"Postdoctoral Researcher in Operations Management"

Job Description

Today, companies across a wide range of industries face the challenge of managing increasingly complex stochastic systems, where uncertainty is inherent and data is abundant. These systems arise in diverse domains—such as manufacturing, rental platforms, and production systems—where decision-making must balance conflicting objectives, leverage real-time data, and ultimately support sustainable profitability.

Examples include optimizing production speeds to balance output, equipment deterioration, and energy consumption in manufacturing, or designing dynamic pricing and allocation policies in rental systems to match supply with fluctuating demand. Similarly, in inventory management, determining replenishment and allocation strategies under demand uncertainty is central to ensuring both efficiency and service quality.

To address these challenges, advanced methodologies and algorithms are needed to design effective revenue and inventory management strategies for complex stochastic systems. The growing availability of data and connectivity through the Internet of Things create new opportunities to incorporate real-time insights into decision-making, combining tractable modelling with provably efficient solution methods.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will have the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research on revenue management and/or inventory management problems within complex stochastic systems. Your work may involve formulating new models, analysing structural properties, and developing innovative algorithms with both theoretical rigor and practical relevance.

Requirements

• Motivated researcher with a PhD degree in Operations Research, (Applied) Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• A strong mathematical background, including expertise in stochastic optimization (e.g. Markov decision theory and dynamic programming) and applied probability (Bayesian statistics).
• Excellent coding skills (e.g., in Java, Python, Julia, MATLAB).
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• Ability to be self-propelling and drive your own research.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of Employment

Fixed-term contract: 2.5 years. A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for 2.5 years. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 4,241 max. € 5,538).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.