PhD in data-driven modelling for event-based dynamical systems

We invite highly motivated students with a strong background in systems and control, statistics or optimization to apply for a PhD position within the Control Systems Technology section at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology.

Major societal challenges in energy, health, and computing depend on advancements in high-tech mechatronic systems, which rely on numerous sensors and actuators. As these machines become more complex, efficient and sustainable data collection is of paramount importance. Traditional maintenance and control efforts that frequently sample data are highly inefficient in this context and may lack flexibility compared to smart sampling schemes that track occurrences of events in signals and systems. This PhD position will develop a new theoretical framework that combines dynamical system identification with event-based data collection. The proposed methods will enhance how we model, control and maintain high-tech machines, improving performance while optimizing sensor use and computational cost.

You will have the opportunity to investigate cutting-edge topics, including but not limited to, data-driven control, system identification, state estimation, and uncertainty quantification. Your work aims to make a significant impact on the high-tech mechatronics sector in the Brainport region in the Netherlands, collaborating with industrial leaders such as ASML, Philips, Canon, and Thermo Fisher, among others.

Additionally, you will have access to the graduate courses at the Dutch Institute of Systems and Control and have the opportunity to collaborate with industrial and academic partners worldwide. You will partake in teaching duties at the bachelor and/or master's levels, collaborate in the supervision of master's degree projects, and attend leading conferences in the systems and control field. By joining us, you will be part of the Control Systems Technology Section, a vibrant community of more than 80 researchers including faculty members, postdocs and PhDs working on diverse fundamental and application-oriented topics in the fields of control and systems theory, cyber-physical systems, optimization, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and systems engineering.

This PhD position is jointly supervised by Rodrigo A. González and Tom Oomen.

Requirements:

We are looking for talented, enthusiastic PhD candidates with a master's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or Mathematics. This requirement is mandatory.

In addition, the ideal candidate would have the following experience, skills and interests:

• Strong background in systems and control, statistics, or optimization, with deep interest in solving fundamental problems in the intersection of these fields.
• Ability to balance theoretical work with applied work, taking ownership of the research project.
• Experience with programming in Matlab or Python.
• Interest in collaborating with an international team of academic and industrial partners.
• Good command of the English language and good communication skills.

Salary Benefits:

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,901 max. €3,707).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

38 hours per week

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