PhD in Intelligent Information & Incentive Design for Cyber-Physical Systems (V24.0341)

A fully funded PhD position is available at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. The PhD project focuses on utilizing control theory, optimization, and learning algorithms to design intelligent system operators that guide user behavior toward socially desirable outcomes. By integrating theory with practical applications, the research aims to transform how we navigate cyber-physical systems in the digital age, with applications in power systems and traffic networks, where user interactions with the system operator are essential.

Apart from the research project, the candidate is expected to contribute (~10% of total workload) to the teaching and supervision of Bachelor and Master students.

The position will be supervised by Prof. Nima Monshizadeh and Prof. Bayu Jayawardhana, and the candidate will be embedded at the Engineering Technology Institute of the University of Groningen (ENTEG). ENTEG research is highly multidisciplinary in nature and focuses on both fundamental and applied research. The candidate will be a member of the Jan C. Willems Center for Systems and Control which is recognized for its long tradition in mathematical systems theory and its strength in linear/nonlinear systems analysis and control of complex networks. According to the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2023, Automation and Control Engineering at the University of Groningen is ranked 3rd in Europe and 19th worldwide.

The University of Groningen is a research university with a global outlook, deeply rooted in Groningen, City of Talent. Quality has had top priority for four hundred years, and with success: the University is currently in or around the top 100 on several influential ranking lists.

We are looking for candidates with a strong mathematical background and a Master degree in Control Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

Note that the faculty enforces proof of proficiency in English: https://www.rug.nl/education/phd-programmes/prospective/phd-positions/

We offer you, following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

• A salary of € 2,770 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,539 gross per month in the fourth and final year for a full-time working week.
• A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• A full-time position (1.0 FTE). The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.

Are you interested in this position and meet the qualification criteria? If yes, your application should include:

• A statement of motivation, listing down relevant research experience (max 1 page).
• Curriculum Vitae.
• Transcripts from your Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.
• Any other relevant documents (e.g., awards, publications, language skills/certification).

The position remains open until a suitable candidate is found.

The University of Groningen strives to be a university in which students and staff are respected and feel at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identities. We believe that working on our core values of inclusion and equality are a joint responsibility and we are constructively working on creating a socially safe environment. Diversity among students and staff members enriches academic debate and contributes to the quality of our teaching and research. We therefore invite applicants from underrepresented groups in particular to apply. For more information, see also our diversity policy webpage: https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/policy-and-strategy/diversity-and-inclusion/

Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the Recruitment code (NVP): https://www.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/nl/sollicitatiecode and European Commission's European Code of Conduct for recruitment of researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code

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