•    Are you inspired by the prospect of shaping the future of automotive systems?
•     Are you fascinated by the latest developments in intelligent autonomous vehicles?
•     Are you excited to work on adaptive automotive E/E architectures?
Then apply for the PhD position on Distributed adaptive configuration of next generation automotive E/E architectures!

Automotive systems are becoming increasingly complex. Modern features like active safety features, Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS), and autonomous driving have substantially increased the demand for real-time predictable communication and computation architectures within a vehicle. Moreover, run-time changes in the vehicle, environment conditions, and driving scenarios result in the need for dynamic configuration of the data communication network and the available processing resources. This has paved the road for the Time Sensitive Software Defined Networking (TSSDN) concept to be applied for in-vehicle (wired/wireless) networks. Standard reconfiguration protocols (e.g., the YANG model) are used for configuration of various types of network devices at run-time providing an abstraction of the underlying hardware. Therefore, the architecture of the communication network within a vehicle and the scheduling of its resources can be changed over time. Accordingly, the computation resources may need to be rescheduled to fulfill dynamic needs for processing sensory data. This process of reconfiguration must be efficient, real-time, and reliable. The goal of this PhD research is to design, model and implement mechanisms for distributed reconfiguration of automotive resources in a real-time and predictable manner. Efficient artificial intelligence solutions (e.g., reinforcement learning) have promising potential to be used for this problem. The models are expected to be implemented and validated on a predictable multiprocessor platform.

• A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in computer science or electrical engineering.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Knowledge of communication networks and software defined networking.
• Affinity for (semi)formal reasoning as well as software implementations, in particular with C++.
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence methods is a plus.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

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.

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. 

The position will be hosted by the Networked Embedded Systems (NES-Lab) research Lab in the Electronic Systems (ES) group of the Electrical Engineering department, www.tue.nl/es. The ES group is a top research group consisting of five full professors, three associate professors, five assistant professors, several postdocs, about 40 EngD and PhD candidates, and support staff. The ES group is world-renowned for its design automation and embedded systems research. Our ambition is to provide a scientific basis for design trajectories of electronic systems, ranging from digital circuits to cyber-physical systems. The trajectories are constructive and lead to high-quality, cost-effective systems with predictable properties (functionality, timing, reliability, power dissipation, and cost). Design trajectories for applications that have strict real-time requirements and stringent power constraints are an explicit focus point of the group. NES-Lab focusses on design, analysis, and optimization of reliable and low-power embedded networks as a main building block of the Internet-of-Things (IoT).

Curious to hear more about what it is like as a Ph.D. candidate at TU/e? Please view this video.

Information



Do you recognize yourself in the profile and would you like to know more? Please contact Dr. Majid Nabi, m.nabi@tue.nl, or Prof.dr.ir. Twan Basten, a.a.basten@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services, HRServices.Flux@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button.
The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Copies of diplomas and transcripts (with course grades), proof of English proficiency.
• MSc thesis or any other relevant document in English of which you are the main author.
   

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.