PhD student in Hemodynamic Control - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Automatic Control is an exciting and broad subject, covering both deep mathematics and hands-on engineering. Historically it has been instrumental in many areas, from putting a man on the moon, to the development of the Internet. Today, driven by the need to engineer ever larger systems, Automatic Control has never been more relevant. It is crucial for secure operation of many cutting-edge technologies, ranging from integration of renewable energy sources, cloud computing, robotics, Internet of Things and autonomous systems.

The Department of Automatic Control is a world class department with projects in all of the above areas. The department has a stimulating and international environment consisting of PhD students, postdocs and teachers coming from all corners of the world. Research and teaching are conducted in an open and progressive atmosphere with challenges and cooperation both within academia and with industry, with national and international networks. A PhD degree also gives you the perfect base for an exciting career, be it in academia or industry.

Work duties
Control systems in clinical medicine is an emerging field with several frontiers such as glycemic control and automated anesthesia. This project considers control of hemodynamic parameters (e.g., blood pressure, vascular resistance, heart rate and cardiac output) utilizing computer-controlled administration of intravenous drugs and fluid therapy, based on real-time sensor feedback. It is driven by application scenarios within intensive care, foremost organ preservation and evaluation in cardiac transplantation. Data-driven training of estimators for parameters that are not readily measurable, such as cardiac output and vascular resistance will be central to the project. Simulation models will be developed and extensively utilized. Large-animal experiments will be utilized to obtain necessary modelling data, and to evaluate estimator and control system performance.

We are looking for one PhD student, with a background supporting the capability to work in an interdisciplinary research environment comprising engineering and medical researchers. Apart from a solid educational background in engineering, for instance a master’s in engineering mathematics or physics with a specialization in biomedical engineering, you should have a background in programming and documented experience of statistics, signal processing, and machine learning. You also have documented abilities of independently organizing and conduction project-oriented work, producing scientific writing of high quality (e.g., master thesis, and possible articles), and collaboration across disciplinary boundaries. Collaborations with medical researchers, experience of large-animal research models and working with clinical data creditable.

You will be working at the Department of Automatic Control in an international environment, where both Swedish and English are spoken. Good knowledge in both these languages, as well as prior experience of similar work abroad (for Swedish applicants) or in Sweden (for international applicants) is desirable.

The PhD position lasts five years and consists of three main aspects:

- research project, including trips to conferences, seminars etc.,
- postgraduate courses, locally and internationally given (90 credits), and
- teaching (20%), including lab supervision and exam responsibilities. This part also involves professional development working with equality and diversity, arranging events etc.

Admission requirements
A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programs if she or he:
• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for this position if he or she has:
• knowledge corresponding to the course “FRT010 Automatic Control, Basic Course” and a second cycle specialization within biomedical engineering
• an MSc in engineering physics, or equivalent.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English. (Oral proficiency in Swedish will facilitate both teaching and laboratory elements of the work.)
• Good programming, and mathematical skills.

Assessment criteria
Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies.
The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle and documented prior experience from work within interdisciplinary research environments, preferably within biomedical engineering. Special attention is paid to the following:

• Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
• An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
• Written and oral communication skills.

Course background in control systems, biomedical engineering, signal processing and statistics, including aspects of machine learning, Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience. Good language analytical ability. Good laboratory/experimental skills.

Other assessment criteria:
Assessment considerations include grades, certificates and references, as well as other relevant experience that demonstrates competences relevant to postgraduate studies. Assessment considerations also include that the candidates will be judged by their drive, creativity and ability to cooperate and work independently.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

 Other important assessment criteria are:
• Curiousness about research and teaching.
• Creativity with good ability for cooperation and networking.
• Proactivity.
• Persistence and a methodological way of working.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% teaching and professional development). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§. A doctoral student will receive a competitive monthly salary of 30 500 SEK with yearly raise. We intend to hire one PhD students.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research area corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.). Please answer the qualification questions.

Those applicants who will be called for interview, may be asked to perform a small test to demonstrate basic competence.