PhD Position Computer Science on Algorithms for Planning and Monitoring for Reliable Automation

PhD Position Computer Science on Algorithms for Planning and Monitoring for Reliable Automation

Published Deadline Location
16 Nov 9 Jan Delft
The main difference between offline design and online deployment of automation is that the real world can exhibit changes not accounted for in a simulated environment. The challenge of this project is to develop novel methodology and algorithms to detect when replanning is necessary, and to resolve violations, possibly according to human feedback.

Job description

We consider human feedback to be essential for achieving reliability of automation in the real world. You will conduct both theoretical and empirical research. The project is inspired by real-world case studies from the Netherlands Railways (NS) and we envision results to have both significant scientific and practical impact.

You will be part of the Algorithmics Group in the Department of Software Technology of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science. As a PhD researcher, you will reinforce and extend the group’s expertise in the interdisciplinary field combining real-time monitoring, planning under uncertainty, optimization, and machine learning. You will work in a dynamic and diverse environment of other PhD and postdoc researchers excited about making theoretical and algorithmic contributions in intelligent decision making. In addition, you will collaborate with experts at the Netherlands Railways and ProRail and four PhD students addressing other aspects of railway automation.

You will be supervised by [Dr. Anna Lukina](https://annalukina.com/) and [Prof.Dr. Mathijs de Weerdt](http://www.alg.ewi.tudelft.nl/weerdt/).

Specifications

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Requirements

To be the successful candidate, you should

  • have a Master’s degree in computer science or applied mathematics,
  • have firm foundations in mathematics/logic/formal methods as well as algorithm design, optimization and implementation,
  • preferably have prior experience with machine learning or statistical analysis,
  • have strong programming skills,
  • have research mindset,
  • have collaborative attitude,
  • be proficient in written and spoken English.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 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, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Employer

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 to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Department

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 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.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Anna Lukina (https://annalukina.com/).

Specifications

  • PhD
  • Engineering
  • 36—40 hours per week
  • €2770—€3539 per month
  • University graduate
  • TUD03223

Employer

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Learn more about this employer

Location

Mekelweg 2, 2628 CD, Delft

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Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before January 9th, 2024, via the application button and upload:

  • (pdf 1) your academic CV, including at least one contact for reference;
  • (pdf 2) a motivation letter, including explanation of your motivation for this PhD role and interest in this project;
  • (pdf 3) your Master’s thesis or a paper that you have written, in which you demonstrate your writing (and scientific) skills;
  • (pdf 4) a transcript of your grades.

A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.

Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Application procedure

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before January 9th, 2024, via the application button and upload:

  • (pdf 1) your academic CV, including at least one contact for reference;
  • (pdf 2) a motivation letter, including explanation of your motivation for this PhD role and interest in this project;
  • (pdf 3) your Master’s thesis or a paper that you have written, in which you demonstrate your writing (and scientific) skills;
  • (pdf 4) a transcript of your grades.

A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.

Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Make sure to apply no later than 9 Jan 2024 23:59 (Europe/Amsterdam).