Research Associate and Doctoral Candidate in Production Management (m/f/d)

About the job

At the Institute for Production and Supply Chain Management (PSCM-HSG) of the University of St.Gallen (HSG), we combine excellent research with close collaboration with leading industrial companies. In this position, you will work on current issues of industrial value creation – scientifically grounded and practice-oriented – with the prospect of a doctorate.

About us
The Chair of Production Management led by Prof. Dr Thomas Friedli is divided into three research groups:

• Operational Excellence: Continuous improvement, efficiency and performance in production.
• Global Production: Design and optimisation of international production networks.
• Smart Manufacturing & Services: Strategy, sales and operations for industrial services.

Together we develop solutions for the production of tomorrow – for research, teaching and transfer into practice.

Further information

• More about the Institute for Production and Supply Chain Management can be found here
• Information about the doctoral programme in Business Administration can be found here .
• Please check before applying whether you meet the requirements for admission to the doctoral programme.

Please note: For this position, we only consider applicants with a valid work permit for Switzerland, Swiss citizens or nationals from EU/EFTA countries. Applicants from third countries can only be considered if they have the appropriate work permit.

• Design, implementation and management of application-oriented research and transfer projects with leading industrial companies in the thematic areas of our research groups.
• Active participation in industry and funded research projects including transfer of scientific findings into corporate practice and derivation of evidence-based recommendations for action.
• Development of solution approaches and decision bases together with practice partners (e.g. target images, roadmaps, business cases, business development approaches).
• Planning, conducting and analysing qualitative and quantitative analyses (e.g. benchmarking studies, company studies, interview- and survey-based analyses).
• Preparation, moderation and follow-up of workshops, management meetings and presentations with company representatives and other stakeholders.
• Support in teaching (preparation and assistance in conducting courses), supervision of theses.

• Practice-oriented research: Work at the interface of science and industry with direct impact on the future of production.
• Dynamic environment: A young, committed team with plenty of scope for creativity, flat hierarchies and access to a strong network of research, industry and consulting.
• Individual support: Intensive supervision in the doctoral programme and continuous personal development through targeted training, project responsibility and leadership experience.
• Excellent career prospects: Our alumni mostly start after their doctorate in demanding development and specialist positions in industry, consulting or international organisations – often with rapid assumption of leadership responsibilities.

• Very good university degree (Master) in (industrial) engineering, business administration or a related field (at least grade 5.0 or 2.0 DE/AT).
• Enthusiasm for production management, industrial value creation and operational excellence.
• Initial experience in industry, consulting or project management in a relevant field.
• Very good German and English skills, both written and spoken.
• Excellent MS Office skills; knowledge of R, Python or statistical tools is an advantage.

• High initiative, strong analytical skills and team orientation.
• Confident, professional and reliable manner in dealing with research partners and stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel within the scope of project and research activities.
• Structured, reliable working style and ability to manage several topics in parallel (project and time management).
• Interest in application-oriented research and knowledge transfer into industry.

"A place that creates knowledge" - As one of Europe’s leading business universities, the University of St.Gallen (HSG) is committed to educating over 10,000 students and offers, as one of the largest employers in the region, around 3,500 employees an attractive and innovative environment in research, teaching, continuing education and administration."