Dear colleagues,
the Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria (DEIB) has an open PhD position on the topic
“Autonomous navigation in uncertain dynamic environments of a drone fleet for collaborative agricultural tasks” (supervisor: prof. L. Bascetta).
We are looking for highly motivated and talented candidates with a strong background in the areas of control and robotics,
as well as interest and passion for multidisciplinary research at the intersection of modelling, control, optimization, and robotics.
The successful candidate will become part of a vibrant multidisciplinary group, with an international scientific profile, and he/she will have access to
the experimental facilities of the Dipartimento di Elettronica, Informazione e Bioingegneria and of the ROSETEA lab
(www.polo-cremona.polimi.it/en/scientific-research/research-laboratories/robotic-sensors-technologies-for-environment-and-agriculture-rosetea-laboratory)
at the Cremona campus of the Politecnico di Milano. Furthermore, the student will spend 6 months at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
(www.epfl.ch), where he/she has the opportunity to develop theoretically-grounded methodologies for UAV fleet coordination.
Specific objectives
- Develop nonlinear and optimization-based approaches to address the problems arising in fully autonomous navigation in partially uncertain and time-varying
environments
- Study distributed and centralized techniques to coordinate a fleet of drones
- Validate the developed control methodologies using hexacopters or octacopters
Requirements
Essential:
- A solid background in robotics (modelling and control) and control theory
- Strong attitude towards problem solving and experimental activity
- Fluency in English (written and spoken)
Preferred:
- Experience with experimental activity in robotics
- Experience with modelling software tools (Modelica, Matlab/Simulink)
- Experience with programming languages (Python, C/C++, ROS)
Benefits and Opportunities
- Work on cutting-edge emerging topics at the intersection of control and robotics
- Work in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary and highly international research environment
- Possibility to perform independent research under the guidance of supervisors covering a broad range of expertise
- Broad offer of advanced classes/seminars in the scientific areas of robotics, control, and information technology
- A mobility period (up to 6 months) in an international research group at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
- Involvement in high-quality and peer-reviewed scientific publications
- Participation in international scientific conferences and workshops
- Flexible working time, with result-oriented assignments
Job details
- Contract: Italian PhD scholarship (1400 €/month net salary with a possible increment up to 1600-1650
€/month doing paid teaching support activities, 2100 €/month net salary during the period abroad)
- Expected starting date: 1 November 2023
- Duration: 3 years
Call details
- The call is available at www.dottorato.polimi.it/?id=501&L=1
- The call opens on Wednesday July 26, 2023
- The deadline for applications is September 5, 2023
For further information and inquiries please contact Prof. Luca Bascetta (luca.bascetta@polimi.it).
