Are you passionate about AI & Robotics? Are you eager to work on a cutting-edge research project that aims to achieve verifiably safe autonomy for robots that share the same space with people? Then, this position is a great opportunity for you to professionally grow and become an expert in the highly demanded fields of AI & Robotics at the center of the Brainport region in the Netherlands. You will contribute to a research project that aims to integrate perception, control and learning in the design of novel interpretable computational tools for real-time motion prediction and planning of autonomous mobile systems.

Safety and risk assessment of emerging technologies in autonomous driving, assistive & service robotics, and human-robot interaction is crucial for their practical deployment in real life. The Dynamics & Control (D&C) Group of the Department of Mechanical Engineering is looking for a new highly motivated group member to conduct high-risk, high-gain fundamental research on safe robot motion prediction and planning. This research project is fully funded by the Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute (EAISI). You will work in a dynamic and ambitious academic environment and have many opportunities to cooperate with both D&C and EAISI members and to present your research at leading AI & Robotics conferences and journals.

In this project, you will develop new interpretable machine learning algorithms for real-time motion prediction of autonomous mobile robots in order to design verifiably safe robot motion in complex dynamic environments that include people and other robots and vehicles. The research objective is to design, implement, and experimentally demonstrate model-based and data-driven real-time algorithms for

• Egocentric motion prediction of highly dynamic autonomous mobile robots,
• Allocentric motion prediction of autonomous mobile robots in dynamic environments,
• Risk-aware motion planning via motion prediction.

Eindhoven University of Technology

TU Eindhoven (TU/e) is a young mid-size university of technology located in the heart of the high-tech industry in the Netherlands, named the Brainport region. As of 2020, English is the official language of the university. TU/e is a highly ranked university both in research and education. Our training and research programs are highly regarded, and we foster close relationships with companies, organizations and research institutes in the Brainport region and beyond. Fundamental and applied research are equally valued here. The high rank of the TU/e is due to the impact of its scientific research on the industry and society and its strong research cooperation with industry. TU/e is a social and inspiring university with an open culture. You will quickly feel at home, surrounded by people who share your scientific ambitions. TU/e currently has nine departments, with over 11,000 students in total.

Department of Mechanical Engineering at TU/e

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is a core part of TU Eindhoven since the foundation of the university in 1956. Education and research are closely linked and belong to the core activities of the department. The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a bachelor program and several master programs for approximately 1,500 students. Our research focuses on three knowledge pillars: Computational and Experimental Mechanics (CEM), Thermo Fluids Engineering (TFE), and Dynamical Systems Design (DSD). Our scientific staff (including more than 150 PhD students and post-docs) conduct active research in these fields organized at seven independent research groups.  

Dynamics & Control Group at TU/e

Our mission at the Dynamics and Control (D&C) Group is to train next-generation engineers & researchers to understand and predict the dynamics of complex engineering systems in order to develop advanced control, estimation, planning, and learning strategies which are at the core of the intelligent autonomous systems of the future. Our research focuses on the design and realization of smart autonomous systems for both the industry and society. Autonomous vehicles, fully automated industrial value chains, high-tech systems, collaborative robots in unstructured environments, intelligent medical devices, automated transportation networks, soft robotics, together with sustainable automotive technology are key examples of our broad application domains. We develop both model-based and data-driven sensing, planning, and learning and control technologies to provide autonomous systems with the intelligence needed to guarantee desired performance, robustness, and safety. Our group currently has around 20-30 PhD students performing research on these topics. You will become a part of a stimulating research environment and contribute to our research ambitions on safe autonomy in robotics.

Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute

The Eindhoven AI Systems Institute (EAISI, pronounced 'easy') is the new institute of Eindhoven University of Technology in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). EAISI brings together all AI activities of the TU/e under one roof. Top researchers from various research groups work together to create new AI applications with a direct impact on the real world. Building on the traditionally close ties of TU/e with industry, EAISI has partnerships with several leading companies and organizations, both at a regional, national and European level. EAISI research focuses on the use of data and algorithms in machines, such as robots, autonomous cars and medical equipment, which has always been a strong aspect of TU/e and the Eindhoven Brainport region. In addition, EAISI focus on widening AI by bringing in the human element, including trustworthy and transparent methods resulting in moral and ethical AI. EAISI follows an integrated multidisciplinary systems approach on AI with key contributions from three key knowledge domains, data science and algorithmic design, humans and ethics, and engineering systems, that is applied to three application domains, high-tech systems and robotics, healthcare, and mobility.

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic PhD student who meet the following requirements:

• A master's degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Systems & Control, or related disciplines.
• Strong analytical skills and solid background on dynamical systems theory, robotics, and machine learning.
• Excellent programming skills in Matlab, Python, and C++, and preferably hands-on experience with ROS, Gazebo, and real robot hardware.
• Excellent communication (academic writing, speaking and presentation) skills in English. 
• An independent, creative problem solver and a pro-active, responsible team player.

At TU/e, we offer:

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences.
• A full-time employment for four years (starting as soon as possible), with an intermediate evaluation after one year.
• To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program).
• A gross monthly salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.