounting & Control (OPAC) group of the IE school currently consists of 4 full professors, 2 associate professor, 9 assistant professors, 6 postdoctoral fellows, and 24 PhD students. The faculty teach and conduct research in the area of Operations Management, with specific emphasis on operations planning and control in manufacturing, services, logistics and supply chains. Research is generally quantitative in nature, while many of the researchers also engage in empirical research. All research is embedded in Beta, the KNAW-recognized research school for Operations Management & Logistics.

Description of the project

The OPAC group is undertaking a new research project in the area of Supply Chain Finance (SCF). Research in this area addresses the ambition to integrate and optimize informational and financial flows in supply chains. With respect to post-shipment financing, SCF applications such as reverse factoring already have shown that a collaborative approach can create significant value for corporations and SMEs alike. The new research project will extend SCF models and tools to the realm of pre-shipment financing. This entails modeling and analysis of financial transactions that are inherently more risky than the ones now addressed by reverse factoring, but where the potential gains are even greater. The applications will allow firms to facilitate capital flows and manage the associated risks, thereby generating value and enhancing the durability of their supply chains.

Other participants of the project include Nyenrode Business University, Philips, ASML, Heineken, DHL, Friesland Campina, Involvation Interactive, ASYX International, and TradeWiz Solutions.

OPAC seeks a postdoctoral fellow who will work on the SCF project for up to two years.

The research of the postdoctoral fellow will focus on the following topics:

1. Developing models to quantitatively capture the benefits associated with pre-shipment financing mechanisms, such as purchase order financing.

2. Modeling the risk associated with pre-shipment financing mechanisms and developing appropriate risk mitigation strategies.

3. Exploring and analyzing nascent ideas and trends in the area of pre-shipment financing.

The fellow will work with Dr. Arun Chockalingam, Dr. Matthew Reindorp, and Prof. Jan Fransoo.

Tasks

The postdoctoral fellow is expected to conduct research and write research papers on the research project, in close collaboration with the project partners. The position also requires some involvement with teaching activities of the OPAC group (a maximum of 30% of the time), including the supervision of BSc and MSc students that will work on elements of the SCF project with one or more of the industrial partners.

Requirements

The applicant should have completed (or be close to completion of) a PhD degree in industrial engineering, operations management, operations research, econometrics, applied mathematics, or a comparable domain with a solid background in quantitative research methods. Fluency in English is required. Applicant should be able to start no later than 01-01-2014.

Conditions of employment

We offer:

• a challenging postdoctoral appointment for a period of 2 years in a dynamic and ambitious university;

• a gross monthly salary between € 2.919 and € 3.831 (on a full-time basis), depending on experience and knowledge;

• a yearly holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary;

• a yearly end-of-year allowance of 8.3% of the yearly salary;

• a broad package of fringe benefits (including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, savings schemes, and excellent sports facilities).

Application deadline

1 November 2013

For further information please follow the link.