UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE (DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE)
University of Strathclyde PhD Scholarship in Supply Chain Optimization Research
full · phd
- Full UK fees + stipendFunding type
- ~£19,000/year (~€22,000 est.)Annual stipend
- 3 yearsDuration
- PhD (doctoral)Study level
- First-class honours requiredEntry standard
- Supply chain optimizationResearch focus
At a glance
full
Funding
from €22k
Max amount
Mar 31, 2027
Deadline
United Kingdom (home students fully funded)
Country
University of Strathclyde (Department of Management Science)
Provider
The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow offers a fully funded 3-year PhD scholarship for a research project on improving the effectiveness of complex multi-echelon supply chains under uncertainty, with a focus on emergency and disaster scenarios. The successful candidate will develop mathematical optimization models, custom algorithms, and data-analytics tools to tackle questions such as whether cooperative strategies improve post-disaster planning, what recovery time is achievable after a disruption, and how to prioritize which customers or products to serve. The scholarship covers all university tuition fees at the UK (home) level for 3 years and provides an annual tax-free stipend of about £19,000 (about €22,000 est.) per year. International students are welcome to apply, but normally need to cover the difference between home and international tuition fees themselves; exceptional international candidates may receive funding to cover that difference. Applicants must hold a first-class honours undergraduate degree, ideally in a highly quantitative subject such as Computer Science, Operations Research, Mathematics, Statistics, or Engineering; a strong Master's-level qualification and object-oriented programming skills are advantages. The primary supervisor is Professor Kerem Akartunali, who can be contacted directly about the project. The closing date for the relevant cycle is around 31 March 2026 (est.). Because the stipend rate, the fee position for international applicants, and the deadline are set each year, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures and deadline on the official University of Strathclyde page before you apply.
What's covered
- Tuition fees (UK level) — All university tuition fees at the UK (home) level are covered for the 3-year duration of the PhD.
- Annual tax-free stipend — A tax-free stipend of about £19,000 (about €22,000 est.) per year toward living costs for 3 years.
- Funded duration — Full funding is provided for 3 years of doctoral research on the supply chain optimization project.
- Research environment — Supervision by Professor Kerem Akartunali and access to the Department of Management Science's research resources.
- Exceptional international top-up — Exceptional international candidates may receive additional funding to cover the difference between home and international tuition fees, potentially worth several thousand pounds (est.) per year.
How to apply
Applications are made to the University of Strathclyde for the specific PhD project; prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor before applying.
- Contact the supervisor — Email Professor Kerem Akartunali (kerem.akartunali@strath.ac.uk) to discuss the project and confirm your suitability.
- Prepare your application — Gather your degree transcripts, evidence of a first-class honours result, CV, and any Master's-level qualifications and programming experience.
- Apply through Strathclyde — Submit your PhD application via the University of Strathclyde online application system, referencing the supply chain optimization project.
- Provide references and documents — Supply academic references and supporting documents, including a research statement aligned with the project's questions.
- Submit before the deadline — Submit your complete application before the closing date around 31 March 2026 (est.).
Eligibility
Academic standingA first-class honours undergraduate degree is essential; an excellent Master's-level qualification or equivalent is preferred.
Subject backgroundA highly quantitative subject such as Computer Science, Operations Research, Mathematics, Statistics, or Engineering is strongly desirable.
Technical skillsProficient programming skills in an object-oriented language are highly desirable and considered an advantage.
Nationality and fundingInternational students may apply but normally need to cover the home/international fee difference; exceptional candidates may have that difference funded.
The project is supervised by Professor Kerem Akartunali (kerem.akartunali@strath.ac.uk), who can be contacted with informal enquiries before applying.
Eligible countries
United Kingdom (home students fully funded), All countries (international students, subject to fee-difference funding)
Deadlines
2026/2027 PhD entry~31 March 2026 (est.)
Selection
Selection is based on academic excellence and fit with the project. The supervisory team looks for a first-class honours degree in a quantitative discipline, a strong Master's-level qualification where held, and object-oriented programming ability, alongside the candidate's research statement and references. Shortlisted applicants are normally interviewed, and the funded place is offered to the candidate judged best able to develop the mathematical optimization models and algorithms the project requires.
Verified sources
- University of Strathclyde — Scholarshipsstrath.ac.ukofficial
- University of Strathclyde — Official websitestrath.ac.ukofficial
About the provider
The University of Strathclyde is a public research university in Glasgow, Scotland, in the United Kingdom. Its Department of Management Science is a centre for operational research and supply chain analytics, supervising doctoral research that develops mathematical optimization models and algorithms for real-world decision problems.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for this PhD scholarship?
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Applicants for the supply chain optimization PhD project who hold a first-class honours degree, preferably in a quantitative subject such as Computer Science, Operations Research, Mathematics, Statistics, or Engineering.
What does the scholarship cover?
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All UK-level tuition fees for 3 years plus an annual tax-free stipend, making it a fully funded doctoral award.
How much is the stipend?
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About £19,000 (about €22,000 est.) per year, tax-free. Confirm the current rate on the official Strathclyde page.
How long is the funding?
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The scholarship funds 3 years of full-time PhD research.
Can international students apply?
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Yes, but international applicants normally need to cover the difference between home and international tuition fees; exceptional candidates may have that difference funded.
What academic background do I need?
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A first-class honours undergraduate degree is essential, and an excellent Master's-level qualification is preferred, ideally in a quantitative subject.
Are programming skills required?
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Proficient object-oriented programming skills are highly desirable and treated as an advantage, given the project's algorithm-development focus.
What is the research about?
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Developing mathematical optimization models and algorithms to improve complex multi-echelon supply chains under uncertainty, especially during emergencies and disasters.
Who is the supervisor?
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Professor Kerem Akartunali is the primary supervisor and can be contacted at kerem.akartunali@strath.ac.uk.
How do I apply?
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Contact the supervisor, then submit a PhD application via the University of Strathclyde online system referencing the project, with transcripts, references, and a research statement.
When is the deadline?
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Around 31 March 2026 (est.) for the relevant entry. Always verify the current closing date on the official site.
Where do I confirm the latest figures and deadline?
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Check the official University of Strathclyde scholarships and Department of Management Science pages for the current stipend rate, fee position, and deadline.