PhD student position in Operations Management/Information systems - KU Leuven

Topic: Data-Driven and Mechanistic Modelling for Microclimate and Pest/Disease Prediction in Protected Soft Fruit Production systems

Supervisors: prof. Jeroen Belien & prof. Estefanía Serral Asensio

Starting date: 1 December 2026

We are looking for a full-time PhD student to do research in the field of Operations Management and Information Systems under the supervision of prof. Jeroen Belien, Operations Management research group, and prof. Estefanía Serral Asensio, Information Systems Engineering Research Group (Faculty of Economics and Business) of KU Leuven (campus Brussels). We offer a fully funded position for a period of 4 years (upon yearly positive evaluation); this work should lead to a PhD degree. The PhD candidate will be supervised by KU Leuven, with co-supervision by the Research center for fruit growing (pcfruit vzw) , ensuring a strong integration of fundamental research and applied expertise.

Project

Profile

For this position, we are looking for someone with the following characteristics and assets:

• You recently completed your master’s degree (or are about to complete it at latest in 2026) in Engineering, Business Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, Operations Research, Operations Management, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or a similar degree with an equivalent academic level. Excellent (on average distinction level or higher) results in prior studies are a requirement.

• You have a solid, mathematically oriented background and strong programming skills.

• You can conduct independent research (demonstrated, e.g., by an excellent MSc thesis) as well as collaborate well in teams.

• You have excellent command of spoken and written English and are equipped with good communication skills. Knowledge of Dutch is an asset, but not mandatory.

• You are willing to participate in seminars and conferences and to enroll in the PhD program of the Faculty of Economics and Business at KU Leuven, which entails 21-ECTS of relevant coursework. You will also on a limited basis give guidance to students, be involved in teaching activities and in the supervision of exams.

Offer

Information on making a PhD
Information about our salary scales

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Jeroen Belien, mail: [email protected] or Prof. dr. Estefanía Serral Asensio, mail: [email protected].

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