Two PhD Positions in Procurement and Supply Chain Management

For this vacancy, we seek two PhD candidates for two different, but related, research projects. To apply, you need to select your preference (or both) and motivate your choice in your letter. 

 

Project 1: PhD Candidate: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Procurement
Are you fascinated by the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and eager to explore its implications for organizations? Would you like to conduct cutting-edge research on how AI is redefining procurement leadership, reshaping buyer-supplier collaboration, and transforming roles and skills of procurement professionals? Then, we invite you to apply for this PhD position in our interdisciplinary research team and help shaping the AI-driven future of Procurement.

1.1    Job Description
This PhD project, supervised by Prof. Dr. Frank Rozemeijer, Prof. Dr. Dominik Mahr, and Dr. Jonas Heller, explores how emerging AI technologies are transforming procurement strategies and leadership practices.

As a PhD Candidate in the Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE), you will conduct original research into the ways AI is changing procurement functions across industries. Your work will explore leadership challenges, digital transformation of procurement tasks, and organizational interventions for upskilling the workforce. So, you with this research you will investigate how the use of AI technology is altering buyer-supplier collaboration dynamics, and reshaping employee roles and skills.

You will work with a broad range of research methodologies—from interviews and longitudinal field studies to experimental designs and intervention evaluations—and engage in close collaboration with NEVI (a co-funder of this project), DEXLab, UMIO, Brightlands, and other stakeholders in a vibrant community of practice

You will publish your findings, present them at leading conferences, and collaborate with academic and industry partners. Academic responsibilities include teaching, coursework for professional development, and contributing to the broader academic and practitioner communities involved in digital procurement transformation.

1.2    Your tasks include:

• Design and conduct empirical studies (qualitative and quantitative) on AI’s impact on procurement leadership, buyer-supplier collaboration, and workforce development
• Develop AI-based experimental interventions and analyze their implications for skill development and job design
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders from academia, industry and the public sector within a community of practice
• Present your findings at international conferences and publish in leading academic journals. Write up your results for peer-reviewed journals and conferences and complete your dissertation

1.3    Requirements

We are looking for a passionate and curious candidate with a genuine interest to work at the intersection of AI, Procurement and digital transformation. You should have a (Research) master’s degree in Purchasing and supply management, Supply chain management, Marketing, Organizational behaviour or a related discipline. We welcome candidates with strong analytical and communicative skills, the ability to work both independently and in a team, and with a desire to create impact – academically and in practice – through rigorous, relevant research.

Project 2: PhD Candidate: Orchestrating Value in the end-to-end supply chain: the evolving role of Procurement

Would you like to conduct cutting-edge research on how companies co-create value with their value chain partners, and what role procurement should play in orchestrating the value chain? Are you fascinated by how organizations orchestrate shared value creation and eager to explore how they are expanding their reach and influence across their end-to-end supply chains? Would you like to conduct cutting-edge research on how holistic supply chain management by the procurement function and its leaders creates new opportunities for value creation? Then, we invite you to apply for this PhD position. Join our research team and help prepare procurement for a supply chain future!

2.1 Job Description

For this position, we seek applications for a PhD project on end-to-end-supply chains under the supervision of Prof. dr. Frank Rozemeijer and dr. Robert Suurmond. This research investigates a broader vision that advocates for an all-encompassing approach that spans the entire process, from sourcing and
manufacturing to transportation and ultimately, selling to the end customer. Research is crucial to develop the knowledge and frameworks necessary for effectively managing end-to-end procurement strategies in today’s complex supply environments.

As a PhD Candidate in the Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE), you will conduct original research into the ways today’s requirements for visibility over the entire supply chain impacts the procurement function (typically focused on tier-1 suppliers). Your work will explore holistic supply chain understanding, by procurement functions and leaders, internal integration between functions, and external integration and value orchestration along the entire supply chain. You will work with a broad range of research methodologies, including case studies and (longitudinal) field work, mixed methods leveraging internal and secondary data, and engage in close collaboration with SOLVINT (a co-funder of this project), UMIO, the Brightlands Institute for Supply Chain Innovation, and Supply Chain Valley Limburg, as well as other stakeholders and research participants in a vibrant community of practice.

You will publish your findings, present them at leading conferences, and collaborate with academic and industry partners. Academic responsibilities include coursework for professional development, teaching, and contributing to the broader academic and practitioner communities involved in digital procurement transformation.

2.2 Your tasks include:

• Design and conduct empirical studies (qualitative and quantitative) on holistic supply chain understanding, internal and external integration
• Collaborate with stakeholders from public and private sectors within a community of practice
• Write up your results for peer-reviewed journals and conferences and complete your dissertation

2.3 Requirements
We are looking for a passionate and curious candidate with a genuine interest to work at the intersection of procurement, supply chain management and strategy. You should have a (Research) master. We welcome candidates with backgrounds in purchasing and supply management, supply chain management, organisation and strategy, or related disciplines. We welcome candidates with strong analytical and communicative skills, the ability to work both independently and in a team, and with a desire to create impact – academically and in practice – through rigorous, relevant research. 

Essential qualifications:

• A completed Master’s degree (or near completion) in a relevant discipline, with advanced knowledge of research methods
• Professional proficiency in English (minimum C1) and strong communication skills across academic and practitioner audiences.

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:

• Strong collaborative and interpersonal skills, demonstrated through experience in complex, multi-stakeholder projects
• A proactive, structured, and rigorous work approach with an ability to align academic goals with practical challenges
• Experience in coordinating interdisciplinary research or consulting projects, with an adaptive mindset

Ideal candidates will also show:

• Experience in industry-academic collaborations or a strong interest in bridging theory and practice
• Ability to conduct independent research while contributing to collective goals within a research community
• Genuine enthusiasm for digital innovation in procurement and its implications for organizational change

 What we offer
As Two PhD Positions in Procurement and Supply Chain Management at School of Business and Economics, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you:

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded in scale P according to UFO profile PhD, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €2901,00 and €3707,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 18 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon a positive evaluation, an extension of 2,5 years will follow. 
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model. 
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students. 
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as 'acknowledge and appreciate'. 
   

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here.

Maastricht University
Why work at Maastricht University?
At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research.

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers.

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community.

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together.

Click here for more information about UM. 

The School of Business and Economics
The School of Business and Economics (SBE) is one of Maastricht University’s six faculties. Our mission is to contribute to a better world by addressing societal problems, by co-creating knowledge and developing team players and leaders for the future.

By joining SBE, you will be part of the 1% of business schools worldwide to be Triple Crown accredited (EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA). You will join an inspiring and international environment, where learning and development is priority. 

Curious?
Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Prof dr Frank Rozemeijer at f.rozemeijer@maastrichtuniversity.nl (for both projects), or Jonas Heller j.heller@maastrichtuniversity.nl (for project 1) or Robert Suurmond (for project 2) at r.suurmond@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information.

Applying?
Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Two PhD Positions in Procurement and Supply Chain Management? Apply now, no later than June 17, 2025, for this position.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. 

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.