Postdoctoral Scholar-Fixed Term

Position Summary

Join a World-Class Research Environment
The Department of Supply Chain Management in the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University invites applications for a postdoctoral scholar position in logistics, transportation, and food supply chains. The position offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of operations management, supply chain analytics, optimization, and empirical research to develop decision-support tools that improve transportation and market access for small and mid-sized agricultural producers.

The position is housed within the Food Access & Supply Chain Technology (FAST) Lab, an interdisciplinary research group that develops evidence-based solutions for logistics, food systems, and supply chain resilience through close collaboration with industry, government, and nonprofit partners. FAST Lab researchers combine analytical modeling, optimization, machine learning, econometrics, field studies, and close engagement with practitioners to address societally important supply chain challenges. 

The successful candidate will work primarily with Dr. Stanley Lim, Associate Professor and Co-Director of the FAST Lab, and Dr. Adrian Choo, Associate Professor, while collaborating with graduate students, partner organizations, and researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The candidate will contribute to a USDA-funded project to develop a producer-facing transportation decision-support system that enables producers to compare transportation alternatives based on their crops, volumes, distances, and cold-chain requirements, while evaluating emerging transportation strategies.

The postdoctoral scholar will have opportunities to participate in externally funded research, publish in leading operations management and supply chain journals, collaborate across Michigan State University, gain access to unique empirical datasets and stakeholder networks, mentor graduate students, contribute to new grant proposals, and build an independent research portfolio in preparation for academic or industry research careers.

This position is contingent upon completion of the Ph.D. degree (by the start of the appointment) and receipt of appropriate U.S. employment authorization. The appointment is for one year beginning in October or November of 2026, with the possibility of extension subject to performance and funding. The start date is negotiable.

Primary Responsibilities:
•    Design and conduct mixed-methods research, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups.
•    Develop transportation cost models and decision-support algorithms.
•    Analyze primary and secondary datasets using econometric, statistical, and computational methods.
•    Translate research findings into a producer-facing mobile decision-support application.
•    Prepare journal manuscripts for publication at top operations journals, conference presentations, technical reports, and grant proposals.
•    Collaborate with producers, food hubs, logistics providers, government agencies, and other project partners.
•    Present research at leading academic conferences and project meetings.
•    Mentor graduate and undergraduate research assistants.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Terminal -Ph.D. in Operations Management, Management Science, Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Applied Mathematics, or a related discipline.

Minimum Requirements

• Ph.D. in Operations Management, Management Science, Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Applied Mathematics, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated expertise in mathematical modeling, optimization, transportation/logistics research, or data analytics.
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, R).
• Evidence of high-quality research and excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with optimization software such as Gurobi or CPLEX.
• Experience with causal inference, econometrics, statistical learning, or machine learning.
• Experience developing decision-support systems or software applications.
• Interest in agricultural supply chains or food systems.

Required Application Materials

• Current curriculum vitae
• Research statement (including future research plans and an initial plan after postdoc. appointment)
• Two to three representative research papers (published, accepted, and/or working)
• Two reference letters

Special Instructions

In addition to uploading the required application materials to the careers.msu.edu application portal, please send the application materials to Dr. Stanley Lim (slim@msu.edu). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. 

Review of Applications Begins On

11/03/2026

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

https://broad.msu.edu/supply-chain-management/

Department Statement

Ranked #2 in US News and World Report, the Supply Chain Management Department (http://supplychain.broad.msu.edu/) is the home of internationally recognized faculty who are among the most accomplished scholars and teachers. The department offers a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, an MS in Supply Chain Management, and Ph.D’s in both Logistics Management, and Operations & Sourcing Management. The department contributes heavily to the Executive and Full-time MBA programs, online certificate programs, and is very active in executive education programs.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.