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2 PhD positions on Data-based Performance Optimization of Controllers for Metrology Equipment

• Personal type: Scientific staff

• Field of expertise: PhD

• Organisation: Department of Mechanical Engineering

• Apply before: 31-08-2025

• Full-time equivalent: 1.0 FTE

• Salary: € 2.901 - € 3.707

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

The Department of Mechanical Engineering department conducts world-class research aligned with the technological interests of the high-tech industry in the Netherlands, with a focus on the Brainport region. Our goal is to produce engineers who are both scientifically educated and application-driven by providing a balanced education and research program that combines fundamental and application aspects. We equip our graduates with practical and theoretical expertise, preparing them optimally for future challenges.

Introduction

Are you passionate about systems and control theory? Are you interested in using data-based and learning techniques to optimize the performance of motion controllers? Are you eager to apply and valorize scientific results in this field in high-tech domains such as semiconductor machines, together with a highly innovative company? Would you like to work in a team of 2 PhD students? Then, these PhD positions are made for you!

Job Description

We invite highly motivated students with a strong background in dynamical systems, mathematical system theory and control  to apply for one of these PhD positions within the Dynamics and Control section at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology. The mission of the Dynamics and Control Section is to perform research and train next-generation students on the topic of understanding and predicting the dynamics of complex engineering systems in order to develop advanced control, estimation, planning, and learning strategies which are at the core of the intelligent autonomous systems of the future: Designing and realizing smart autonomous systems for industry and society.

Complex high-tech systems, such as semiconductor equipment, require extremely high positioning accuracy (at nanometer level) to perform manufacturing and inspection of computer chips. In practice, the performance of (model-based) controllers is limited by model uncertainties and unknown disturbances. This project aims to develop data-based optimization techniques to automatically optimize/tune controllers to warrant optimal performance. As a core industrial use case, we will consider the metrology equipment of Nearfield Instruments ().

Within this project, in which 2 PhD students will be employed at the Eindhoven University of Technology, you will develop novel tools data-based optimization to optimize motion control performance. This will make semiconductor equipment even more precise and faster. By this you will help to shape the semiconductor technology of the future.  This position will help you to build both a strong academic and industrial research profile.

You will have access to the graduate courses at the Dutch Institute of Systems and Control (DISC) and will have the opportunity to collaborate with industry in the Netherlands and academic researchers worldwide. By joining us, you will be part of a vibrant community of more than 60 researchers including faculty members, postdocs and PhDs working on diverse topics in the field of dynamical systems and control and its applications. 

This PhD position is jointly supervised by Nathan van de Wouw.

Job Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in systems and control, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or applied mathematics.
• Strong background in dynamical systems and systems and control theory.
• Affinity with application domains within mechanical engineering such as mechatronics or robotics.
• Knowledge of at least one programming language: Matlab, Python, is expected.
• Experience and/or a keen interest in the field of systems and control.
• Eager to work within a team and independently.
• Ability to collaborate with industry and academic researchers.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.

Conditions of Employment

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. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).  
• 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 ¹û¶³´«Ã½ 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. 

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager prof.dr.ir. Nathan van de Wouw, N.v.d.Wouw@remove-this.tue.nl,
IMPORTANT: always put Mrs. Geertje Janssen-Dols in cc in all your communication (G.Janssen-Dols@remove-this.tue.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services Gemini HRServices.Gemini@remove-this.tue.nl or HR Advice HRAdviceME@remove-this.tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at ¹û¶³´«Ã½? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the 'apply now'-button on this page. The application should include the following documents as a single PDF file:

• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications (if applicable) and the contact information of references.
• An explanation of your interest in the proposed research topic.
• Copies of diplomas and academic transcripts with grades from prior university studies.
• Brief description of your MSc thesis and/or relevant research projects.

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

Reference number: 2025/331