PhD Studentship: Demand scheduling and emission control in e-fulfilment

University of Essex - Department of Mathematical Sciences (lead) and School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering



Qualification Type:    PhD

Location:        Colchester

Funding for:   EU Students, International Students, Self-funded Students, UK Students

Funding amount:       £15,009 p.a

Hours: Full Time

Placed On:      1st August 2019

Closes: 12th September 2019

Last-mile delivery - the transportation of goods from hub to home - in e-retailing is one of the most costly and highest polluting segments of the supply chain. Naturally the delivery demand at different times of the day is different, which leads to inefficient truck routes and fleet usage. This project aims to apply machine learning techniques to understand major cost/emission factors of vehicle routing subject to customer choices, so as to generate effective incentive schemes to schedule customer demands. It also aims to provide resolutions on the efficient usage of electric fleets in grocery delivery. Certain real data on customer shopping behaviour is available for the study.



Applications for this Faculty of Science and Health funded Doctoral Studentship must be submitted by 12th September 2019.



Entry requirements:



Essential:



MSc/MPhil in Operational Research, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering or a related discipline.

Good theoretical and applied knowledge in optimization and machine learning.

Good knowledge of programming platforms and languages (e.g. Matlab/Python/C++/Java).





Desired:



Experience of working on a project to successful completion.

Excellent time management and organisational skills.

Able to work independently and as part of a team.

Ability to interface with people from varied technical backgrounds.

Experience of academic writing in English.

Detailed funding information:



The award consists of a full Home/EU waiver or equivalent fee discount for overseas students (see https://www1.essex.ac.uk/fees-and-funding/research/default.aspx for further fee details); a doctoral stipend equivalent to the Research Council’s UK National Minimum Doctoral Stipend (£15,009 in 2019-20); and a £2,500 training bursary via Proficio funding, which may be used to cover the cost of advanced skills training including conference attendance and travel.



Supervisors: Dr Xinan Yang (Lead, DMS), Professor Jon Gan (Co-Supervisor, CSEE), Dr Michael Fairbank (Co-Supervisor, CSEE)



Primary supervisor: Dr Xinan Yang



Dr Yang has worked in revenue management of online grocery fulfilment for five year. She has published two world-leading articles in this field (cited by 35 and 10 since they were published in 2016 and 2017, respectively) which are industrialising with Ocado Technology under a KTP (Dec 2018 – Dec 2020).



How to apply:



Please note that you must be applying for a new programme of study at the University of Essex, starting in January 2020, in order to be eligible.



Please upload your CV, personal statement, transcripts of any undergraduate or Masters programmes and one reference. Please include the title of the project in the box of “Proposed research topic or area of interest” when applying online. Please provide the full name of the main supervisor, Dr Xinan Yang.



Further details via the apply button under https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BUG104/phd-studentship-demand-scheduling-and-emission-control-in-e-fulfilment





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