Position Summary
Michigan State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position associated with the National Science Foundation-funded project, “Improving Disability Inclusion in the Workforce Through Assessment and Augmentation of Individual Abilities and Workflow Redesign in Real-World Contexts.” This is a full-time, fixed-term, one-year appointment based in the Department of Supply Chain Management.
The successful candidate will contribute to research at the intersection of people-centric operations, social sustainability, analytical modeling, and socially responsible operations, with a particular emphasis on abilities-first inclusion and the design of inclusive workflows in real-world settings. The position is intended for a candidate who has completed the PhD and is prepared to contribute immediately to assigned research projects associated with the NSF award.
The postdoctoral researcher will be expected to work on analytical and implementation-oriented problems involving optimization, artificial intelligence, workflow redesign, and stochastic assembly line balancing. The position will involve close collaboration with industry partners participating in the project, as well as interdisciplinary engagement with faculty in engineering, kinesiology, and vocational rehabilitation. Supply Chain Management will serve as the home department for the position. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to work as part of a highly motivated, interdisciplinary research team that includes doctoral students from multiple colleges across Michigan State University.
Primary responsibilities include:
• Conduct research aligned with the NSF project on disability inclusion, abilities-first workflow redesign, and inclusive operational systems
• Develop analytical and computational models related to optimization, AI-enabled workflow design, and stochastic assembly line balancing
• Collaborate with faculty, doctoral students, and industry partners in interdisciplinary research settings
• Contribute to project deliverables, including manuscripts, presentations, reports, and related research outputs
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 -Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Operations Management, or a closely related field
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have completed a PhD by the start date in Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Operations Management, or a closely related field.
Applicants must also demonstrate:
• Strong analytical preparation in optimization, operations research, analytical modeling, or related quantitative methods
• Interest in artificial intelligence and its implementation in workflow or operational settings
• Ability to work independently on assigned research tasks while contributing effectively to a collaborative research team
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
Desired Qualifications
Preference will be given to candidates with one or more of the following:
• PhD training in Industrial Engineering/Systems or Operations Management with a strong analytical focus
Required Application Materials
Cover Letter, CV, Example Papers, Evidence of Interest in the Domain of Work
Special Instructions
If you have any questions regarding this posting please send an email to Dr. Sriram Narayanan at sriram@msu.edu.
Review of Applications Begins On
04/24/2026
Website
https://broad.msu.edu/supply-chain-management
Department Statement
Ranked #1 in US News and World Report, the Supply Chain Management Department (https://broad.msu.edu/supply-chain-management/) is the home of internationally recognized faculty who are among the most accomplished scholars and teachers. The department offers a Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management, a graduate certificate in Elements of Global Supply Chain Management, an MSU in Supply Chain Management, and Ph.Ds 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.
