PhD in Statistics and AI for quantitative crowd dynamics modeling

PhD in Statistics and AI for quantitative crowd dynamics modeling

Published Deadline Location
18 Sep 20 Dec Eindhoven

Job description

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science of the Eindhoven University of Technology is searching for an excellent candidate for a 4-year Ph.D. position for the project 'AICrowd: AI-Based Pedestrian Crowd Modelling and Management'. Are you eager to work within a pioneering project at the interface between mathematical statistics, artificial intelligence, physics of flowing matter and system identification? Do you enjoy collaborating with researchers from different fields? Then this position might be for you.

Job Description

Whenever our safety and comfort in public areas are at risk because of dense crowds, crowd management failed. Even quite recently these dysfunctions have cascaded into unacceptable catastrophic events. This PhD position is part of the project AICrowd: AI-Based Pedestrian Crowd Modelling and Management, aimed at significantly improving the quantitative modelling of human crowd behavior, and fueled in part by having access to a massive amount of individual pedestrian data obtained through extensive (past an ongoing) experimental campaigns. The project involves two PhD candidates and encompasses three outstanding challenges: quantitative stochastic modeling of crowds, scalable model learning, and optimal actuation for experimental design and control.

In this position you will work in the team of dr. Rui Castro (Mathematics/Mathematical Statistics) and be co-supervised by dr. Alessandro Corbetta (Applied Physics/Fluids and Flows) and dr. Maarten Schoukens (Electrical Engineering/Control Systems). Within the AICrowd project there will be two PhD students, that will collaborate actively in the research efforts, but each with a different focus, culminating in two separate PhD theses.

A substantial part of your research work will be focused both on the development of sound methods for sequential identification of informative data, leading efficient learning of crowd dynamic models, as well as the development of the foundations of adaptive sensing in the general context of system identification. You will be embedded in the Statistics, Probability and Operations Research (SPOR) cluster of the mathematics department and collaborate closely with experts from the Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering departments, among others.

Specifications

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Requirements

Candidates should hold a master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in mathematics, applied mathematics or mathematical statistics. Candidates with a different background might be considered if they can demonstrate they have very strong mathematical foundations. Successful applicants must showcase a strong affinity for formal mathematical reasoning, especially in the context of statistics, probability, and machine learning. Given the interdisciplinarity of this project, candidates must have good organization and communication skills, be self-motivated and independent, and have affinity with complex programming efforts. Research experience will be highly valued. Proficiency in English is also required - if deemed needed the candidate will be requested to supply the necessary evidence.

Conditions of employment

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:
  • Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
  • Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,770 max. €3,539).
  • A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
  • High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
  • An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
  • An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
  • A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services, email HRServices.MCS[at]tue.nl.
Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Additional information

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. 

Eindhoven and its metropolitan area are the major hub of the technology sector in the Netherlands, collectively known as the Brainport region. Many global leaders in technology like ASML or Philips are based in the fastest growing region in the Netherlands. The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science enjoys strong links with the local high-tech industry on all levels. For instance, the Industrial and Applied Mathematics master program was awarded the 2022 UPS George D. Smith Prize. Furthermore, the Dutch workshop center for stochastics EURANDOM is strongly connected to the SPOR cluster and offers easy access to frequent international workshops and conferences.

Fairness, equality, and a good work-life balance are highly valued in the Dutch society and lived at TU Eindhoven. As the heart of the Brainport region, the city of Eindhoven combines all benefits of a metropolitan center with short distances and an excellent biking network. A dense public transport system allows for convenient travel within the region and to all major cities in the Netherlands. Eindhoven was repeatedly ranked among the best cities in the world in terms of quality of life and offers a wide spectrum of cultural and leisure activities.

Application

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more about the position? Please contact Rui Castro (email r.m.pires.da.silva.castro[at]tue.nl).

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button.
The application should include the following elements:
  • Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
  • Curriculum vitae, including the contact information of at least two references.
  • Complete list of courses taken within your educational programs and grades obtained.
  • One-page summary of the M.Sc. thesis or equivalent.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Specifications

  • PhD
  • Engineering
  • max. 38 hours per week
  • University graduate
  • V32.6908

Employer

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

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Location

De Rondom 70, 5612 AP, Eindhoven

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Application procedure

Application procedure

Make sure to apply no later than 20 Dec 2023 23:59 (Europe/Amsterdam).