The Pervasive Systems Research group at the University of Twente is looking for exceptional candidates for a fully funded 4-year PhD position on Secure Trustable Cognitive Localization Systems. We encourage applications from outstanding candidates with a keen interest in doing research in machine learning for real-world applications.

The main research question of the PhD topic is how to develop machine learning for embedded indoor positioning and navigation systems which provide reliable, robust and trustable services for location awareness applications in dynamic and unstructured indoor environments, such as hospitals, shopping malls, airports, schools, warehouses, and residential buildings.

In particular, embedded AI, multimodal localization, self-supervised learning and federated learning methods will be developed to combine the advantages of various sensing technologies (including WiFi, Bluetooth, inertial measurement unit (IMU), 5G, GPS, UWB, cameras). The sensory information will be gathered, augmented, and processed within personal devices such as smartphone. By doing so, the location and sensitive information of the device/people will remain at the devices, which improves integrity protection and data secureness. In addition, augmented reality on smartphones/Google glasses will be developed for indoor navigation.

The Project
This project is in the scope of the Intelligent Secure Trustable Things (InSecTT) EU project, of which aim is to provide comprehensive cost-efficient solutions of intelligent, end-to-end secure, trustworthy connectivity and interoperability for industrial applications such as smart infrastructure, building, manufacturing, automotive, aeronautics, railway, urban public transport, maritime as well as health. The project is funded the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme, Horizon 2020. The outcomes would enable products and services based on AI compliant to European values and “Made in Europe”.

The PhD candidate will work at the Pervasive Systems Research group, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. The prospective PhD candidate is expected to perform high quality and internationally visible research that gets published at top tier conferences and journals.

• The ideal candidate has a Master’s degree in either Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, or Mathematics.
• You have experience in telecommunication, signal processing, computer vision, embedded systems, cyber-physical-systems, data analysis, statistical analysis, machine learning and deep learning.
• Interested candidates should be interested in solving analytical tasks and develop prototypes, combined with intermediate programming skills (e.g. in R, Python or C-something)
• Prior experience in generative models, transfer learning, federated learning, deep learning for embedded devices is a plus (with frameworks such as TensorFlow and Keras).
• Moreover, we are looking for a strong personality to defend your research ideas not only at university but also in an industrial context.
• You have good communication skills and you have a strong interest in operating at the crossroads of different disciplines.
• You have an excellent command of English (C1; above IELTS 7 or equivalent).
• You are able to do independent research and have publication skills.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the University of Twente. Your work location is Enschede, but you will spend a part of your time at the Philips offices.

• A fulltime 4-year PhD-position;
• We provide excellent mentorship and a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities;
• You are offered a professional and personal development program within the Twente Graduate School;
• A starting salary of € 2.395 gross per month in the first year and a salary of € 3.061 in the fourth-year gross per month;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• A solid pension scheme;
• Minimum of 29 holidays per year in case of fulltime employment.

The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) comprises three disciplines that shape Information and Communication Technology. ICT is more than communication. In almost every product we use mathematics, electronics and computer technology and ICT now contributes to all of societies’ activities. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. The research which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes MESA+, CTIT and MIRA.