AI Control Engineer at the Donders Centre for Cognition

Join our AI Innovation Centre and help shape next‑generation semiconductor manufacturing. As an AI engineer, you will turn cutting‑edge algorithms into real‑world impact in robotics and advanced process control.

The Donders Centre for Cognition is looking for an AI engineer to strengthen its team at the AI Innovation Centre for Semiconductor Manufacturing. The ICAI lab is a collaboration between global semiconductor manufacturing company ASMPT and the Artificial Cognitive Systems lab at the Department of Machine Learning and Neural Computing of the Donders Institute, Radboud University, headed by Prof. Marcel van Gerven.

You will translate advanced AI algorithms focusing on closed-loop sensing-based control for high-tech industrial applications. Of particular interest is the development of feedback controllers formulated as recurrent neural networks or neural differential equations as well as developing model predictive control methods. Application domains are setpoint, endpoint and trajectory control with applications in robotics and process control.

My varied and independent set of responsibilities ensures that, even after nearly twenty years, I continue to grow in my role.

Marek Tyc Team Leader IT Support

I have been working at Radboud University for twenty years now, and I still start each working day with enthusiasm. As an IT Support Team Lead, I support brain researchers with all things IT, allowing them to fully focus on their research. I really feel like an essential cog in the bigger picture, which is a huge difference compared to being hired externally for a single project. The IT landscape is constantly evolving, which means I am always learning new things, feeling challenged and enjoying my work. I also value the direct contact with users. Being able to genuinely help someone is incredibly rewarding.

Radboud University is a committed and flexible employer that truly cares about its staff. There is plenty of room to balance work and private life, for example through flexible hours or working from home when needed. That freedom, combined with the sense that my work contributes to something bigger, is what makes this job so meaningful to me.

Does this sound like you?

• You have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in AI, robotics, computer science, electrical engineering or comparable.
• You have strong machine learning and programming skills with a background in control theory, deep reinforcement learning and/or deep learning.
• You are a team player with strong communication skills.
• Experience with software-hardware co-development is desirable.
• Applicants with a stronger focus on hardware development (FPGA) will also be considered.

What we offer you

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 11 months.
• Your salary within salary scale 11 (with a maximum of salary scale 11.3) depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Where you will be working

You will be part of the Artificial Cognitive Systems group led by Prof. van Gerven. The group is part of the Department of Machine Learning and Neural Computing at the Donders Centre for Cognition (DCC). DCC is one of the centres of the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, a world-class interfaculty research centre that houses more than 700 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the human mind. Excellent, state-of-the-art research facilities are available for the broad range of neuroscience research that is being conducted at the Donders Institute. The Donders Institute has been assessed by an international evaluation committee as ‘excellent’ and recognised as a ‘very stimulating environment for top researchers, as well as for young talent’. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary and supportive research environment with a diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute. You will also be hosted (about one day a week) at ASMPT, a leading semiconductor manufacturing company.

Faculty of Social Sciences

At the Faculty of Social Sciences, humanity and society are our focus; we study how people behave, think and feel. Within this context, we look at themes such as human behaviour and the human psyche, education and upbringing, communication, society and culture. The faculty provides education to 6,000 students and employs 700 staff. Education is organised into six programme clusters: Psychology; Artificial Intelligence; Pedagogical Sciences and Educational Sciences; Communication Science; Sociology; and Cultural Anthropology and Developmental Sociology, and the Radboud Centre Social Sciences as an institute for post-master education have been merged into the Social Sciences Education Institute. Our research is carried out within three research institutes: the Donders Centre for Cognition, the Behavioural Science Institute, and Radboud Social Cultural Research.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers.

marcel.vangerven [at] donders.ru.nl