Are you passionate about dynamical systems and system theory? Are you interested in making the design process of complex dynamical systems simpler by smart new tools for systems engineering? Are you eager to apply and valorize scientific results in this field in high-tech domains such as semiconductor machines and robots, together with highly innovative companies? Would you like to work in a team of 4 PhD students? Then, these PhD positions are made for you!
The TU/e offers a Ph.D. position with the ENGINE research project. This NWO (Dutch Science Foundation) project is aims at the development of system-theoretic methods for the design of complex dynamical (control) systems. This collaborative programme involves two universities: University of Groningen, and Eindhoven University of Technology, four industrial partners: ASML, VDL, Demcon and ASMPT.
Project Description:
Complex high-tech systems, such as semiconductor equipment, robots, industrial printers, self-driving cars, electron microscopes, etc., consists of many interconnected modules, together warranting the satisfaction of extreme requirements on speed and accuracy, for example to make the AI chips of the future. Translating requirements on the dynamical behaviour of the system as whole to design specifications (on dynamical behaviour) for these modules is an extremely challenging task, now typically performed by highly experienced system engineers.
Within this project, in which 4 PhD students will be employed (two at the Eindhoven University of Technology and two at Groningen University, both in the Netherlands), you will develop novel tools based on contract-based system theory to automate and make more precise these translations between system and module requirements. This will make design process both better and faster.
The first vacancy at TU/e involves a position within which tools will be developed to analyze system-level dynamics-related requirements (on both time- and frequency domain behaviour) on the basis of such requirements on the modules of which the system consists. Within the second vacancy, this challenge is considered for a particularly important class of systems, namely second-order structural dynamics systems with nonlinearities, often encountered in mechatronic and robotic applications.
You will have the chance to collaborate with 4 different high-tech companies in the field of chip manufacturing and robotics to apply the developed results in an industrial context, thereby building both a strong academic and industrial profile.
The starting date is flexible but ideally would be in the second half of 2025 or early 2026.
Requirements:
The Ph.D. candidate should have
- an M.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems and Control, or Applied Mathematics with a solid background in dynamical systems and control.
- a strong interest and skills in both 1) developing new fundamental theories for contract-based analysis of dynamical systems and 2) applying such novel scientific developments to industrial high-tech applications.
- Affinity with application domains within mechanical engineering such as mechatronics or robotics.
- Excellent communication skills and written/verbal knowledge of the English language.
- Eager to work within a team and independently and the ability to collaborate with industry and academic researchers.
Application:
Online application via the ‘Apply now’ button at the Vacancy Website of TU/e.
Please provide the following information:
- an extended curriculum vitae,
- an explanation of your interest in the proposed research topic,
- your course program and corresponding grades,
- references,
- all other information that might help us to assess your suitability for one of these positions, and
- a publication list (if applicable).
Information:
For more information on the vacancy, consult the website
Vacancy Website of TU/e
or contact Prof.dr.ir. Nathan van de Wouw, N.v.d.Wouw@tue.nl
