Are you an enthusiastic researcher with a proven track record in the area of dynamics and control? Would you like to contribute to the challenging field of digital twinning for monitoring and control? You may be the candidate we are looking for!



The Dynamics and Control Section

The mission of the Dynamics and Control Section within the Mechanical Engineering department is to perform outstanding research and make key contributions to future societal challenges and industrial challenges in the fields of high-tech systems, mobility, sustainability and health. We train next-generation students on the topic of understanding and predicting 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: designing and realizing smart autonomous systems for industry and society. Our section has a broad funding base and a strong track record in attracting industrial funding and in engaging in international collaborations.

The Dynamics and Control section currently consists of a diverse and committed team of 21 staff members, 6 post-doc and 35 PhD researchers.

Our research

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 the broad application domain of the Dynamics and Control section.

The design of these systems requires a thorough understanding of their underlying dynamics. Therefore, the first focal point of our research is on both data-based and first-principle-based modelling, model complexity management, and dynamic analysis of complex, multi-physics, multi-disciplinary and cyber-physical engineering systems. Digital Twinning hence is a core focal point for the Dynamics and Control section.

Building on this foundation, our second focal point is on 'making autonomous systems smarter'. To this end, we develop both model- and data-based sensing/perception, planning, and monitoring and control technologies to provide autonomous systems with the intelligence needed to guarantee performance, robustness, and safety. Hence, digital twin development must be geared towards usage in the scope of monitoring and control.

Combining the investigation on both dynamics and control theory in one section allows to take on these challenges standing in a privileged position. In particular, it enables us to educate uniquely skilled engineers and researchers as well as to valorise our research together with the high-tech, automotive, health-care and energy sectors. While the disciplinary focus of the Dynamics & Control section is on 1) Dynamical Systems and 2) Control (where the combination is a unique selling point), the section focusses on the following main themes:

• Collaborative and Autonomous Robotics.
• Automotive Systems and Smart Mobility
• Intelligent High-tech Systems Design.
• Manufacturing Systems and Smart Industry.

Digital Twinning for Monitoring and Control

To strengthen our section we have an open tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the area of Digital Twinning for Monitoring and Control. Digital Twinning involves the construction of high-fidelity models of highly complex engineering systems, containing multi-physical, multi-disciplinary, and even cyber-physical and networked, aspects. The complexity of such systems blocks a purely first-principles modelling approach and hence a hybrid model- and data-based approach towards modelling, including machine learning techniques, is needed to strike an appropriate balance between model accuracy and complexity, while retaining interpretability and generalizability.

Digital twins hold great promise for online, real-time usage. In this scope, numerous (engineering and system-theoretic) applications of digital twinning can be found in the scope of system monitoring: model updating, fault and anomaly diagnostics (including fault detection, isolation, estimation), root cause analysis and predictive maintenance. In addition, digital twins can support superior decision-making in the scope of fault mitigation, planning and control.

This position will focus on the development of theories and tools for exploiting digital twins for online monitoring and control purposes.

The position

This position will start immediately at the tenure-track level, where the candidate will have a mentor to guide him/her to build a leading research line in her/his discipline, while at the same time has a unique opportunity to enrich her/his research with close collaborations with researchers within the section, as well as outside the section, within our unique ecosystem in the Brainport region. In the context of this vacancy, you are expected to:

• Perform outstanding research in the area of digital twinning and control.
• Teach relevant courses in the broader area of complex dynamical systems and control specifically in the scope of the Master programs on Mechanical Engineering, Systems and Control and Artificial Intelligence Engineering Systems.
• Initiate, acquire, and coordinate research projects.
• Strengthen industrial collaborations of the section within the Brainport area.
• Supervise BSc, MSc, PhD and EngD students.
• Establish research collaborations both within TU/e and (inter)nationally.

Requirements

We are looking for a candidate who adds value to the Dynamics and Control section and matches the following profile:

• Motivated researcher, with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or another provably relevant degree. Candidates should have proven experience in two or more of the following core disciplines:
• Dynamical systems theory
• Control
• System theory
• Dynamic modelling and/or complexity reduction of engineering systems
• Experimental techniques
• Systems engineering, equipment and system design
• Knowledge on relevant application domains such as, for example, robotics, mechatronics, high-tech and cyber-physical systems, automotive systems, transportation systems, health applications, smart industry, energy, agricultural systems, etc.

• Preferably, at least 2 years of postdoc or industrial experience after obtaining your PhD.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research in the field of digital twinning for monitoring and control, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• Motivated to teach, contribute to teaching processes, and to develop excellent teaching skills;
• Strong cooperation skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team..
• Effective communication and leadership skills, including coaching and mentoring of students and staff, leading a project or chairing a group.
• Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English. 
• We find it important that our staff reflects the 50% gender balance in our student population and therefore specifically invite female talent to apply.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• A Tenure Track with the prospect of becoming an Associate Professor.
• The opportunity to focus your career on education, research or impact. You can develop your personal ambitions and objections within the strategic objectives of the university.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• A dedicated mentoring program to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment.
• High-quality training programs for academic leadership and teaching.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates.