Postdoc Researcher for Bayesian Optimization and System Identification Partial Virtual Commissioning (26975)

   →  Apply before 29/02/2024 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
   →  Faculty of Engineering and Architecture  
   →  Department: EA08 - Elektromechanica, Systeem- en Metaalengineering
   →  Occupancy rate: 100%
   →  Number of positions: 1    
   →  Type of employment: Contract of limited duration 
   →  Term of assignment: 1 jaar 
   →  Wage scale:  PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree) 
   →  Required diploma: PhD 

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

ABOUT DYNAMIC DESIGN LAB

The research group Dynamic Design Lab (https://dynamics.ugent.be) (headed by Prof. Guillaume Crevecoeur) conducts research on modelling, control and optimization techniques tailored to engineering systems. Our main application areas are Mechatronic systems, Industrial robots and Industrial processes. We are part of the department of Electromechanical, Systems and Metal Engineering (EMSME) within the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture of Ghent University (www.ugent.be/ea/emsme/en).

Our research group maintains close contacts with industrial partners and is associated to Flanders Make (http://www.flandersmake.be/en), a non-profit organization, funding precompetitive research tailored to the Flemish manufacturing industry.

YOUR TASKS

• Your main task is to work on REXPEK, a Strategic Basic Research project funded by Flanders Make. The project resides in the virtual commissioning paradigm where (near) first-time-right commissioning of machines is pursued by means of model based design approaches. The key objective is to develop tools to suggest optimal machine settings through virtual and on site experimentation. Your research will focus specifically on the use of existing and development of new Bayesian Optimization (BO) techniques. BO is a black-box optimization strategy that operates on function evaluations alone originally developed to optimize functions that could be evaluated only through physical experimentation. You will pursue application of these methods that can exploit a model based prior whilst simultaneously identifying a context probability that can(not) be observed.

• Perform assignments in collaboration with industry dedicated to system identification.

• Perform described research and strive towards successful project execution.

• Develop software tools (Python) for probabilistic optimization & identification.

• Cooperate with researchers active within the research group and outside.

• Taking the lead in writing, finalizing, submitting, and revising publications of which you are a co-author.

• Generally, contribute to a positive, enjoyable, and productive working environment.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

A background in modelling, control & numerical optimization methods and experience with system identification concepts is an asset.

Hard skills

• You hold a PhD in electromechanical engineering or related engineering fields such as control & automation.
• You have proven experience with numerical optimization methods in system design (and machine learning).
• You have experience in probabilistic methods (and machine learning).
• You have proven experience in Python.

Soft skills

• You have a team player mindset, a strong personality and work in a result-oriented manner.
• You are creative and willing to work in a multidisciplinary context.
• You are proficient in oral and written English, as evidenced by prior peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, and have strong communication skills.
• You are willing to extend your network and able to talk on technical matters. 

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer you a contract of definite duration for a period of 12 months.
• Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1 to PD4. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits (in Dutch).

​​​​​INTERESTED?

Apply online through the e-recruitment systembefore the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.

Your application must include the following documents:

• In the field ‘CV’: your CV and an overview of your study results (merged into one pdf file)

• In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format

• In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.

• In the field “other documents”: upload at least one reference letter. A link to the PhD dissertation and/or published research papers should be provided (e.g. ORCID, google scholar profile).

Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.

​As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Guillaume Crevecoeur (guillaume.crevecoeur@ugent.be) and/or dr. Tom Lefebvre (tom.lefebvre@ugent.be) by e-mail. Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.

Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read our FAQ or contact helpdesk (dpo@ugent.be - tel. 09/264 98 98).