Enhancing Flexibility and Resilience in Vaccine Supply Chains through Modelling and Optimisation

Details

This PhD project aims to advance the flexibility and resilience of vaccine supply chains, focusing on challenges from emerging infectious diseases and the urgent need for rapid vaccine development and distribution. It will develop and optimize models that encompass the entire vaccine supply chain, from development to distribution. These models will identify and analyse potential bottlenecks and vulnerabilities, thereby improving resilience and flexibility. The project will also explore AI-driven techniques, such as graph neural networks and natural language processing, for predicting supply chain disruptions and enhancing visibility. Additionally, the research will evaluate the impact of different supply chain configurations on efficiency, cost, and responsiveness in vaccine manufacturing. A critical aspect will be collaborating with industry partners and stakeholders to validate the models and strategies in real-world contexts.

This PhD project sits within the UK-South East Asia Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub (UK-SEA Vax Hub), funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Under the leadership of the University of Sheffield, the UK-SEA Vax Hub comprises four esteemed UK academic institutions and collaborates with 12 partners from South-East Asian countries. Distinguished by its multidisciplinary expertise in vaccine research and manufacturing, the hub serves as a dynamic platform for scientific innovation. The successful candidate will become an integral member of a highly skilled team of researchers within the hub, contributing to the development of cutting-edge solutions in the field of vaccine manufacturing.

For more information about the research work of Prof. Tiwari and Prof. Brintrup, please visit:

• Prof. Ashutosh Tiwari (https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/acse/department/people/academic/ashutosh-tiwari)  
• Prof. Alexandra Brintrup (https://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/people/ab702/)  

For inquiries or additional information, please reach out to Prof. Ashutosh Tiwari ([email protected]).

Please see this link for information on how to apply: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/acse/phd. Please include the name of your proposed supervisor and the title of the PhD project within your application.

Applicants should have a first class or upper second class honours degree from a relevant topic, such as General/Pharma/Bio/Chemical Engineering and Computer Science.