PhD Artificial Intelligence for State Evaluation of Socio-Physical Systems

Job description

Our society relies on well-functioning infrastructure systems, such as transportation, water and energy supply, and telecommunication networks. These systems are highly interdependent, and poor performance or malfunction of one or several of them can create a vulnerable scenario in which a small trigger can become a major issue with significant economic and social consequences. To avoid these scenarios, it is necessary to better understand how this complex multi-system environment functions and how it can be efficiently monitored.

You will address this challenge in your PhD thesis, leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance system state monitoring. The goal is to improve situational awareness by identifying and assessing the performance levels of these systems that may become critical to safety and security when combined in a multi-systems environment. By doing so, this AI-driven approach will support timely decision-making and proactive interventions, ultimately strengthening the resilience of our society. AI algorithms for autonomous remote control (e.g., exploring the environment, collecting data) and automatic data processing will be developed and implemented.

This position is funded by the FOURIER project (Innovative Artificial Intelligence Methodologies for Monitoring and Maintaining Large-Scale Complex Infrastructures and Obtaining Greener, More Resilient, and Smart Societies). FOURIER is a training network funded under the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks within the Horizon Europe Programme of the European Commission (GA nr. 101169429).

FOURIER intends to establish a network of 15 doctoral individual projects working towards advanced system state monitoring techniques—via the use of AI for large-scale autonomous systemic monitoring, inspection, and proactive testing, including the explicit identification of information gaps and uncertainties (information quality) of complex engineering systems to improve their resilience against failures, accidents, sabotage, disruptions, and disasters.

The FOURIER project involves universities (Politecnico di Torino, Technische Universität München, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, National Technical University of Athens), research institutes (Fraunhofer Society), and industry partners (VCE Vienna Consulting Engineers, Infra Plan Consulting and Factor Social) with expertise in remote sensing, data interpretation algorithms, vision-based platforms, software development, and visualization tools.

During your PhD thesis, you will work in close collaboration with the Netherlands Institute for Public Safety (NIPV). To guarantee the applicability of your results and maximize their impact, you will be hosted for several months by the Safety Region of Utrecht (Veiligheidsregio Utrecht, Netherlands) and the European Joint Research Centre (JRC, Italy).

In addition to your research activities, you will participate in educational initiatives at TU Delft and internationally within the FOURIER network, further enhancing the collaborative and scholarly dimensions of the program.

Requirements

We are seeking a highly motivated professional who enjoys working in a multidisciplinary environment. If the following characteristics resonate with you, we invite you to join us on this PhD journey:

• You have a Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Civil Engineering, or a related field with a focus on socio-physical systems.
• You demonstrate competence in AI, machine learning, complex systems, and in processing and analyzing large datasets.
• You possess excellent skills in mathematical modeling and simulation; prior experience in system resilience, safety, and security principles is desirable.
• You have outstanding communication skills in English, both written and oral. Proficiency in Dutch is a plus.

Please, note that if you already hold a PhD degree or have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months within the 36 months immediately before your recruitment date are not eligible to apply under the FOURIER project recruitment rules. All applications will adhere to the security constraints of the organizations hosting the PhD candidate.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Faculty Civil Engineering & Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

As a PhD candidate, you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School, which provides an inspiring research environment supported by an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff, and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is designed to develop your transferable, discipline-related, and research skills.

TU Delft offers a customizable compensation package, including discounts on health insurance and sports memberships, along with a monthly work cost contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants, we provide the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist with your relocation.

As a member of the FOURIER project, you will have the opportunity to visit various institutes and industrial partners for several months each year. You will also participate in a unique doctoral training program specifically designed for FOURIER researchers.