PhD scholarship: Pioneering Electric Heavy-Duty Freight Transport – DTU Management

DTU Management's Transport Division would like to invite applications for a 3-year PhD position starting on September 1, 2024, or shortly thereafter. The successful candidate will join the Transport Policy Section and work under the supervision of Professor Jeppe Rich.

We are looking for excellent applicants with an MSc background in Operational Research, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field, and with the interest and ambition to carry out a PhD study within the transport science domain.

The successful applicant will work on research focused on the fleet replacement problem in road-based logistics operations to propose roll-out strategies and optimal planning from the perspective of logistics firms.

Background

While significant progress has been made in electrifying passenger vehicles and urban logistics, heavy-duty freight transport on roads continues to rely heavily on traditional fuels. This is a critical gap, considering the substantial environmental impact of this sector.

However, the landscape is changing rapidly. Advances in battery technology and declining costs present a compelling opportunity for electric trucks to become a sustainable and cost-effective solution soon. Prioritizing research in this area is crucial to mitigate the environmental impact of road-based heavy-duty freight transport.

The Department of Management's Transport Policy Section at DTU is leading the TEDDY project, funded by the Hedorf and FDE Foundations. This project aims to develop and validate mathematical models that empower logistics companies to strategically plan for electrifying their fleets.

Research Focus

• Developing Cutting-Edge Models: You will be responsible for creating mathematical models and metaheuristic algorithms to optimize mixed-fleet planning, including the necessary charging infrastructure.
• Real-World Validation: These models will be tested using real-life case studies provided by our industry partners. This will allow us to assess the impact of electrification on their business models in terms of cost, delivery performance, and emissions reduction.
• Scenario Planning for the Future: We will conduct scenario-based analyses to evaluate how operational needs, charging infrastructure options, subsidies, road taxes, and other government policies will influence the adoption of electric trucks.
• Optimizing Infrastructure and Demand: You will contribute to models that analyze the interplay between charging infrastructure requirements and the actual charging demand of electric trucks.
• Balancing Priorities: The research will explore the trade-offs (Pareto fronts) between conflicting objectives within a mixed-fleet delivery system.
• Collaborative Research Environment: As part of the team, you will closely collaborate with other DTU researchers and industry partners to develop and implement these planning models.
• Disseminating Your Findings: The project's outcomes will be published in leading scientific journals and presented at relevant conferences.

Qualifications for the PhD Position

This PhD project sits at the crossroads of several disciplines, including operational research, optimization, simulation, transport modeling, and policy assessment.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Essential Qualifications

• Master's degree (MSc) in Operational Research, Transportation Modeling, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, or a closely related field.
• Programming proficiency in at least one scientific language, preferably Python or Julia.
• Strong background in operational research, mathematics, and data science.

Desirable Skills

• Prior coursework in transportation science disciplines.
• Knowledge of optimization and mathematical programming, particularly dynamic programming.
• Experience with event-based simulation and a variety of machine learning techniques.
• A strong curiosity and interest in current and future mobility challenges, especially those related to logistics.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Enthusiasm for teamwork within a multinational research team.

Supervision and Timeline

The project will be supervised by Professor Jeppe Rich. We are seeking a highly motivated candidate to join the Transport Policy Section starting on August 1, 2024, or soon hereafter.

Approval and Enrolment

The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education

. 

Assessment

The assessment of the applicants will be made by 15 August 2024. 

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here

.

Further information

For more information, please contact Professor Jeppe Rich, richdtu.dk

.

You can read more about the DTU Management at www.man.dtu.dk/english.   

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark

. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar

” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 July 2024 (23:59 Danish time)

. Applications must be submitted as one PDF file

containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file

. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion, or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Transport modelling group belongs to the Transport division of the Department of Technology, Management and Economics (DTU Management) at DTU. The division conducts research and teaching in the field of traffic and transport planning, with a particular focus on behavior modelling, machine learning and simulation.

DTU Management conducts high-level research and teaching with a focus on sustainability, transport, innovation, and management science. Our goal is to create knowledge about the societal aspects of technology - including the interaction between technology and sustainability, business growth, infrastructure, and prosperity. Therefore, we explore and create value in the areas of management science, innovation and design thinking, business analytics, systems and risk analyses, human behavior, regulation, and policy analysis. The department offers teaching from introductory to advanced courses/projects at BSc, MSc, and PhD level. The Department has a staff of app. 350. 

Technology for people

DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.