PhD student position in Operations Research – KU Leuven

Overview

Topic:
Data-driven Methods for the Inventory Routing Problems with Pickups and Deliveries

We are looking for a full-time PhD student to do research in the field of Operations Research under the supervision of Prof. Jeroen Belien (Operations Management research group, Faculty of Economics and Business, KU Leuven, campus Brussels) and Prof. Tias Guns (Declarative Languages and Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Engineering Science, KU Leuven, campus Arenberg). We offer a fully funded position for a period of 4 years (upon yearly positive evaluation);

this work should lead to a PhD degree.

The PhD researcher will work on the Inventory-Routing Problem with Pickups and Deliveries (IRP-PD) under demand and supply uncertainty. The IRP-PD requires the joint optimization of inventory and routing decisions to minimize total costs, including transportation costs, inventory holding costs, and shortage costs at various locations (nodes) over multiple time periods. In real-world applications, demand and supply values at these nodes are subject to uncertainty, which complicates logistics planning and decision-making.

To tackle this challenge, we aim to develop efficient data-driven methods. These methods will integrate machine learning techniques and real-time sensor data, to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure desired service levels, such as meeting a high percentage of demand without shortages. The project will explore the use of historical demand and supply data, along with auxiliary information, within a Predict-then-Optimize (PtO) framework.

This PtO framework will leverage machine learning to generate more accurate demand and supply predictions, which will then be used in the optimization process. The project will also investigate the strategic use of real-time sensor inputs from a subset of nodes to improve dynamic routing and inventory decisions in IRP-PD. By leveraging data-driven methods, this project aims to provide novel solution methods for effectively managing uncertainty and improving the quality of decisions in IRP-PD.

Although the focus is definitely on research, the candidate can be asked to give guidance to Bachelor and Master students, to be involved in teaching and to supervise and correct exams.

The successful candidate will be able to enrol in a fulltime PhD position at the Operations Management research group (Faculty of Economics and Business) of KU Leuven. Successful completion of the PhD project will lead to obtaining a doctoral degree (PhD). He/she will find a dynamic and pleasant working environment in Brussels and Leuven, in groups that are actively involved in scientific research at the highest international level.

Candidates will be expected to participate in seminars and (international) conferences.

For this position, we are looking for someone with the following characteristics and assets:

• You recently completed your master’s degree (or are about to complete it in 2026) in Engineering, Business Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, Operations Research, Operations Management, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a similar degree with an equivalent academic level. Excellent (honors level or higher) results in prior studies are a requirement.
• You have a solid, mathematically oriented background, strong programming skills, and a keen interest in operations research.
• You can conduct independent research (demonstrated, e.g., by an excellent MSc thesis) as well as collaborate well in teams.
• You have excellent command of spoken and written English and are equipped with good communication skills.
• You are willing to participate in seminars and conferences, be internationally mobile and to enroll in the PhD program of the Faculty of Economics and Business at KU Leuven, which entails 21-ECTS of relevant coursework. You will also give guidance to students, be involved in teaching activities and in the supervision of exams.

Offer

• A fulltime PhD position of maximum four years (upon successful yearly evaluations).
• An interesting and diverse job.
• A correct and beneficial salary (conform the official university scales, salary scale 43).
• Numerous…