Scholarship position in logistics with a focus on intelligent procurement

Norway | July 15, 2026

Report as Closed

Company: HØGSKOLEN I MOLDE AVD MOLDE

Country: Norway

Type: Onsite

Employment: Contract

Description: About the position / duties

Procurement is a strategic function within supply chain management that connects organizations to extensive networks of suppliers and partners. Since procurement accounts for around 70 percent of an organization's costs, improvements in procurement can have a significant impact on competitiveness, resilience and sustainability. New developments in artificial intelligence (AI) provide new opportunities to automate, optimize and renew procurement processes, which has given rise to the term intelligent procurement.

Managing extensive supplier networks is a complex task that includes key areas such as contract management, supplier relationship management and category management, while at the same time supporting sustainability goals through the transition to a circular economy. Similarly, managing inventory imbalances, procurement risk, supply disruptions and inconsistent data requires significant resources.

AI has the potential to improve decision-making, increase efficiency and enable new approaches to procurement management, including assessment of supplier sustainability, circular procurement and the integration of digital product passports. This leads to the following research challenge:

How can businesses utilize intelligent procurement to improve operational performance, strengthen managerial decision-making processes and promote sustainability goals?

The research will be carried out in close collaboration with regional industry partners who wish to adopt AI technology in real business environments. The project will contribute to knowledge development, industrial innovation and competence building within the emerging field of intelligent procurement.

Applicants should have a strong Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, logistics, information systems or a closely related field. Candidates with an interdisciplinary background that combines business understanding and digital technologies are particularly encouraged to apply.

The ideal candidate should be able to document a good understanding of supply chains and procurement processes, including sourcing, supplier management, sustainability considerations and business systems such as ERP systems. Basic knowledge of data analysis and AI/machine learning concepts is desirable, especially the ability to critically assess their application in organizational contexts. Programming skills in Python or R, as well as experience with computer platforms, will be an advantage.

The average grade on the master's degree should normally be B or better according to the ECTS scale, or equivalent on other grading scales. For applicants from certain countries, this may require more than five years of higher education in their home country. See the GSU list for relevant information about your home country: https://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education/lists-and-databases/higher-education-entrance-qualification-gsu

The master's degree (or equivalent education) must be at least one full academic year (60 credits) and include an independent scientific work, normally a master's thesis.

We emphasize personal qualities and very good skills in written and spoken English. Since the position preferably involves collaboration with Norwegian-speaking stakeholders, the applicants must have a command of a Scandinavian language at at least A2 level according to the CEFR scale.

The employment period is 3-4 years. If employed for four years, 25% of the position will consist of work duties (teaching, guidance or administrative tasks).

The position is paid with a gross annual salary from NOK 550,800, of which 2% is deducted to the State Pension Fund. Higher salaries may be considered for particularly qualified candidates.

The appointment is made in accordance with current Norwegian rules for temporary positions in the public sector and guidelines for the employment of research fellows at universities and colleges.

Submit your application via https://jobbnorge.no/. Together with the application, you must submit:

• Description of proposed research topic (maximum 5 pages). The description must contain:

  • title
  • outline of the research project
  • problem/research question
  • theoretical basis
  • research method
  • explanation of news value and research contributions compared to existing specialist literature

  
  Applications with project proposals that do not meet these requirements will be rejected. The quality of the project proposal will be the most important criterion when ranking qualified applicants.

• CV summarizing education and work experience.
• Verified copies of diplomas, transcripts and certificates documenting completed degrees, credits and grades from bachelor's and master's education.
• Documentation of English knowledge and skills in a Scandinavian language.
• Master's thesis or equivalent independent scientific work. If the thesis is not written in English or a Scandinavian language, an approved translation of the abstract must be attached.
• Any other scientific publications (for example conference articles) that the applicant wishes to be considered.
• Name, position and e-mail address of three references who can be contacted regarding the applicant's professional and personal qualifications.

Application deadline 15. September 2026

Diversity and inclusion
Molde University College believes that inclusion and diversity is a strength. If there are qualified applicants with a disability, gaps in the CV or an immigrant background, at least one applicant from each of these groups will be invited to an interview. Applicants who wish to be considered within these groups must meet certain requirements. It is encouraged to state this in the jobseeker portal. The information is also used as a basis for anonymised statistics that state enterprises report annually.

Public applicant list
According to § 25 second paragraph of the Civil Service Act, the applicant list can be made public. Applicants who wish to be exempted from publicity must request this specifically and justify their request in writing. It cannot be guaranteed that such a request will be granted.

About the employer:

Høgskolen i Molde – University of Science and Technology in Logistics (HiMolde) is a leading teaching and research institution in several subject areas, with the vision "Knowledge and ambitions" which is reflected in all our activities. We offer more than 40 study programmes, from one-year studies to doctoral programs in areas such as health and social sciences, informatics, law and social sciences, logistics, sports management and economics. We have approximately 315 employees and 3,800 students at our campuses in Molde and Kristiansund. Read more about us here.

The Department of Logistics offers a PhD program in logistics. Read more about the department here.

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