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PhD researcher - Robust optimal feedback control of multivariate industrial systems

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
Belgium
Closing date
Jun 30, 2016

Job Details

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is searching for a motivated and skilled PhD researcher with a strong background in systems, control, numerical optimization and experience with control implementation and validation.

Robust optimal feedback control of multivariate industrial 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 in cooperation with Flanders Make.

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. However, this decoupled control approach fails to address the complex behaviour of many industrial systems. 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 due to the complexity to design and tune these controllers. In addition, the current state-of-the-art 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).

Therefore, in this research project, we will develop methods and software to (i) design simple controllers that are compatible with industrial control hardware but can cope with complex uncertain system dynamics and (ii) 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 auser-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 projecton experimental test setups and models of industrial systems, which are selected in agreement with and based on the input from our industrial projectpartners.

For this ambitious research project, we are searching for a motivated and skilled PhD researcher. You will develop methodologies and software to design robust optimal controllers and optimize the control configuration, you will experimentally validate these methods and you will be involved in the development of the user interface.

Profile

An ideal candidate has a MSc degree in engineering or applied mathematics, a strong background in control, numerical optimization, mechatronics and software development (Matlab, C/C++), and experience with and a strong interest in the implementation and experimental validation of controllers. The candidate should have an enthusiasm for scientific research. Proficiency in English is a requirement, 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:102 (internet-based test), no sub-score under 23
  • IELTS:7.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted), no sub-score under 6.5


Offer

Besides a competitive salary we offer a stimulating research environment within our MECO research team, stimulating interactions with the other project partner (Flanders Make) and involved Flemish high-tech mechatronic companies.

 

Company

Global Academy Jobs works with over 250 universities worldwide to promote academic mobility and international research collaboration. Global problems need international solutions. Our jobs board and emails reach the academics and researchers who can help.

"The globalisation of higher education continues apace, driving in turn the ongoing development of the global knowledge economy, striving for solutions to the world’s problems and educating a next generation of leaders and contributors."

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