PhD Position in Qualitative Modelling for Just-in-Time Port Call Optimization

at  Syddansk Universitet

The Department of Technology and Innovation University of Southern Denmark in Odense (SDU), invites for applications to a 3-year PhD position with teaching obligations on the topic of sector. The starting time of the position is as soon as possible, and the location is at SDU’s main campus in Odense.
The application deadline is the 10 March 2024 at 23.59 (CET/CEST)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The PhD-position is allocated to the Horizon 2020 EU-funded project MISSION (“MaritIme juSt in time optimiSatION), which deals with the following challenge:
A widespread problem that leads to avoidable fuel consumption and related CO2 emissions is ships hurrying up to get to the next port of arrival and terminal in time to be on top of the queue, and ships queuing outside the port area due to delays in berth readiness and/or ship arrival times. According to a report from the International Maritime Organization, ships may spend 5-10% of their time waiting to enter a port. The unnecessary higher speed and subsequent waiting time with auxiliary engines running result in significantly increased fuel consumption causing environmental and economic challenges.
To amend this, a consortium with 30 partners of European universities, ports, shipping companies, and technology firms have joined forced to find a solution. The partners aim to develop a new communication, and logistics platform for shipping. The platform aims to make maritime traffic more efficient and ensure that ships arrive at their destination port only when port services and a berth is available – just in time.
The essential part of the project is to enhance and assure timely communication and that the right information is provided to the right people to the right time in the right format. Even in our time of digitization and information sharing on mobile or other devices, it is tricky to get this information as the maritime supply chain is highly complex. The aim of the project is to provide solutions that can be integrated into existing systems and are able to calculate and provide this information based on terminology and calculation methods defined by agreed standards. This involves artificial intelligence and data science solutions, simulation studies, IT-solutions, as well as behavioral, contractual, and organizational change management. With this, we expect a realistic fuel consumption by up to 23% on the overall ship voyage and port call including the shore side.
The solution’s effectiveness will also be demonstrated as part of the project. This applies for container ships, RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) vessels which allow direct cargo rolling, and tramp shipping, mainly consisting of tankers and bulk carriers.
The promising PhD candidate will work with demonstration cases that measure and show how much CO2-emissions can be saved and how operations can run smoother with updated information about operation event times. Tools to be employed and scientific areas to be regarded range from simulation in Anylogic (or similar) to operations research, statistical & machine learning, IT-systems & software engineering, as well as economics including sustainability aspects in maritime operations.
The PhD candidate will have a certain amount of freedom to pick and shape the research effort in directions of own interest within the scope of MISSION. The candidate is expected to work with relevant consortium partners, e.g., gathering data, align efforts, and sharing findings with these.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate should demonstrate the following qualifications:

• MSc degree (equivalent to a Danish master’s degree) in industrial engineering, computer science, software engineering, operations management, maritime or logistics studies or equivalent
• Skilled in data-driven analytics and mathematical modelling/optimization, preferable in Anylogic, Python, R, and/or Julia.
• Be comfortable with various programming languages and willingness to learn new if needed.
• Very good written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge about maritime operations is an advantage.
• Willingness to do applied science and support project team, industrial partners, and overall research project progress.
• Interest in longer term commitment to a growing research group.
• Willingness to work with students and to contribute to teaching / supervision of (master) students.
• Comfortability with working both independently and within an international team.
• Fluency in English, both spoken and written.

Please refer the Job description for details