Fully funded PhD position in robotics and building digital twins

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e; website) is looking for a PhD to strengthen its research on world model and building digital twins applied to (distributed) robotic and cyber-physical systems.

Position PhD-student

Irène Curie Fellowship No

Department(s) Mechanical Engineering

FTE 1,0

Date off 22/09/2024

Reference number V35.7576

Job description

Project Description

How can we model building data to enable robots to query the information they need to autonomously navigate in a building? How can we keep the data up to date with respect to changes in structural (e.g., walls, columns) as well as dynamic elements (e.g., doors can be closed or open). How can multiple robots with different sensing modalities contribute to a safe and trustworthy building digital twin data update? These are just some example questions that arise from research into building digital twins and robotics.

Our group has started to investigate some of those questions. In particular, we can effectively derive graph-based environmental descriptions based on data in Building Information Models (BIM) [1--3]. And we have demonstrated the world models can  be automatically generated with data representations that are tailored to what a particular localization [2] or navigation algorithm [3] expects.

In this project we want to further develop and validate innovative methods for generating (semantic) world models from BIM/digital twins that are suitable for navigation and localization algorithms of robots.

In addition, we pose the question of how to dynamically maintain a correspondence between the reality, as perceived by multiple robots through different sensing modalities (e.g. 2D and 3D lidar), and the live data stored in the digital twin in the form of a graph.

For this position, we are looking for a candidate that is fascinated by interdisciplinary (i.e., robotics and digital construction) research and can effectively communicate with an interdisciplinary supervision team. We also appreciate independent and analytical mindsets. This project is in collaboration with TU Munich. The candidate is expected to spend a cumulative period of 6 months at TU Munich.

The researcher will be part of the Robotics Section of TU/e which possesses cutting edge robotics lab facilities including multiple turtlebots, ROSbots, Clearpath robots and state of the art localization systems. The Section counts with a team of 13 faculty members, 26 Phd/Postdocs and 11 support staff. The digital twins of several buildings at the TU/e campus are also available.

References:

[1] Pauwels, P., de Koning, R., Hendrikx, B., & Torta, E. (2023). Live semantic data from building digital twins for robot navigation: Overview of data transfer methods. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 56, 101959.

[2] Hendrikx, R. W. M., Pauwels, P., Torta, E., Bruyninckx, H. P., & van de Molengraft, M. J. G. (2021, May). Connecting semantic building information models and robotics: An application to 2D LiDAR-based localization. In 2021 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) (pp. 11654-11660). IEEE.

[3] de Vos, K., Torta, E., Bruyninckx, H., Martinez, C. A., & van de Molengraft, M. J. G. (2023). Automatic Configuration of Multi-Agent Model Predictive Controllers based on Semantic Graph World Models. arXiv preprint arXiv:2311.01180.

The Robotics Section (RBT; website) section as part of the department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) has an internationally recognized reputation in robotics, including perception, control and knowledge representation and reasoning. RBT targets application areas in robotics for care and cure, construction, logistics, services, agrifood, manufacturing and entertainment. The RBT group has a track record in European projects. It was coordinator of the FP7 – ROBOEARTH project, has been participating in H2020 projects EUREYECASE, ROPOD, AUTOPILOT and SAFE-UP. More recently is a partner of the Horizon Europe projects AI Matters and MUSIT. RBT has also a large portfolio of nationally funded projects (INTEREG, OPZUID, FAST, TOWR, AMBER, HER+).

Since 2005, RBT is the main contributor to the TU/e RoboCup team, named Tech United,  6 times world champion (’12, ’14, ’16, ’18, ’19, ‘23) in the Middle Size League and the 2019 world champion in the @Home Domestic Platform League with the TOYOTA Human Support Robot. RBT is  led by Prof. Renè van de Molengraft.

Job requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in Physics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
• A research-oriented and proactive attitude.
• Good programming skills in python and/or C/C++.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Flexibility to spend a cumulative period of 6 months at TU Munich within the duration of the PhD project.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Proactive and entrepreneurial mind-set, getting things done mentality.
• Active former membership of student teams participating in RoboCup are considered as a big plus.

Conditions of employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,770 max. €3,539).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

Information and application

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow. 

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Information

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Hind Boulgalag, HR advisor (phone: +31 (0)247 5902, email: h.boulgalag@tue.nl or hrservices.gemini@tue.nl

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three referees.
• A list of grades for bachelor and master.
• Optionally letter(s) of recommendation.

Screening of applicants will start as soon as applications are received and will continue until the positions have been filled.