Network Design and Logistics Optimization for Circular Food Supply Chains

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At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You can find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

     

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About the position

We invite applications for a 3-year Postdoctoral Fellow position focused on mathematical optimization for the design and operation of large-scale circular supply chains. The position is part of the research project FOOD2FEED – Transforming Food Waste into Sustainable Feed through Circular Logistics and Insect Bioconversion.

The successful candidate will develop advanced decision-support models for network design and reverse logistics to enable cost-efficient and scalable systems that utilize food loss and waste as inputs in circular value chains.

The position is based at NTNU’s campus in Trondheim, Norway, within the Managerial Economics, Finance and Operations Research (BEDØK) group at the Department of Industrial Economics and Technology Management. BEDØK is Norway’s leading academic environment in operations research, logistics, and quantitative decision support, with strong publication activity and extensive collaboration with industry and public sector partners.

The purpose of a postdoctoral position is to develop a strong research profile and competence that qualifies for an academic career at the Associate Professor level or other advanced research positions.

About the research project 

Global food systems face major sustainability challenges: approximately one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted, while food production contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. FOOD2FEED aims to transform food loss and waste side streams (FLWS) into valuable resources by developing circular supply chains that convert waste into sustainable livestock feed through insect bioconversion.

The project brings together research partners NTNU, SINTEF Ocean, and Wageningen University & Research with leading industry partners such as Norsk Kylling (poultry producer and feed user), Bama (fruit/vegetable supplier) and NorInsect (insect protein producer). A central challenge is to design efficient reverse logistics systems that ensure reliable, cost-effective, and scalable collection, processing, and utilization of heterogeneous and uncertain waste streams.

Your role in the project

Your research will focus on developing quantitative decision-support models for circular food supply systems, including problems such as:

• Stochastic circular supply chain network design
• Facility location and capacity planning
• Waste collection, sorting and vehicle routing 
• Design of scalable reverse logistics systems for heterogeneous and perishable waste streams
• Techno-economic analysis and evaluation of system performance and economic feasibility

The methodological focus is on mathematical programming and stochastic optimization, possibly combined with decomposition and/or heuristic methods when needed for large-scale applications.

The position offers strong opportunities for scientific publication, international collaboration, and interaction with industrial partners. The postdoc can also contribute to joint supervision of MSc and BSc students.

The research will be carried out within a core research team at NTNU that leads the FOOD2FEED project and two of its work packages. The Postdoctoral Fellow will mainly contribute to the work package on Network Design and Logistics Optimization under the supervision of WP leader Associate Professor Steffen Bakker, within the Operations Research group. The candidate will have the opportunity to engage with the Operations Management group at the department, in particular Professor Heidi Dreyer and Associate Professor Anita Romsdal, and to work alongside a PhD Candidate who will be hired as part of the project at the same time.

The research will be carried out in close collaboration with industry partners and other project researchers. The Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to engage actively with company representatives, PhD candidates, and project partners to understand operational challenges, access data, and ensure that models and analyses reflect real-world decision problems.

The Postdoctoral Fellow will also collaborate with an international research network, including Professor Lluis Miquel Plà (University of Lleida), coordinator of the EURO Working Group on Operational Research in Agriculture and Forest Management, and Professor Peter Schütz (NHH Norwegian School of Economics), an expert in facility location and decision making under uncertainty. Opportunities for short research visits may be arranged.

Required selection criteria

• A doctoral degree in 
  • Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field. 
    OR
  • A doctoral degree in Food Systems / Agricultural Systems / Supply Chain Operations, combined with strong competence in Quantitative Modeling and Optimization
• Candidates in the final stages of their PhD may also apply.
• Strong expertise in Mathematical Optimization and Modeling (e.g., MILP, Stochastic Programming, or related methods)
• Proficiency in programming (e.g., Python, Julia, or similar).
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Factors that will contribute positively to the evaluation and that should be documented in the application

Factors that will contribute positively to the evaluation and that should be documented in the application:

• Knowledge of food systems, circular economy, or bio-based supply chains 
• Experience with supply chain operations, (reverse) logistics, facility location planning, or related industrial applications
• A good publication record in peer-reviewed journals and conferences in relevant areas 

If you do not already have educational competence that meets the requirements for a position as Associate Professor in Norway, NTNU will arrange for you to acquire such competence during the employment period. In such cases, you will also be assigned relevant teaching as part of the career-promoting work.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions.

Personal characteristics

We are looking for a highly motivated and independent researcher who:

• Works in a structured and goal-oriented manner
• Enjoys analytical and methodological challenges
• Is creative, proactive, and solution-oriented
• Thrives in interdisciplinary and collaborative environments
• Is motivated to develop research that addresses real-world challenges and creates practical value
• Has an interest in understanding industry needs and translating operational challenges into quantitative decision-support models

We offer 

• An exciting and international academic environment with opportunities for competence development 
• Opportunities for collaboration with significant industrial companies 
• Career guidance throughout the postdoctoral program and together with you we will prepare a career plan, which contains the skills and knowledge you will acquire
• An open and inclusive work environment with engaged colleagues 
• Favorable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Employee benefits
• Good loan, insurance, and pension schemes in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)
• Working at NTNU
   

Information about working and living in Norway can be found at the following link: https://www.workinnorway.no/en/Home

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. 

Salary and conditions

Postdoctoral candidates are remunerated in code 1352, presently at gross NOK 633.400,- before tax per year. From the salary, 2 % is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 years. 

The position is conditional on external funding.

Trondheim is the workplace. For necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

Any statutory leave will be added to the employment period.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important to stay updated on professional and organizational changes and adapt to these.

About the application 

Please note that the application will only be assessed based on the information we have at the application deadline. Therefore, ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experiences meet the criteria described above.

The application must contain the following: 

• Motivation letter – The motivation letter must clearly state how the candidate meets the qualification requirements.
• CV, diplomas, and certificates 
• Scientific works including the dissertation (not the master thesis). 
• A complete list of publications 
• Relevant publications 
• Names and contact information of three potential references

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and is committed to follow evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment DORA and the obligations in CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

When assessing the most qualified candidate, we emphasize scientific quality, research potential as well as personal suitability and motivation. 

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

If you have had leave or another break in your career, it is important that this is stated in your application so that the selection committee can take this into account and that the amount of your research may be reduced as a result.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

General information 

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public list of applicants, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

Questions about the position can be directed to Associate Professor Steffen Jaap Skotvoll Bakker (+47 921 45 529/  steffen.bakker@ntnu.no / postdoc supervisor and work-package leader) or Professor Heidi Carin Dreyer (heidi.c.dreyer@ntnu.no / project leader)

If you have any questions regarding the employment process, please contact HR Advisor Hilde Selli Egelie at hilde.s.egelie@ntnu.no.

If you find this position interesting, and in accordance with your qualifications, please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates attached.

Application deadline: 21.04.2025

For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000.The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.