PhD Studies in SCM & SR
What are PhD studies?
PhD studies at Hanken offer a unique opportunity to deepen your expertise and make a meaningful contribution to research in Supply Chain Management and Social Responsibility. The programme spans four years of full-time study (240 ECTS), combining 60 ECTS of coursework with a 180 ECTS doctoral thesis developed under close supervision.
The degree awarded is either a Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration) or a Doctor of Philosophy, depending on your background and research focus. All studies are conducted in English at Hanken’s Helsinki campus.
You will have access to a broad selection of courses at Hanken and through national and international networks such as KATAJA, FDPE (Finnish Doctoral Programme in Economics), and EIASM (European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management).
Admission takes place once a year and depends on supervisory capacity. We strongly recommend that prospective applicants explore supervisors' profiles via Hanken’s Haris portal or the HUMLOG Institute website, and reach out to a potential supervisor in advance.
What do we research on?
The subject brings together supply chain operations, sustainability, resilience, and humanitarian logistics and operations in an interdisciplinary and impact-driven approach. Doctoral researchers can explore a wide range of topics, including (but not limited to):
Humanitarian logistics
- Humanitarian logistics services
- Crisis preparedness
- Logistics for people in the move
- Humanitarian logistics in conflict and complex emergencies
- Circular economy and waste management in humanitarian logistics
Supply chain resilience and security of supply
- Resilient freight transport systems
- Crisis/disaster preparedness (policy and practice)
- Supply chains and war (sanctions, friendshoring, transport chokepoints etc.)
- Security of supply and critical infrastructure
- Supply chain risk management (company level, including SMEs)
- Medical logistics / medical supply chains
- Technologies and solutions for resilient supply chains
- Maintenance- and asset management in critical infrastructure
Sustainable and responsible supply chains
- Corporate sustainability due diligence in supply chains
- Circular business models and supply chains in various contexts, such as consumer electronics
- Supply Chain impacts of EU sustainability regulatory instruments
- Sustainable innovative last mile distribution
- Technologies and solutions for circular/sustainable supply chains
How is it like, being a PhD researcher?
Throughout your studies, you will be encouraged to take an active role in academic life: teaching, networking, collaborating, and contributing to the broader research dialogue within your field.
As a PhD researcher, your focus will be on developing essential academic skills. During the first year, you will take part in courses and webinars that enhance your methodological expertise and academic writing. These skills will form the foundation for your thesis work and overall research process.
You will also gain experience in teaching by supporting courses as a teaching assistant. Additionally, you will learn how to write competitive grant applications, an important skill for building a successful academic career, and you will have the opportunity to present your research at academic conferences.
In your second to fourth years, you will deepen your subject expertise and advance your doctoral thesis. During this phase, you will engage more closely with your research community by attending and presenting at conferences and workshops, collaborating with fellow doctoral researchers and leading scholars, and possibly participating in research projects.
International mobility, networking and interdisciplinary collaboration are strongly encouraged throughout your doctoral journey.
Insights from our students
SCM & SR at Hanken is a very passionate group of research professionals within humanitarian logistics, sustainability, resilience, and security of supply. I enjoyed the dynamic atmosphere and learning from international experts. I felt I was free to shape my doctoral thesis simultaneously, as I received much support and encouragement from both my degree and thesis supervisor.
What I consider most exciting about doing a PhD at HUMLOG is that PhD students here have the opportunity to participate in research projects and contribute to solving real-world problems. In these projects, I have acquired highly transferrable skills that help me succeed in any field.
Our research centre and its role in PhD studies
The HUMLOG Institute (Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Research Institute) is an essential part of the research environment for PhD students. It provides access to leading research projects, seminars, international partnerships, and a dynamic academic community.
As a doctoral researcher, you will benefit from HUMLOG’s strong global network, be encouraged to engage in collaborative research, and have opportunities to publish, present at international conferences, and contribute to real-world impact in humanitarian and sustainable supply chains.