The Intelligent Vehicles group and the Delft Center for Systems and Control (DCSC) at the TU Delft is seeking a PhD candidate with an interest in performing fundamental research on Tensor Decomposition and Deep Learning in the exciting research area of self-driving vehicles.

Mobile robotics and intelligent vehicles with many multi-modal sensors collect and process large amounts of data during operation using cameras, lidar scanners, radars, and possibly even microphone arrays. Indeed, the current state-of-the-art in perception, modelling and control is mostly data-driven. However, the abundance of high bandwidth sensors data results in both online and offline processing bottlenecks. This flooding of data is a major technical limitation in the development of performant algorithms for modelling and control. For online processing, the data flood leads to large storage space requirements, high bandwidth needs for real-time communication, and computational challenges. For offline processing, more efficient methods are needed to train machine learning models on large amounts of mixed, unlabelled data.

This PhD position will explore the use of suitable Tensor Decompositions (TD) to efficiently represent the streaming sensor data. TD exploits low-rank properties of tensor data, similar to the SVD for matrices, which facilitates important real-time high-volume perception tasks found in robotics, and intelligent vehicles specifically. While the self-driving vehicle domain will be main application area in this proposal, developed methods will also benefit other robotics applications, and be of interest to the wider machine learning, applied mathematics, and control communities.

Department
The Cognitive Robotics department within the 3mE Faculty aims to develop intelligent robots and vehicles that will advance mobility, productivity and quality of life. Its mission is to bring robotic solutions to human-inhabited environments, focusing on research in the areas of machine perception, motion planning and control, machine learning, automatic control and interaction. The department combines fundamental research with work on physical demonstrators in areas such as self-driving vehicles, collaborative industrial robots, mobile manipulators and haptic interfaces. Collaborations exist with cross-faculty institutes TU Delft Robotics Institute and TU Delft Transport Institute), the national robotic ecosystem (RoboValley, Holland Robotics) and international industry and academia. For more information, see Cognitive Robotics (CoR).

Prospective applicants should have a strong academic record in computer science, artificial intelligence or robotics with solid background in numerical linear algebra, statistics, machine learning, and/or robotics. Good software development and programming skills are expected, preferably in C++ and Python/Julia. Knowledge of deep-learning frameworks (Torch/TensorFlow) and ROS/CUDA is a plus. A certain affinity towards turning complex concepts into real-world practice (i.e. vehicle demonstrator) is desired. All applicant(s) are expected to be able to act independently as well as to collaborate effectively with members of a larger team. Good command of the English language is required (knowledge of Dutch is not a necessity).

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers both in business and in a social context. TU Delft offers 16 Bachelor’s and 32 Master’s programmes to more than 23,000 students. Our scientific staff consists of 3,500 staff members and 2,800 PhD candidates. Together we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

The Faculty of 3mE carries out pioneering research, leading to new fundamental insights and challenging applications in the field of mechanical engineering. From large-scale energy storage, medical instruments, control technology and robotics to smart materials, nanoscale structures and autonomous ships. The foundations and results of this research are reflected in outstanding, contemporary education, inspiring students and PhD candidates to become socially engaged and responsible engineers and scientists. The faculty of 3mE is a dynamic and innovative faculty with an international scope and high-tech lab facilities. Research and education focus on the design, manufacture, application and modification of products, materials, processes and mechanical devices, contributing to the development and growth of a sustainable society, as well as prosperity and welfare.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering.