PhD Position in Sustainable Business Process Management and IoT-Driven Process Innovation
Develop novel methods to integrate sustainability metrics into IoT-driven business process management systems.
Best for:Best for Master’s graduates in Information Systems, Business Engineering, or related fields with expertise in BPM, IoT, or data analytics and a passion for sustainability-driven innovation.
Overview
This fully funded PhD position at KU Leuven’s Faculty of Economics and Business (Brussels Campus) focuses on advancing Sustainable Business Process Management (SBPM) by leveraging IoT and real-time analytics. The project aims to bridge the gap between sustainability goals and operational process improvements, enabling organizations to measure, manage, and act on environmental and social impacts within their workflows. Supervised by Prof. Irene Vanderfeesten and Prof. Estefanía Serral Asensio, the research combines theoretical innovation with practical industry collaboration, particularly in smart manufacturing. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research while developing solutions with tangible societal and academic impact.
What you'll do
- Develop novel methods and technologies to translate sustainability objectives into measurable operational process indicators.
- Design IoT-based systems for capturing and analyzing sustainability-related process data in real time.
- Integrate sustainability metrics into process analysis, redesign, and decision-making frameworks.
- Collaborate with industry partners to validate and implement proposed solutions in real-world smart manufacturing environments.
- Conduct research that bridges theoretical innovation with practical applications in sustainable business operations.
- Publish findings in top international journals and conferences, and contribute to academic and industry networks.
Requirements
Degree required: Master’s degree in Information Systems, Business Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related discipline
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; proficiency sufficient for academic research and collaboration
Instruction: English
- Proven expertise in Business Process Management (BPM) or Information Systems Engineering
- Experience with digital technologies, IoT platforms, or data analytics
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and spoken English proficiency
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in research projects
- No specific nationality or residency restrictions mentioned
- Applicants must hold a Master’s degree at the time of application
- No age or prior experience caps specified
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-23 · open until filled
Applicants must submit a motivation letter (max 1 page), CV highlighting academic accomplishments, and a transcript of grades through the online application procedure. The selection process may proceed as soon as a suitable candidate is identified, so early applications are encouraged.
- Motivation letter (max 1 page)
- CV with specified Master’s degree details (programme, university, country, year, grades, and thesis information)
- Transcript of grades and prior qualifications
Contact
Irene Vanderfeesten· Supervisor
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