PhD position in "Data-driven optimization for Smart and Circular reverse logistics management" - MSCA Cofund SEED programme

2 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

IMT Atlantique

Department

Doctoral division

Research Field

Computer science

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

14 Feb 2024 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE / MSCA COFUND

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101126644

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description
The PhD position is offered under academic cosupervision/ cotutelle track (2 years at IMT Atlantique + 1 year at University of Adelaide, Australia + short industrial visits (not yet determined)).
1.1. Domain and scientific/technical context

Reverse logistics is the process of designing, operating, controlling, and maintaining effective and economic- efficient material, information, and capital flows of both end-of-use (EOU) and end-of-life (EOL) products for maximal value recovery and proper disposal of non-recyclables (Kannan et al., 2023). Even though reverse logistics has been considered a fundamental part of sustainable development and circular economy, improper recycling activities may result in negative environmental and societal impacts (Julianelli et al., 2020). For example, the large export volume of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) from the developed countries, i.e., US, EU, and Japan, to the developing countries in Southeast Asia not only causes increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to maritime transportation but also poses significant threats to the workers and the environment due to the primitive and low-tech recycling methods used. The lack of proper management of WEEE has faced serious challenges to the life of living organisms and the environment. Nowadays, many industries have realized that using circular economy (CE) is a competitive advantage for them, so they try to involve CE in all their supply chain network (SCN) processes (Mardan et al., 2019). Thus, managing a reverse logistics needs to balance the trade-off among economic, environmental, and societal dimensions of sustainable development and also needs to deal with risks and uncertainties in the reverse network (Govindan et al., 2017; Govindan and Fattahi, 2017).

1.2. Scientific/technical challenges

The recently raised concept of Industry 4.0 provides new opportunities for smart and circular reverse logistics management (Ivanov and Dolgui, 2020; Olsen et al., 2020; Choi et al., 2022; Ardolino et al., 2022). The application of Industry 4.0 technologies in e-waste management leads to cost reduction, increasing consumers' willingness to return EOL products, improving the performance of the collection and recycling centers, and increasing the environmental efficiency of the SCN. Thus, the thesis will focus on circular reverse logistics network design (CRLND) under uncertain environment.

The related CRLND models will be reviewed and further investigated. The thesis focuses on developing a data driven multi objective for smart decision-supports of circular reverse logistics management. Then, several types of problems will be addressed (mentioned below). In each problem, we will focus on considering real cases from France and Australia to develop robust and optimized decisions.

• to configure a resilience reverse network for managing WEEE.
• optimize strategic and operational decisions in a circular RLND with the aim of WEEE
• data driven based decision-supports of circular reverse logistics management for managing WEEE

1.3. Considered methods, targeted results and impacts

To solve the above problems, the PhD student will develop operations research models and optimization algorithms to find sustainable and robust solutions. Depending on the problem setting, the student will develop models which utilizes data driven optimization techniques, stochastic programming models, and robust optimization models to address the above problems. The resulting models and algorithms will be published in international journals such as EJOR, POM, OMEGA, IJPR, IJPE, Transportation Science, and so on. In collaboration with companies in Australia and France, relevant case studies will be defined for the validation of the models and algorithms. We expect that the proposed solution will facilitate and promote the use of data driven models for circular reverse logistics network design for managing WEEE.

The project offers three major opportunities:

• Regarding the handling of uncertainty in optimization algorithms and Industry 4.0 technologies, this is a topic that has been identified as strategic in modelis and for which there is a strong dynamic in the team.
• Regarding circular Economy, Reverse logistics, Supply Chain network design, Kannan Govindan is internationally recognized expert on this topic, which has not yet been investigated in Nantes.
• Regarding the new connection with University of Adelaide in Australia.

2. Partners and study periods
2.1. Supervisors and study periods

• IMT Atlantique: Prof. Alexandre Dolgui , IMT Atlantique, Nantes, France

  The PhD student will stay 2 years at Prof. Dolgui's lab.

• International partner: Prof. Kannan Govindan , University of Aidelaide, Adelaide, Australia

  The PhD student will stay 1 year at Dr. Lee's lab.

• Industrial partner(s): not yet determined but several potential non academic partners (GEODIS, ENVIE, SA Zero, SA Waste Management,….) have been identified

2.2. Hosting organizations
2.2.1. IMT Atlantique

IMT Atlantique , internationally recognized for the quality of its research, is a leading French technological university under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Digital Technology. IMT Atlantique maintains privileged relationships with major national and international industrial partners, as well as with a dense network of SMEs, start-ups, and innovation networks. With 290 permanent staff, 2,200 students, including 300 doctoral students, IMT Atlantique produces 1,000 publications each year and raises 18€ million in research funds.

2.2.2. University of Aidelaide

At the University of Adelaide , we pursue meaningful change as we celebrate our proud history: applying proven values in the pursuit of contemporary educational and research excellence; meeting our local and global community’s evolving needs and challenges; and striving to prepare our graduates for their aspirations and the needs of the future workforce.

Our focus is informed by the manifold changes confronting today’s society, including the:

• need for economic transition—to new industries and jobs
• imperative of social transformation—demanding more accessible, lifelong learning
• impact of globalisation—making global opportunities available locally
• pervasive nature of technological disruption—redefining socio-economic constructs
• pursuit of sustainability—socially, economically and environmentally.

Requirements

Research Field

Computer science

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Research Field

Computer science

Additional Information
Benefits
A PhD programme of high quality training : 4 reasons to apply

• SEED is a programme of excellence that is aware of its responsibilities: to provide a programme of high quality training to develop conscientious researchers, including training in responsible research and ethics. 
• SEED’s unique approach of providing interdisciplinary, international and cross-sector experience is tailored to work in a career-focused manner to enhance employability and market integration.
• SEED offers a competitive funding scheme, aiming for an average monthly salary of EUR 2,000 net per ESR, topped by additional mobility allowances as well as optional family allowances.
• SEED is a forward-looking programme that actively engages with current issues and challenges, providing research opportunities addressing industrial and academic relevant themes.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria. In accordance with MSCA rules, SEED will open to applicants without any conditions of nationality nor age criteria. SEED applies the MSCA mobility standards and necessary background. Eligible candidates must fulfil the following criteria

• Mobility rule: Candidates must show transnational mobility by having not resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the deadline of the co-funded program's call (Jan 31, 2024 for Call#1). Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
• Early-stage researchers (ESR): Candidates must have a master’s degree or an equivalent diploma at the time of their enrolment and must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research career. Moreover, they must not have been awarded a doctoral degree.
  Extensions may be granted (under certain conditions) for maternity leave, paternity leave, as well as long-term illness or national service.

Selection process

The selection process is described on the guide for applicants available here: https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed/documents

Additional comments

Applications can only be provided through the application system available under the SEED website: http://www.imt-atlantique.fr/seed

Website for additional job details

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

IMT Atlantique

Country

France

City

Nantes

Street

4, rue Alfred Kastler - La Chantrerie

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed

Contact

City

Nantes

Website

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed

Street

4, rue Alfred Kastler - La Chantrerie

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED