PhD Scholarship in Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Organization - DTU Management

Technical University of Denmark · Kongens Lyngby

Are you a collaborative and ambitious master's graduate with strong intercultural awareness and a curiosity for exploring sustainability challenges across different contexts and disciplines? Would you like to help shape the next generation of sustainable and regenerative global supply chains through a unique collaboration between the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and the University of Nairobi, Kenya? DTU Management (Department of Technology, Management, and Economics) invites applications for a three-year PhD scholarship at the intersection of supply chain management and organization studies. Focusing on global agricultural commodity chains, the project explores how supply chains can create positive environmental and social impacts rather than simply reducing negative ones. It examines regenerative approaches that renew ecological and social systems while being collectively organized with local communities.

The PhD position is anchored at DTU Management and contributes to the department's strategic focus on developing viable and sustainable systems. You will join an international research environment at the forefront of sustainable supply chain management and organization studies, collaborating with researchers and partners in Denmark and Kenya. The project combines literature-based and empirical research on regenerative agri-food supply chains with fieldwork and data collection in Denmark and Kenya. The project will be supervised by Associate Professor Lærke Højgaard Christiansen and Assistant Professor Lara Schilling at DTU and will include an extended research stay at the University of Nairobi under the co-supervision of Senior Lecturer Thomas Ombati and Lecturer Veronica Wambui Mwangi.

Based in Copenhagen – consistently ranked among the world's most livable cities – you will enjoy a high quality of life, a safe and sustainable urban environment, and a thriving cultural scene. At the same time, you'll be part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community at one of Europe's top technical universities, known for its commitment to innovation, societal impact, and diversity.

Responsibilities and qualifications
As a PhD candidate, you will investigate how global agricultural commodity chains, such as tea or coffee, can be managed based on regenerative principles. The project offers a unique opportunity to develop an international and interdisciplinary research profile at the intersection of organization studies and supply chain management. As part of the DTU Management PhD Program, you will follow a structured research and training program that combines independent research, academic coursework, teaching, and professional development.

Mandatory requirements:

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.
An educational background in the social sciences
A familiarity with supply chain management, organization studies, or related fields such as (human) geography
Have a strong interest in sustainability, regenerative systems, and the organization of global supply chains
Strong speaking and writing skills in English

Further, the following qualities will be valued highly in the assessment:

Research vision and potential
Evidence of academic accomplishment (e.g., high grades, timely graduation)
Knowledge and experience with qualitative research methods and empirical fieldwork
Scholarly/academic writing skills
Familiarity with Kenya’s socio-cultural context, or experience in settings with transferable relevance, is desirable but not required.

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.

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. The envisaged starting date is as soon as possible. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Lara Schilling (larasc@dtu.dk) and Lærke Højgaard Christiansen (laerc@dtu.dk)

You can read more about the Department of Technology, Management and Economics at https://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 November 2026 (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
A research statement (2–3 pages) outlining your research ideas and explaining your suitability for carrying out the project. Please engage with relevant scholarly literature on regenerative supply chains and organization. The statement is intended to demonstrate your research interests and potential; it is not a binding proposal, and the research plan may be further developed and refined in collaboration with the supervisory team upon enrolment in the PhD program.
One copy of a selected written work (e.g., master’s thesis)

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, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

About DTU Management
DTU Management conducts excellent research at the intersection of management, technology and economics. We develop solutions in close cooperation with companies and public authorities. Our research aims at strengthening welfare, productivity and sustainability. A key element is the role of technology and its interaction with industry and individuals. The department offers a wide range of courses and programs at bachelor, master, and PhD levels across DTU's study programs. The department has 250+ employees with around half of staff coming from abroad.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.

Join an international PhD project at DTU, in collaboration with the University of Nairobi, exploring how global agricultural supply chains can be organized using regenerative approaches. Conducting research in Denmark and Kenya, you will help shape sustainable, community-based agri-food systems.

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