Funding

Funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

SMAP8471023

Department

School of Mathematics and Physics

Start dates

February 2024

Application deadline

31 October 2023

Applications are invited for a fully funded three year PhD to commence in February 2024.

The PhD will be based in the School of Mathematics and Physics, LORA (Logistics, Operational Research and Analytics) Research Group and will be supervised by Professor Djamila Ouelhadj.

This is a funded PhD opportunity. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£18,622 for 2023/24). Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 p.a. for project costs/consumables.

Programme

The work on this project could involve:

  • Literature review on freight micro-consolidation.
  • Analysis of the transport footprint of logistics activities in the Solent region
  • Develop innovative Operational Research optimisation and simulation models to simulate the impact of implementing micro-consolidation concepts at scale across multiple businesses and freight sectors in the Solent region.
  • Evaluation of the economic, environmental, and social impacts of the proposed micro-consolidation concepts

The project aims to investigate the environmental impacts of freight movement within the Solent region, and develop innovative and sustainable approaches to urban logistics, reducing the impact that goods movement has on congestion, air quality, safety and journey times. 

The project will develop new freight micro-consolidation for last mile delivery, and novel Operational Research optimisation and simulation models to simulate the impact of implementing micro-consolidation concepts at scale across multiple businesses and freight sectors, or in specific geographies, and monitoring and valuation of the micro-consolidation trials. The models and algorithms developed are expected to be of sufficient scientific novelty and application worth that they will lead to articles published in leading operational research and transport scientific journals. 

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Operational Research, programming skills (Java/C++, C#, etc.)

How to apply

We encourage you to contact Professor Djamila Ouelhadj (djamila.ouelhadj@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form (selecting February 2024 start – Apply Now). Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process. 

When applying please quote project code: SMAP8471023.