PhD on supply chain collaboration in the semicon equipment and instrument industry

Introduction

Are you passionate about studying collaboration among organizations active in supply chain networks? Do you have a passion for applying cutting-edge quantitative methods and a desire to collaborate with renowned scholars in strategic marketing and management? If so, join our exciting project at TU/e, in collaboration with industry leaders ASML and Thermo Fisher Scientific, where you can significantly impact theory and practice! We offer a fully-funded, four-year Ph.D. position focused on collaboration in supply chain networks, leveraging quantitative methodologies using surveys, applied econometrics, and network analysis.

Job Description

Buyer-supplier relationships are critical drivers of performance for high-tech companies. How can organizations manage the interdependencies in supply chain networks? How will disruption to production upstream hurt end-customer value downstream in the supply chain? In a coopetition context, high-tech companies such as ASML, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Nearfield Instruments are eager to better understand how collaboration – with a special focus on trust and reciprocal commitment – among themselves and with their suppliers can benefit their operations and the ecosystem as a whole.

We are looking for a highly motivated and talented Ph.D. candidate to join our research team, dedicated to exploring the functioning of supply chains and performance surrounding ASML and Thermo Fisher Scientific. The successful applicant will be able to craft their Ph.D. research proposal under the theme of collaboration in supply chain networks using applied econometric models based on survey and secondary data. Creative approaches to combining and leveraging various data sources are highly encouraged!

The selected Ph.D. candidate will benefit from our outstanding academic environment and work closely with ASML and Thermo Fisher Scientific to apply results to their supply chain processes, enhancing supply chain (channel) performance. In this way, you will be able to do high-quality research while ensuring the practical relevance of the research. We expect you to report your findings at prestigious international conferences, leading journals, and industry events. Ultimately, you will deliver a high-quality Ph.D. thesis with direct implications for our industrial partners.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in (Strategic) Marketing, (Strategic) Management, Supply Chain Management, or a similar field of study or related disciplines.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• You have strong analytical skills and demonstrated competences in quantitative methods, including survey design, applied econometrics, and network analysis.
• You have the potential and ambition to become a high-level management scholar.
• You should be adept at independently organizing your work to pursue research-oriented objectives while maintaining robust team collaboration in a dynamic environment.
• Proactivity and a collaborative spirit are essential traits.
• You have a strong affinity with interdisciplinary research and enjoy collaborating with others, including industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level). Excellent verbal and written communication skills are a must, including proficiency in English and the ability to work seamlessly in an international context.
• Exceptional academic writing and analytical skills are highly valued.

Conditions of Employment

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 four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 max. € 3,881).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

Information

The supervisor team consists of dr. Néomie Raassens, Stefan Wuyts, and dr. Arjan Markus. Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Néomie Raassens (N.Raassens@tue.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact our HR advisor, Jolanda van der Sande (j.i.v.d.sande@tue.nl).

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter (max. two pages) in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including an elaboration of your experience in quantitative methodologies (e.g., survey design, applied econometrics, network analysis).
• Contact information of up to two references.
• Brief description of your MSc thesis (topic, method, contribution) and other related research projects that you conducted.
• List of Master's and Bachelor’s courses, including grades.
• Results of a recent English language test or other evidence of your English language capabilities (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.).

We look forward to receiving your application and learning more about your potential contributions to our research team and industrial partners. We will screen applications on a rolling basis. The preferred starting date is January 1, 2026, or by agreement sooner.