PhD position in Operations Management

Information science » Information management

Organisation/Company KU LEUVEN Department Faculty of Business and Economics Research Field Computer science » Informatics Computer science » Programming Economics » Econometrics Economics » Business economics Information science » Information management Mathematics » Discrete mathematics Mathematics » Applied mathematics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Final date to receive applications 22 Mar 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 15 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number BAP-2026-95 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

The Operations Management Research Group of KU Leuven (Belgium) is offering a position for a full‑time PhD student. The position is associated with a research project that aims to integrate human preferences and fairness considerations into scheduling processes such as surgery, patient or staff scheduling using multi‑objective optimisation or machine‑learning approaches and analysing efficiency‑fairness trade‑offs. The research will be conducted under the supervision of Prof.

Laura Maria Poreschack of the Research Centre for Operations Management located on the campus Brussels and Leuven. This research should lead to a PhD‑degree within four years. The research centre for Operations Management covers a wide range of challenging topics in different areas of operations management. KU Leuven is the largest university in Belgium and is consistently ranked among the top 50 universities worldwide.

In addition to its historic main campus in Leuven, the university has multiple campuses in cities such as Brussels and Antwerp, offering a vibrant and internationally connected academic environment. KU Leuven collaborates with more than 450 partner institutions across the globe, fostering strong international research networks.

Note that this research track offers flexibility for the PhD researcher to develop their own research ideas, and that plans or topics may evolve based on advancements in academic literature or emerging opportunities. Nonetheless, the primary objective remains to publish high‑quality research papers on this topic while ensuring practical relevance and/or a meaningful impact on teaching.

• You have a master’s degree in Engineering, Business, Mathematics, Econometrics, or data/computer science (or a similar degree with an equivalent academic level).
• You have a solid, mathematically‑oriented academic background in the topics related to this PhD position. Good knowledge of combinatorial optimisation (scheduling problems, mathematical modelling, etc.), machine‑learning and/or strong programming skills are an asset.
• You have an interest in supply chain management and the potential applications of data‑driven methodologies and algorithms.
• You can do independent research (demonstrated, e.g., by an excellent MSc thesis).
• You have excellent command of spoken and written English.
• You are expected to participate in seminars and (international) conferences, and to enrol in the PhD programme of the Faculty of Economics and Business, which entails 21 ECTS of relevant coursework during the first year of the PhD. The candidates also give guidance to students, are involved in teaching activities and in the supervision and correction of exams.

You will find a dynamic and pleasant working environment in Brussels and Leuven, in a group that is actively involved in scientific research at the highest international level. The contract is offered initially for one year with an extension up to four years after a positive evaluation. The tentative starting date is 15 September 2026, depending on the availability of the candidate.

Please apply via the KU Leuven jobsite.

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Laura Maria Poreschack, mail: laura