Business process management for stimulating a circular economy

The research position is shared between UGhent and KU Leuven and will take place under respective supervision of Prof. Amy Van Looy and Prof. Karel Van Acker, with the aim of conducting PhD research. The research is furthermore embedded within CE Center (Steunpunt Circulaire Economie), directly funded by the Flemish Government. CE Center performs policy research in order to monitor, stimulate and contextualise the progress of the Flemish region towards a circular economy. It consists of five interdisciplinary and complementary research clusters and is a joint venture of KU Leuven, UAntwerpen, UGhent, UHasselt and VITO.
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Project
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Circular economy implies a systemic societal shift and (especially for companies) the need for guidance on how to move along with the circular economy transition while making optimal use of their own capabilities. Although rising in importance, this topic has up to present not been adequately met. In this research, you will work on the adoption journeys of companies in the circular economy, by analysing, assessing and monitoring business capabilities. Research outcomes will be directed towards companies and be shaped in direct collaborations, e.g. by developing a dashboard, and towards policy makers in order to feed them with knowledge about how to make the CE transition happen at the production side of the Flemish economy, e.g. in the context of the strategic agendas of Circular Flanders.

Profile
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You have a Master degree in Business and Information Systems Engineering, Business Engineering, Informatics, Computer Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Information Management, Statistics, Business Administration or related discipline. Excellent (honors-level or better) results in prior studies are required. Candidates must satisfy the prerequisites for admission to the respective PhD programme.
You should show a strong interest in sustainability issues and global challenges such as circular economy as well as in policy design.
Specific expertise in one or more of the following areas is an asset: business process management, process modelling, business informatics, business process modelling and management in general
You have a scientific, critical attitude and you are interested in multidisciplinary research
You have good communication and presentation skills, proficient in English. Knowledge of Dutch, both spoken and written, is considered a plus.
You have an independent working style.
Experience as a researcher is welcome but not mandatory.

Offer
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We offer a research position for one year in a very attractive multidisciplinary international research environment with an excellent track record, with possible extension with three years. The research is expected to lead to a joint PhD degree at UGhent and KU Leuven. The research work will be carried out in the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration in UGhent and in the Faculty of Economics & Business of KU Leuven. The job will include collaboration and information exchange with researchers from different disciplines, industry and policy makers.
CE CenterOnderzoeksgroep SAMOnderzoeksgroep BIOM

Interested?
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For more information please contact Mr. Luc Alaerts, tel.: +32 16 32 49 69, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. Karel Van Acker, tel.: +32 16 32 12 71, mail: [email protected].
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