Job description

The Control Systems Technology (CST) section of the department of Mechanical Engineering at TU/e has multiple openings for  

Fully-funded 4-year PhD researchers and 1-3 years postdoctoral researchers

in the broad area of 

mathematical system theory, control engineering, process control, (mechatronic) system design, identification, optimization, learning

The positions can be either related to fundamental research or applied research. In the latter case, several already established connections with industrial partners exist, and application domains include the following: 

high-tech systems, mechatronics, robotics for care and cure, automated vehicles and mobility, energy systems (including nuclear fusion, solar fuels, plasma control), large-scale infrastructures (locks, tunnels, bridges), electric driving and flying, precision agriculture.

The positions are aimed at top talents in our domain, both nationally and internationally. The selection procedure is based on excellence. The selection and interview will be done on the initiative of the PIs of the CST section, depending on a preselection and match between research interest (please provide a motivation letter and indicate explicitly which top 3 areas have your interest ordered by importance, it is recommended to check the research lines and groups of the mentioned contact persons). 

1. General mathematical systems and control theory & Hybrid/networked/cyber-physical/secure systems (contact: Maurice Heemels)
2. Optimization for control and design (contact: Pascal Etman)
3. Supervisory control (contact: Michel Reniers)
4. Autonomous driving, automotive design, electric driving/flying, and mobility systems (contact: Theo Hofman, Mauro Salazar)
5. Learning and identification for control (contact: Tom Oomen)
6. Design of mechatronic systems (contact: Maarten Steinbuch)
7. Robotics (contact: Rene van de Molengraft, Elena Torta)
8. Process control and energy systems (contact: Dinesh Krishnamoorthy)

 Control Systems Technology section

Engineered systems and their control are essential to address future societal challenges regarding health, mobility, energy, food, etc. The increasing complexity of these systems requires systematic design, modelling, optimisation and control to improve their performance, monitor their health, and allow interaction between systems as well as their users. Within CST we address these challenges every day combining excellence in research and teaching, teamwork and individual career paths and a lot of fun in the process of improving the world around us. CST is among the largest and high-impact research centers in control globally, where both fundamental and applied research are performed at the highest levels. Current research lines include control and systems theory, cyber-physical systems, optimization, artificial intelligence, machine learning, systems engineering, as well as mechanical design. Applications are often done in close collaboration with industry, where the CST section is uniquely positioned in a key high-tech region (Brainport Eindhoven http://brainporteindhoven.com). Application areas include mechatronic system design and motion systems, robotics, autonomous vehicles and mobility, smart medical devices, energy systems including nuclear fusion, thermal therapies, and agrofood. The CST section currently consists of a diverse and committed team of 29 full-time and parttime staff members and 50+ post-doc and PhD researchers. 

Job requirements

Job requirements PhD 

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in systems and control or another relevant engineering field. 
• A research oriented attitude. 
• Ability to work in a team and interested in collaborating with the industrial partners. 
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).  

Job requirements PostDoc

• PhD in systems and control, or a comparable domain.  
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, demonstrated for instance by a relevant PhD thesis and/or publication(s).  
• Ability to teach, shown by experience or assistance in teaching and positive evaluations of these teaching efforts.  
• Excellent mastering of the English language, good communication and leadership skills. Note that there is no Dutch language requirement.  
• Be a team player and able to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary context. 

Conditions of employment

Conditions of employment PhD  

• We offer a challenging job for four years in a highly motivated team at a dynamic and ambitious University. You will be part of a highly profiled multidisciplinary collaboration where expertise of a variety of disciplines comes together. The TU/e is located in one of the smartest regions of the world and part of the European technology hotspot ‘Brainport Eindhoven’, well-known because of many high-tech industries and start-ups. A place to be for talented scientists!
• A full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no go) after one year.
• A gross monthly salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities. Additionally, an annual holiday allowance of 8% of the yearly salary, plus a year-end allowance of 8.3% of the annual salary.
• Should you come from abroad and comply with certain conditions, you can make use of the so-called “30% facility”, which permits you not to pay tax on 30% of your salary.
• To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program).
• A broad package of fringe benefits, including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes.
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.

Conditions of employment PostDoc

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences. 
• A full-time employment for 1-3 years. 
• You will have free access to high-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization. 
• A gross monthly salary and benefits in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities. 
• A broad package of fringe benefits (including an excellent technical infrastructure, moving expenses, and savings schemes).  
• Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.  

Information and application

About us 

Eindhoven University of Technology is a top-ranking Dutch University that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a number 1 position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. 

The CST section has the vision that a fruitful synergy between the fields of systems and control, engineering design, and artificial intelligence will be a key enabler in taking on the future societal and industrial challenges in the fields of high-tech systems, mobility, sustainability and health. The section shows that fundamental research and education go hand in hand with societal and industrial valorization, as is demonstrated via innovative research projects directly with our industrial partners and the creation of multiple spin-off companies. Indeed, high-quality research and high-quality education are two sides of the same coin, and we educate many engineers for Dutch and international industries and universities. This vision is supported also by the success of our student teams (several times world champion robot soccer and the design of solar cars). The section has a broad funding base and a strong track record in attracting industrial funding and international collaborations, as well as personal grants.

More information 

Questions regarding the scientific content can be directed to prof. Maurice Heemels, (m.heemels[at]tue.nl), prof. Maarten Steinbuch (m.steinbuch[at]tue.nl) or prof. Tom Oomen (t.a.e.oomen[at]tue.nl).

For information about terms of employment, please contact HRServices.ME[at]tue.nl. 

Are you inspired to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit www.tue.nl/jobs 

Application 

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the ‘apply now’-button on this page. 
The application should include a: 

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position. 
• Indicate the level of professorship that you aspire and fits your qualifications.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. 
• Description of your scientific interests and plans (1-2 pages). 
• Statement of your teaching goals and experience (1-2 pages). 

We look forward to your application and will screen it as soon as we have received it. Screening will continue until the position has been filled.   

Please keep in mind you can upload only 5 documents up to 2 MB each. If necessary, please combine files. 

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