The NWO-funded SAM-FMS project will deliver new scheduling and co-design methods by pursuing model-driven and constraint-based synthesis approaches based on flow-shop models of manufacturing systems.  The methods will be developed in close collaboration with Canon Production Printing (formerly Océ) and ESI (TNO).

Delft University of Technology offers a paid PhD position as part of the SAM-FMS project, on the topic of constraint-based real-time scheduling with application to cyber-physical systems such as contemporary manufacturing systems. The position is offered in the Algorithmics group, department of Software Technology, faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, in conjunction with the Delft Center for Systems and Control.

The position will explore a set of related questions: constraint-model learning; design-time and online constraint-model specification and optimisation; adaptive real-time scheduling; and co-design via parametric constraint-based scheduling and reinforcement learning.

Department
The EEMCS faculty includes two Computer Science Departments (Intelligent Systems and Software Technology). The two departments closely work together both in research and in education. The departments jointly employ 60 faculty members as well as 10 teaching faculty aimed at supporting the delivery of world class computer science education at substantial scale. The two departments conduct world leading research in the major computer science disciplines. Their research programs comprise a balanced mix of curiosity-driven foundational research, and use-inspired research in such application domains as health and well-being, creative industry, fintech, logistics, and energy.

The Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering (3mE) at TU Delft trains committed engineering students, PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers in groundbreaking scientific research in the fields of mechanical, maritime and materials engineering. 3mE is the epitome of a dynamic, innovative faculty, with a European scope that contributes demonstrable economic and social benefits.

The department Delft Center for Systems and Control (DCSC) of the 3mE faculty coordinates the education and research activities in systems and control at TU Delft. The centre’s research mission is to conduct fundamental research in systems dynamics and control, involving dynamic modelling, advanced control theory, optimisation and signal analysis. The research is motivated by advanced technology development in physical imaging systems, renewable energy, robotics and transportation systems.

Located in a charming college town, TU Delft is the largest and oldest public technological university in the Netherlands. The university is regularly ranked among the most highly-rated worldwide for engineering and technology. Information about academic careers in the Netherlands and working at TU Delft can be found at www.factcards.nl and Coming to The Netherlands & TU Delft.

The successful candidate will work closely with internal and external partners to help achieve the SAM-FMS project objectives.  Specifically, close co-operation is needed with the industrial partner, and with the Electronic Systems group of the TU Eindhoven and with the Software Science department of Radboud University Nijmegen. You will be expected to be present on-site at Canon Production Printing (Venlo, Netherlands) two days per week on average.

Candidates of any background, with expertise or strong interest in machine learning, will be considered. Your MSc degree can be in computer science, mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, or other relevant field. Competence in Python is necessary and C++ is helpful. Professional fluency in English is required; fluency in Dutch is an advantage.

The preferred starting date of the four-year FTE position is September 2020.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

TU Delft offers PhD-candidates a 4-year contract, with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2325 per month in the first year to € 2972 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

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 Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three disciplines - electrical engineering, mathematics and computer science. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make future-proof. We are also working on a world in which humans and computers reinforce each other. We are mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. There is plenty of room here for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1,100 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.