PhD Position in Logistics: Optimization for Humanitarian Logistics and Crisis Management
Molde University College - Specialized University in Logistics (HiMolde) is a leading institution in teaching and research, with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation. The college offers over 40 study programmes, including PhD programmes in areas such as Health Sciences, Informatics, Law, Social Sciences, Logistics, Sport Management, and Economics. With approximately 270 employees and 3,700 students, the college is located in Molde and Kristiansund, Norway.
This PhD position is organized under the Department of Logistics and focuses on optimization for humanitarian logistics and crisis management. The research addresses operational research challenges arising from major natural and technological disasters, particularly in urban centers near high-risk industrial zones. The project centers on schedule optimization for cleaning contaminated sites, managing evolving risks over time, and modeling the dynamic evolution of urgency and precedence among tasks. Candidates may explore mathematical formulations, exact and heuristic methods, and uncertainty modeling, with potential applications in humanitarian logistics and crisis management.
The position aims to prepare candidates for careers in academia, industry, or the public sector. The appointment period is three to four years, with four-year appointments including 25% career-advancing tasks such as teaching, supervision, or administrative duties. The position offers a gross salary starting from NOK 541,800, with a 3% annual wage increase and the possibility of a higher salary for especially qualified candidates. Employment follows Norwegian regulations for fixed-term jobs in the public sector and guidelines for scholarship holders at universities and university colleges.
Applicants must have a strong background in logistics, transportation, computer science, mathematics, or related fields. Higher education must equate to five years of full-time study beyond the entry requirements for first cycle studies (Bachelor’s degree) in Norway. The master’s degree (or equivalent) must be at least one full year (60 ECTS) and include an individual research project, typically a master thesis. The average grade should be B or better on the ECTS scale. Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken, are required. Admission to the PhD Logistics programme is mandatory for scholarship eligibility.
To apply, candidates must submit a research proposal (maximum 5 pages) thoroughly grounded in the project description, outlining the research problem, theory, methods, and novelty. Additional required documents include a CV, certified copies of diplomas and transcripts, master thesis or equivalent, any academic publications, and contact details for three references. Applications must be submitted online by 31st January 2026. Interviews may be conducted online or in person.
Molde University College encourages applicants with limited functional abilities or gaps in their CV to apply, provided qualification requirements are met. The list of applicants may be made public according to Norwegian law, and requests for anonymity must be justified in writing but cannot be guaranteed. For further information, contact Professors Sebastian Urrutia, Harald Martin Hjelle, or Johan Holmgren via the provided email addresses.
For more details and to apply, visit the official application link.
