PhD scholarship in Industry 4.0, Freight Transport and Technology implementation - DTU Engineering Technology

Do you want to break new ground in technology implementation in the freight transportation industry?

Denmark is in the global elite within freight transportation. Global competition, increasing quality expectations, sudden supply chain disruptions, and growing demands for sustainability requires changes in the traditional way of conducting freight transport. If implemented effectively, digital technologies, automation, and Industry 4.0 provide opportunities for increasing performance on all parameters. You will be part of a research project, where we study technology implementation in freight transportation through analyses of actual real-life technology implementation cases in freight transportation companies.

Working alongside specialists in Internet-of-Things, automation, planning, and optimization, you will not only become an expert within freight transportation, but also contribute significantly to the transportation research at the Department as well as the general body of knowledge in technology implementation.

The project is an integral part of the TRANSPORTTECH project funded by Hedorfs Fond and FDE Fonden. In the TRANSPORTECH project, 8-10 companies will go through the end-to-end phases of technology implementation all the way from idea generation to technology adoption and operation. Your PhD project will study the journey of these companies and draw out general learnings.

You will become a member of the Operations Management and Automation research group at DTU Engineering Technology under the supervision of Associate professor Samuel Brüning Larsen from DTU Engineering Technology and Professor Allan Larsen from DTU Management.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your primary tasks will be to

• Conduct qualitative research by following a series of contemporary cases
• Write academic papers aimed at high-impact journals,
• Participate in international conferences and workshop,
• Disseminate research results and teach as part of the overall PhD education,
• Learn the role of the researcher and the specific tasks how to conduct research,
• Participate in teaching and student project supervision.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

We are looking for an ambitious, self-organized individual with curiosity and deep interests in how new technologies can be usefully applied in industry. While high-levels skills in programming or mathematics are not required, applicants should have experience in one or more of the following areas: Transportation, logistics, IT or technology implementation, Operations Management, industrial engineering, or related disciplines.

We welcome applications from technical universities and IT universities as well as candidates from technology or engineering faculties at general universities. Also relevant are candidates from business schools, who have studied relevant fields (e.g. operations, logistics, transportation or other ‘process-oriented’ fields).

The independent nature of a PhD requires strong skills in project management and written communication. Proficiency in Danish language and prior experience in academic writing are assets, but not requirements.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education .

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation, and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Samuel Brüning Larsen ([email protected] ). You can read more about DTU Engineering Technology at www.engtech.dtu.dk/English .

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30April 2023 (Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

About DTU Engineering Technology
We work at the forefront of university-industry collaboration and develop tools and methods for technology implementation. We are organized in 11 research groups all focused on technology implementation, engineering technology and engineering education within a wide range of engineering fields.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.