Doctoral students in Automatic Control - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Automatic Control is an exciting and broad subject, covering both advanced mathematics and hands-on engineering. Historically, it has been instrumental in many areas, from the early development of telecommunications to the space race. Today, driven by the need to engineer ever larger systems, Automatic Control is more relevant than ever.

We are now recruiting PhD students for two projects:

One project is financed by the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems, and Software Program (WASP). The project topic is analysis of dynamical systems controlled by neural network controllers or model predictive controllers as well as synthesis of such controllers using optimization-based methods. The project can be steered towards the mathematical optimization methodology side, or more towards the control application side depending on student interests. The position includes participation in the WASP national graduate school and possibilities for longer international research visits abroad.

We also have funding from other sources that allow us to make more than one PhD student appointment. Among them, the European Research Council Advanced Grant project entitled “Scalable Control of Interconnected Systems” is devoted to new methodology and tools for control synthesis, learning and verification in large-scale systems, with special attention to applications in energy networks.

Does this sound interesting?

If so, you are welcome to apply for a position as PhD student at the Department of Automatic Control. The department has a stimulating and international environment with PhD students, postdocs, and teachers coming from all corners of the world. Research and teaching are conducted in an open and progressive atmosphere with collaborations both within academia and with industry, nationally as well as internationally. A PhD degree from the Department of Automatic control gives you the perfect base for an exciting career, be it in academia or industry. Lund University and the Department of Automatic Control welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

Work duties

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 ECTS credits), and
• teaching (at most 20%), including lab supervision and exam responsibilities. This part may also include departmental services, such as 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 the applicant: 

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 ECTS credits of which at least 60 ECTS 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 third cycle studies in Automatic Control if the applicant has:

• knowledge corresponding to Automatic Control Basic Course (FRTF05) and a second cycle specialisation of relevance to the subject, or
• an MSc in engineering or corresponding qualification

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Good language analytical ability.
• Curiosity about research and teaching in general, and motivation for the particular research project.
• Creativity with good ability for cooperation and networking.
• Proactivity and personal leadership.
• Persistence and a methodological way of working.

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 cycles. Special attention is paid to the following:

• The results of studies at the basic and advanced levels, in particular control engineering, systems theory, mathematics and closely related topics.
• The ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
• Written and oral communication skills.
• Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Assessment considerations include grades, certificates, and references, but also, for instance, Master’s thesis project and experience from industry, as well as the applicants’ competence within the research projects in question. Assessment considerations also include cooperation ability, drive, creativity, and independence, as well as how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

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 (Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.). A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including up to 20% teaching and departmental service). 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 33000 SEK with yearly raise. We intend to hire 1-2 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 project 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.). You are also asked to answer the selection questions.