Two fully funded PhD positions on "Robust optimal feedback control of multivariate mechatronic systems"

Two fully funded PhD positions on "Robust optimal feedback control of multivariate mechatronic systems".

The research will be carried out in the MECO research group at the Division PMA of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium (http://www.mech.kuleuven.be/en/pma/research/meco) under the supervision of Prof. Jan Swevers and Prof. Goele Pipeleers, and in cooperation with Flanders Make (http://www.flandersmake.be/).

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The KU Leuven (Belgium), Department of Mechanical Engineering is searching for two young, motivated and skilled PhD researchers with a strong background in systems, control, numerical optimization and mechatronics.

RESEARCH PROJECT: Many companies are dealing with systems consisting of interacting subsystems that exhibit complex dynamic behaviour. The current industrial control practice for these systems is often a decoupled PID-like control approach that focuses on controlling each subsystem separately. Due to its limited number of degrees of freedom, decoupled PID control fails to address the complex behaviour of systems of subsystems as a whole, as well as uncertain system dynamics or systems with varying dynamics. Consequently, the robustness and performance that is achievable with the current industrial control approach is limited and insufficient to meet the continuously increasing economic (installation and operation costs vs. productivity/profit), and ecologic demands.

With this research project we want to take a first step in establishing a new industrial control practice that will enable companies to find economic solutions to control complex systems of interacting subsystems. The current state-of-the-art in control design can cope with complex system dynamics and uncertainty, but fails to make its way to industry mainly because it ignores the economic aspects of more advanced controllers, that is, their implementation cost, which is related to the complexity of the control configuration (the number and type of sensors and actuators and the complexity of the control architecture) and the complexity to design and tune these controllers.

Therefore, in this research project, we will develop methods and software (i) to design simple controllers compatible with industrial control hardware that can cope with complex system dynamics and uncertainty and (ii) to optimize the control configuration in order to manage the costs and pay-back time of a more involved control configuration, and find a good trade-off between costs and benefits (improved performance and robustness). In addition, we will develop a user-friendly design interface that automates the design and supports use by non-experts. In order to safeguard the practical viability of the developments, we will validate the software developments continuously throughout the project on experimental test setups and models of industrial cases, which are selected in agreement with and based on the input from our industrial project partners.

For this ambitious research project, we are searching for two young, motivated and skilled PhD researchers. One researcher (PhD 1) will focus on the development of methodologies and software to design robust optimal controllers for a given control configuration. The other researcher (PhD 2) will focus on the development of methodologies and software to optimize the control configuration and on the experimental validation of the design methods. Both researchers will be involved in the development of the user interface.

Profile

An ideal candidate for the first position (PhD1) has a MSc degree in applied mathematics or engineering, a strong background incontrol, numerical optimization and programming (Matlab, C/C++). An ideal candidate for the second position (PhD2) has a MSc degree in engineering and a strong background in control, mechatronics,programming (Matlab, C/C++), a strong interest to work on and experience withindustrial mechatronic test cases. Both candidates should have an enthusiasmfor scientific research. Proficiency in English is a requirement for bothcandidates and applicants whose mother tongue is neither Dutch nor English must present an official language test report. Acceptable tests are TOEFL and Academic IELTS. Required minimum scores are: Toefl 610 (paper-based) or 102 (internet-based) or IELTS 7.5.

Offer

Fully funded PhD positions (4 years) with a competitive scholarship doing, research within the stimulating research environment of our MECO team and in collaboration with Flanders Make and Flemish companies.

Interested?

APPLY NOW! A START DATE IN COURSE (PREFERABLY AT THE BEGINNING) OF 2016 IS TO BE AGREED UPON.
To apply, send an email to Prof. Dr. Jan Swevers (rocsis@kuleuven.be). The subject of your email should be: "ROCSIS PhD1 application" or "ROCSIS PhD2 application".
Include:
- an academic CV
- a pdf of your diplomas and transcript of course work and grades
- statement of research interests and career goals
- sample of technical writing
- list of at least two referees: names and email addresses
- proof of English language proficiency test results.

You can apply for this job no later than February 29, 2016 via the

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For More Details:

https://icts.kuleuven.be/apps/jobsite/vacatures/53535425