Agile Procurement for Managing Advanced and Complex Manufacturing Supply Chains

This is a unique research opportunity for an ambitious PhD candidate to develop new knowledge by conducting highly applied supply chain research in the field of advanced manufacturing and complex engineering systems. Funded jointly by two globally renowned organisations, Rolls-Royce and the Centre for Logistics, Procurement and Supply Chain Management (CLPSCM) within Cranfield University’s School of Management (SoM) the focus of this research is on developing new insights on how to cascade and deploy agile methodologies to sub-tiers in manufacturing supply chains for advanced engineering systems.

The right candidate will quickly become an integral part of the internationally renowned CLPSCM within Cranfield University’s School of Management (SoM). With SoM, our research students receive excellent training on both quantitative and qualitative research methods and can take advantage of opportunities to gain experience and develop capabilities relating to many aspects of a future academic role, including presenting at academic conferences. The successful candidate will also contribute to related research projects and teaching sessions which is an essential experience for a future academic career.

Project outcomes: 

The project aims to answer how the interfirm-level deployment of agile methodologies can be used in NPD for complex engineering systems (e.g. jet engines) and how the existing challenges of implementing agile methodologies in Procurement contracts for complex engineering systems can be overcome with the help of gamified learning and training approaches.

This research project is expected to make a significant academic and practical impact.

About the sponsor: 

The Centre for Logistics, Procurement and Supply Chain Management at the Cranfield School of Management has an excellent, world-wide reputation, providing highly regarded advanced teaching and research. Our academic colleagues are actively publishing in top ranked logistics and supply chain management journals and are members of numerous editorial boards. They are also developing international thought leadership profiles in their particular fields.

Rolls-Royce is renowned globally for developing and delivering complex power and propulsion solutions for safety-critical applications in the air, at sea and on land.

Entry requirements: 

Applicants must hold a first or upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree, a taught Master’s degree and an IELTS test minimum score of 7 or an equivalent international qualification. The ideal candidate will have a background in engineering management, supply chain management/procurement or operations management with a strong interest in project management for complex systems. The applicant’s academic writing ability will be evaluated based on the proposal submitted. The candidate should demonstrate self-initiation and self-learning. The applicant must satisfy the general requirements for a PhD at Cranfield (numerical reasoning, critical thinking tests and an interview) and will need to command the necessary social skills to engage with senior managers/practitioners and to communicate the research outcomes to Cranfield and stakeholders from the industry, academic researchers and other relevant and interested audiences.

How to apply:

Candidates are required to prepare a research proposal for this studentship. Please upload your research proposal and a personal statement when you submit your application. We are unable to consider applications without a research proposal.