Assistant Professor, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
ZHANG RUIJIE
Intake Year: 2018
Research Area: Supply Chain Management and Distributionally Robust Optimisation
Highest Qualification: Bachelor in Industrial Engineering, South China University of Technology, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Assistant Professor Yan Zhenzhen (Nanyang Technological University)
Data Scientist - Machine Learning, Biofourmis, Singapore
HE YAN
Intake Year: 2016
Research Area: Supply Chain Management
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Science in Financial Mathematics, South University of Science and Technology of China, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Assistant Professor Wang Hai (SMU - School of Information Systems)
Lecturer, Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore
WANG PENG
Intake Year: 2016
Research Area: Flexible Resource Allocation, Workforce Management, Stochastic Modelling, Robust Optimisation
Highest Qualification: Master of Operations Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Professor Melvyn Sim (National University of Singapore)
Assistant Professor, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
LUO QIAN
Intake Year: 2016
Research Area: Inventory Management, Supply Chain Management, Revenue Management
Highest Qualification: Master in Management Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Assistant Professor Niyazi Taneri (National University of Singapore)
- Associate Professor Rowan Wang (Southern University of Science and Technology)
Assistant Professor, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
YEO TECK BOON, NICHOLAS
Intake Year: 2016
Research Area: Sustainable Operations
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Management, Singapore Management University, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Assistant Professor Niyazi Taneri (National University of Singapore)
Assistant Professor, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen
DENG QIYUAN
Intake Year: 2015
Research Area: E-commerce and Market Analytics, Retail Operations and Strategy, Business Analytics, Business Models and Innovation
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Finance, University of Science and Technology of China, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Guo Zhiling (SMU - School of Information Systems)
Assistant Professor, Wuhan University, China
LI BIN
Intake Year: 2015
Research Area: Supply Chain Management
Highest Qualification: Master of Management Science and Engineering, Tongji University, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Wang Tong (National University of Singapore)
LIAN WENQI
Intake Year: 2015
Research Area: Operations Management
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Management in Project Management, Tianjin University, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Assistant Professor Niyazi Taneri (National University of Singapore)
Senior Engineer, Micron Semiconductor Asia Operations Pte. Ltd., Singapore
YANG BOYA
Intake Year: 2015
Research Area: Operations Management
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science and Technology, Xiamen University, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Professor S. Viswanathan (Nanyang Business School, NTU)
LU LILING
Intake Year: 2018
Research Area: Operations Management
Highest Qualification: Master of Engineering in Management Science & Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
- Assistant Professor Fang Xin (Chair)
- Associate Professor Onur Boyabatli (Co-Chair)
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Professor Burak Kazaz (Syracuse University)
SUN YUJIE
Intake Year: 2020
Research Area: Dynamic Systems
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Engineering Data Analytics and Statistics, Washington University in St. Louis, United States of America
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- TBA
TIAN KAI
Intake Year: 2020
Research Area: Operations In Platform Economy
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Georgia Institute of Technology, United States of America
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor: TBA
WANG XIAODONG
Intake Year: 2020
Research Area: Healthcare Operations Management, Supply Chain Management
Highest Qualification: Master in Management Science and Engineering, Tongji University, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
- Associate Professor Zheng Zhichao Daniel (Chair)
- Assistant Professor Gao Yini (Co-Chair)
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Wang Hai (Singapore Management University, School of Computing and Information Systems)
JI DEYIN
Intake Year: 2022
Research Area: Healthcare Management
Highest Qualification: Master of Operation Management in Southern University of Science and Technology
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor: TBA
LIU ZUYI
Intake Year: 2022
Research Area: Game Theory, Supply Chain
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Business Administration, Harbin Institute of Technology, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor: TBA
XIE QINXIN
Intake Year: 2022
Research Area: Stochastic Systems, Robust Optimization
Highest Qualification: Master of Data Science and Machine Learning, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor: TBA
LAI JIAYI
Intake Year: 2023
Research Area: Operations Management
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Management, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
TBA
LIU YUZHOU
Intake Year: 2023
Research Area: Decision-making under Uncertainty, Operations Management, Distributionally Robust Optimization
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Mathematics, Nanjing University, China
Dissertation Committee
TBA
MAO MINGZHEN
Intake Year: 2023
Research Area: Healthcare Management and Supply Chain Management
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Business Analytics, University College London, United Kingdom
Dissertation Committee
TBA
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Programme Structure and Curriculum
The programme may only be taken on a full-time basis.
No, there is only one admission each year. It begins in August.
Please refer to Programme Structure and Curriculum.
The duration of the PhD in Business (Operations Management) programme is usually 4 years.
No. You can explore your specific areas of interest while taking courses and interacting with the faculty after you enter the programme.
