Xichen Sun

Tilburg University is advertising a fully funded PhD position in circular procurement and the circular economy within the Department of Information Systems & Operations Management at Tilburg School of Economics and Management. The project examines how purchasing can accelerate the circular transition, including buying differently, less, or not at all, and how procurement organizations can implement circular practices effectively. The research is expected to be mainly qualitative and involves close cooperation with industrial and social partners, including Nevi . Relevant application contexts mentioned include construction and capital-intensive assets/equipment. The position is embedded in the CentER Graduate School of Business PhD programme. The successful candidate will receive doctoral training, complete coursework, and work toward a dissertation consisting of three studies. The role includes research, publication, and some teaching/supervision duties. Eligibility highlights: candidates should have or be near completion of an academic master’s degree, MPhil, or Research Master in operations/supply chain management, technical business administration, or a closely related field. An excellent GPA is expected, with top-10% performance used as a guideline. Strong Dutch and English skills are required. Preference is given to candidates with procurement-related coursework and to Dutch-speaking applicants. Applicants with a non-European master’s degree must provide a recent GRE or GMAT score. Funding and conditions: the appointment is full-time (1.0 FTE) for 4 years, with an initial 18-month contract followed by a 30-month contract after positive evaluation. The salary ranges from €3,059 to €3,881 gross per month, plus 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel budget, and standard university employment benefits. Deadline and start date: apply online as soon as possible and no later than 30 June 2026 . The intended start date is 1 September 2026 . How to apply: submit the online application with a motivation letter, CV, transcripts, thesis or other research work, referee contacts, proof of English proficiency or waiver request, and GRE/GMAT score if applicable.