Research Associate & PhD student " AI-driven Automation in the Context of Warehouse Design" (gn*)

Kühne Logistics University - Wissenschaftliche Hochschule für Logistik und Unternehmensführung (KLU) is a private university founded in 2010 and based in Hamburg's HafenCity. The independent, state-approved university focuses on the areas of logistics and management. As a boutique university, KLU offers its students and doctoral candidates a high degree of specialization and excellent study conditions. KLU Executive Education offers advanced training programs for specialists and managers within the framework of seminars and summer schools. We offer our employees exciting projects and challenging responsibilities in an innovative environment. Contribute your skills to a strong team that significantly influences and drives the development of our university.  

Kühne Logistics University (KLU) in Hamburg is investigating new approaches and methodologies to leverage the use of artificial intelligence for warehouse management in collaboration with Arvato, one of the world's leading global service companies. To support our research team, we are looking for a Research Associate & PhD student "AI-driven Automation in the Context of Warehouse Design" (gn*).

Research topic
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) presents transformative opportunities across industries, particularly in optimizing complex business operations. The primary objective of this project is to leverage AI technologies to enhance the efficiency, flexibility, and scalability of warehouse design and operations. By applying process mining techniques, we will analyze current workflows to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in warehouse processes. These insights will form the basis for developing AI-driven solutions to automate tasks such as inventory management, order fulfillment, and resource allocation. In addition, we will integrate digital twin technology to create virtual replicas of physical warehouses, allowing for real-time simulation and optimization of warehouse layouts, resource movements, and operational strategies. This dynamic, data-driven approach will enable continuous improvements and foster greater agility in responding to changing market demands.
By combining AI-powered automation, process mining, and digital twins, this research aims to redefine warehouse design and management, leading to streamlined operations, reduced costs, and improved decision-making processes in business environments.

Your Responsibilities

You will conduct rigorous research to understand the best practices in next-generation demand planning. The four-year project will have three individual deep dives that will be tailored according to the shared interests of all parties involved. You collaborate closely with Arvato's team and work under the academic guidance of Prof. Dr. Henrik Leopold. The insights gleaned from your research will be developed into academic journal articles and presentations at leading scientific conferences that will form the basis of your PhD dissertation.

Requirements for employment are a very good degree in computer science, information systems, industrial engineering, or a similar field and the willingness to do research and scientific work within the scope of the task. Prior experience with programming and data analytics are required. We further expect you to have very good communication skills, both in dealing with academic colleagues and with the contacts in the company. You should demonstrate strong analytical skills, enjoy working independently and responsibly, and have fun dealing with large amounts of data. Good command of the German language is a requirement.

PhD
KLU supports the scientific employee in writing a dissertation on the research topic. As a state-recognized university, KLU has the right to award doctoral degrees. The dissertation is usually done cumulatively on the basis of three scientific papers.

We offer an attractive salary and a personal, annual research budget to cover research-related costs (e.g., conference visits, research colloquia, hardware and software). In addition, tuition fees for doctoral studies at KLU are waived. KLU guarantees very good working conditions, a very positive working atmosphere, as well as a dedicated team and an international environment with a high degree of creative freedom. The position is planned for four years. At KLU, you will work with open-minded and ambitious colleagues in an international, multicultural atmosphere at the attractive HafenCity location. Part of the research can be conducted in collaboration with a research partner abroad (e.g. Queensland University of Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, University of Toronto).

We value diversity
We value diversity and therefore welcome all applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion and belief, disability, age and sexual orientation, and identity.