Exemptions and waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis.
The programme is not offered by distance learning. The courses are conducted at SMU campus and candidates are expected to attend all the courses physically.
Admissions and Eligibility
The minimum requirements for admission to the programme are:
- Undergraduate Bachelor's degree
- Satisfactory GRE or GMAT results
Applicants must show proficiency in the English language. Applicants, whose undergraduate medium of instruction was not in English, are to sit for either TOEFL or IELTS.
Work experience is not a compulsory requirement.
More information can be obtained from the GMAT website and GRE website. The websites provide information about preparing and registering for the GMAT and GRE tests.
SMU's GMAT institution code is as follows:
- PhD in Business (Finance): F8D-7V-78
- PhD in Business (OBHR): F8D-7V-29
- PhD in Business (Marketing): F8D-7V-60
- PhD in Business (Strategic Management & Organisation): F8D-7V-28
- PhD in Business (Operations Management): F8D-7V-22
SMU's GRE institution code is 2861.
We do not have a minimum GMAT/GRE score as each applicant is evaluated on all the credentials.
You can send the rest of the application to us, even if you have not taken the GMAT/GRE. However we will not process your application without your GMAT/GRE score. You should fax us your unofficial scores as soon as you receive them and arrange with the test centre for the official score report to be sent to SMU.
No, GMAT/GRE is a compulsory requirement for every applicant regardless of the academic background and qualifications.
Applicants must show proficiency in the English language. Applicants, whose Undergraduate medium of instruction was not in English, are to sit for either TOEFL or IELTS. More information can be obtained from the TOEFL website and IELTS website. SMU's institution code for TOEFL is 9014.
We do not have a minimum TOEFL/IELTS score as each applicant is evaluated on all the credentials.
You can send the rest of the application to us, even if you have not taken the TOEFL/IELTS. However we will not process your application without your TOEFL/IELTS score. You should fax us your unofficial scores as soon as you receive them and arrange with the test centre for the official score report to be sent to SMU.
Applications
To apply for the PhD in Business (Operations Management), please submit an online application via our website at
/phd-business-operations-management/admissions-fees-scholarships
Yes, there is a non-refundable application fee of S$15.
Scholarships will be available to outstanding candidates for the full-time programme by research.
Scholarship
Monthly Living Stipend
| Citizenship | PhD | |
| Before Qualifying Exam | After Qualifying Exam | |
| Singapore Citizen | S$2,700 | S$3,200 |
| Singapore PR | S$2,200 | S$2,700 |
| Foreign Students | S$2,000 | S$2,500 |
From August 2015, Singapore Citizens will be provided with 17% CPF contribution
Scholarship recipients are expected to be teaching/research assistants during the term of the scholarship. There will not be additional pay for the teaching/research assistantships.
The award of scholarship is at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
Teaching
The programmes are taught by a team of dedicated SMU faculty who have extensive research experience in their respective area of specialty.
Insurance
Please refer to Postgraduate Insurance website here.
For enquiries on Insurance Coverage, Claims Status and Procedures, please contact
Ms Loh May Yee of MYCG & Partners Pte Ltd
Representing NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative Limited
Mobile: +65 9762 2062
Office: +65 8118 6924
Email : smu@mycg.com.sg
Please visit this page again for updates on information session dates.
Admission Requirements
- Undergraduate Bachelor's degree
- GRE or GMAT
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Purpose
- 2 referee reports (A link will be sent to your referees' email directly; Please ensure that you have entered the official organisational email address of your referees accurately.)
TOEFL/ IELTS
Applicants must show proficiency in the English language. Applicants, whose medium of instruction at the Bachelor's/Master's level was not in English, are to sit for either TOEFL or IELTS.
PhD Programme Fees
Please refer to SMU PhD Programme Fees page for detailed and latest breakdown of fees.
Subsidised Tuition Rates
The scholarship provides fully subsidised tuition for all students admitted into the programme from August 2016 intake.
SMU Scholarship
The University awards scholarship and research/teaching assistantships to full-time PhD students on a competitive basis.
The scholarship provide waiver of the registration fee, as well as subsidised tuition. Subject to satisfactory progress1 scholars also receive a monthly living stipend. The maximum scholarship duration is 4 years for PhD programmes. Beyond the scholarship duration, students may receive continued support through research assistantship (RA) or teaching assistantship (TA).
1At the end of each year, the School will assess the student's academic performance and recommend whether to renew the scholarship.
