Two PhD positions on Modular Control Systems Design using Assume-Guarantee Contracts

We offer two four-year PhD positions in systems and control theory at the University of Groningen. The projects will develop a powerful framework to enable the design of the large-scale control systems of the future.

What are you going to do?

The increasing complexity and ever-tighter performance requirements on systems such as occurring in high-tech manufacturing, autonomous vehicles, and smart energy poses many challenges to the current status of control theory. Namely, existing control methods do not scale with the increased size and heterogeneity of such systems, which typically comprise a large number of distinct but interacting components.

These projects address these challenges by contributing to the development of a control theory that is inherently modular, i.e., that allows for considering components independently. Inspired by so-called contract theories from computer science, such modular control theory will be based on the introduction of assume-guarantee contracts for control systems. These contracts should have two desired features: i) be capable of expressing rich specifications; and ii) come equipped with a theory of compositional analysis that allows for translating component-level specifications to system-level specifications.

The two PhD positions will focus on the use of contracts for modular control system design, targeting the following:

1.     Contract synthesis, that is, the design of component-level specifications guaranteeing system-level specifications and performance.

2.     Component and controller co-design, according to component-level specifications.

These positions are part of the recent large project “Contracts for Control System Design”, funded by the European Research Council. As such, the PhD candidates will be part of a research team at the University of Groningen working on the rich topic of contract-based modular system verification and design. National and international collaboration, including attendance of conferences, will be facilitated and stimulated.

Employed PhD candidates are expected to spend 10% of their working hours on teaching and/or supervising candidates.

We are looking for enthusiastic candidates satisfying the following criteria:

·        You have a keen interest in pursuing fundamental research in systems and control theory.

·        You have a recent MSc degree in Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or another relevant field, with specialization or interest in systems and control theory.

·        You have strong analytical skills and interest in mathematical systems theory and complex dynamical systems.

·        You are fluent in spoken and written English, have a positive attitude, and an interest in collaborating with fellow PhD students, postdocs, and PIs.

• 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) provides teaching and research across a wide range of disciplines, from physics and biology to artificial intelligence, mechanical engineering, and pharmacy. In close collaboration with partners from industry, healthcare, and society, we contribute to the urgent challenges of our time, such as energy, sustainability, digitization, and medical technology. Our community is open and informal, with more than 7,000 students, 1,000 PhD students, and 1,400 staff members from all over the world. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Science and Engineering, visit rug.nl/fse. 

The positions are in the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The successful candidates would become a member of the Systems, Control, and Optimization group of the (Applied) Mathematics Department, which is a lively and active research environment. The candidates would be supervised by Bart Besselink.

Do you have any questions or need more information?

Questions about the content of the job?
Bart Besselink (Associate Professor): B.Besselink@rug.nl

Questions about your application process?
Femke Postma (Human Resources Adviser): femke.postma@rug.nl