PhD on Formal analysis and control of multi-agent cyber-physical systems

Are you our next PhD-candidate in research in the systems and control area? Are you eager to work in a stimulating research environment?

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join our research team for a project focused on developing novel methodologies for the formal analysis and control of multi-agent cyber-physical systems (CPS). The project integrates techniques from control theory, formal methods, and multi-agent planning to address key challenges in the design of intelligent autonomous systems operating in dynamic and uncertain environments.

Information
Our modern society increasingly relies on complex multi-agent CPS –such as smart transportation networks, implantable medical devices, and intelligent power grids– where networked platforms seamlessly integrate discrete computation with continuous physical control process. As these systems grow in scale and interconnectivity, they must satisfy high-level spatio-temporal specifications while ensuring safety, security, and functional reliability within intricate infrastructures. Failures in design or implementation can compromise trust, privacy, and economic interests of the society built upon them.

The primary focus of this project is to develop novel distributed planning and control approaches for multi-agent CPS, in which each agent adaptively makes decisions by taking into account the interactions with other agents as well as environmental uncertainties. The considered multi-agent systems are subject to high-level requirements expressed through formal languages, such as linear temporal logics and spatio-temporal logics, with additional emphasis on security considerations. The doctoral student will develop novel planning and control approaches to address these requirements, enabling complex multi-agent CPS to be secure-by-design and capable of intelligent decision-making, even under uncertainties. The student will also assist in the integration and experimental evaluation of the proposed techniques. These developments will contribute to the resilience, autonomy, and intelligence of real-world autonomous systems.

The position includes contributing to the educational programs in which the Control Systems group is active.

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 assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• 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. € 3,059 max. € 3,881).
• 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.