Monthly Living Stipend
| Citizenship | PhD | |
| Before Qualifying Exam *wef 1 Jan 2024 | After Qualifying Exam *wef 1 Jan 2024 | |
| Singapore Citizen | S$3,200 | S$3,700 |
| Singapore Pemanent Resident | S$2,800 | S$3,300 |
| Foreign Student | S$2,500 | S$3,000 |
From August 2015, Singapore Citizens will be provided with 17% CPF contribution
SMU PGR Scholars are not allowed to take up any other gainful employment during the period of their scholarship without prior approval from the University.
As part of their Post-Graduate by Research training, SMU PGR Scholars are expected to work, without extra remuneration, as part-time Research Assistant/Teaching Assistant for up to seven hours per week.
Conference Funding
Students are encouraged to attend academic conferences, and to present research papers at conferences. PhD students with papers accepted for presentation at reputable conferences may apply for funding up to a maximum of S$3,500.
Presidential Doctoral Fellowship
Presidential Doctoral Fellowships are awarded to outstanding PhD students. Students awarded the fellowship receive a higher monthly stipend for one year, and additional conference support of up to S$3,500 during the award period.
Postgraduate Insurance
For more information on Postgraduate Insurance, please click here.
Application
Applicants should indicate in their applications which programme they are applying for. Admission will be subject to the consideration by the Admission Committee.
How to Apply
Please click here on General Instructions for completing your Application.
For Applicant's Self Service Guide, click here .
For Applicant's Guide to Admissions, click here .
Online Application:
Online Application opens from 1 Aug 2023 - 31 Dec 2023 for AY2024 Aug Intake.
*If your application is received early, we may be able to interview you earlier and make you an early offer.
For New User
You need to first register for an account with SMU before you can submit an online application form. Click on Create New Account below to proceed.
For Existing
If you have already created an account with SMU, please go directly to the Login page to continue with your application.
Kindly note that applications without supporting documents will not be reviewed.
Students are encouraged to complete the programme in 4 years.
The minimum duration of the programme is three years. Most students, however, are expected to take about four years to complete the programme. The maximum registration duration of the programme is five years, unless special approval for a longer duration is given by SMU.
The curriculum consists of
- 6 Foundation courses (6 course units)
- 2 Electives (2 course units)
- 4 Advanced Research Topics (ART) courses (4 course units)
The programme also requires the preparation and completion of a PhD Dissertation (28 course units).
Programme Schedule
| Year | Term 1 (Aug - Nov) | Term 2 (Jan - Apr) | Term 3 (May - Aug) |
| 1 | Foundation courses Elective courses | Foundation courses Elective courses | Research |
| 2 | ART courses Research Prepare Dissertation Proposal | ART courses Research Pass PhD Qualifying Exam Form Dissertation Committee | Research |
| 3 | Submit Written Dissertation Proposal Oral Defence of Dissertation Proposal Dissertation Research | Dissertation Research | Dissertation Research |
| 4 | Dissertation Research | Dissertation Research (i) Submit written report of completed Dissertation Research (ii) Oral defence of completed Dissertation | (i) Revise and/or re-submit Dissertation Report (ii) Submit Approved Dissertation Report to LKCSB PGR Office (iii) Dissertation Report from LKCSB PGR Office to GSO for approval |
Year 1 & 2
Six Foundation courses including:
Introduction to Business Research
Linear Optimisation
Probability and Statistics
Foundations of Operations Management
Dynamic Programming
Stochastic Models
Two Electives courses out of the following:
Microeconomics I
Econometrics I
Decision Support and Optimisation
Learning and Planning in Intelligent Systems
Other courses in LKCSB or other schools subject to the Programme Coordinator's approval
Four Advanced Research Topics (ART) courses including:
Topics in Advanced Optimisation Techniques
Topics in Game Theory and Its Applications
Topics in Manufacturing and Service OM
Topics in Interdisciplinary Research in OM
Independent Study I
Independent Study II
Years 3 and 4
Completion of PhD Dissertation
Students are expected to form a PhD Committee in Year 2, including the selection of a PhD Supervisor. Then, under the supervision of the PhD Supervisor, students will prepare and defend their dissertation proposal, conduct their dissertation research, and conduct a final defence of the dissertation.
Graduation Requirements
- Foundation courses (6 course units)
- Elective courses (2 course units)
- Advanced Research Topics (ART) courses (4 course units)
- PhD Qualifying Examination
- Oral Defence of Dissertation Proposal
- PhD Dissertation (28 course units)
- Oral Defence of completed Dissertation
Each course meets for three hours per week during the Term.
Enquiries may be directed to:-
Graduate Research Programmes Office
Lee Kong Chian School of Business
Singapore Management University
50 Stamford Road, #05-01
Singapore 178899
Tel: 65-6828 9585 / 65-6828 0896
Email : msc_phd_lkcsb@smu.edu.sg
