The Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Business School is seeking a highly motivated PhD student in Operations Management to begin in Fall 2026. This opportunity is ideal for candidates with backgrounds in industrial engineering, operations, manufacturing engineering, applied mathematics, data science, or related fields. The program is designed to prepare students for impactful research in areas such as management sciences, operations research, business analytics, supply chain management, and decision analysis. Research at WPI emphasizes both theoretical and practical approaches to solving real business problems, with a strong focus on analytical thinking and quantitative modeling.

Accepted students will join a vibrant academic community and benefit from close mentorship by faculty such as Associate Professor Sara Saberi and Professor Joe Zhu, both recognized experts in operations analytics and supply chain management. The PhD program offers concentrations in Entrepreneurship, Information Technology, and Operations Management, allowing students to tailor their research to their interests and career goals. Students are expected to demonstrate strong communication skills and content knowledge in at least one undergraduate business discipline.

Funding for this position includes a teaching assistantship, providing competitive financial support, full tuition remission, and health insurance. Admission is highly competitive, requiring a graduate degree from an accredited institution, a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and satisfactory GMAT (minimum 600) or GRE scores. International applicants must provide proof of English proficiency through TOEFL (minimum 100) or IELTS (minimum 7.5) scores. Applicants with a master's degree should have demonstrated graduate-level knowledge in a business discipline or a relevant field, and undergraduate competency in Calculus, Statistics, or Economics.

Applicants are encouraged to review the detailed application requirements and process on the WPI website. The application should include a resume, proposed research area, transcripts, and relevant test scores. Indicate your intended concentration and identify a faculty sponsor willing to serve as your dissertation advisor. For further information or questions, prospective students may contact Professor Joe Zhu. This is an excellent opportunity for aspiring scholars interested in operations management, business analytics, and supply chain research to advance their academic careers at a leading U.S. institution.