PhD Diagnostics for interconnected complex dynamical systems

22 Jan 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)

Research Field

Engineering » Control engineering

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Application Deadline

21 Feb 2026 - 22:59 (UTC)

Country

Netherlands

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

36.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Are you passionate about mathematical systems and control theory? Are you interested in working with next generation high-tech systems? The main challenge lies in the reliable operation of the entire system, where many interconnected modules affect each other. In this project, you will be designing algorithms to guarantee the reliable operation of semiconductor machines, together with a highly innovative industrial partner in the Brainport region. If all these sounds fascinating, then this PhD position is made for you!
Information
We invite highly motivated students with a strong background in mathematical control theory, and a keen interest in machine learning to apply for the PhD position within the Dynamics and Control section at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology. The mission of the Dynamics and Control Section is to perform research and train next-generation students on the topic of understanding and predicting the dynamics of complex engineering systems in order to develop advanced control, estimation, planning, learning and diagnostics strategies which are at the core of the intelligent autonomous systems of the future: Designing and realizing smart autonomous systems for industry and society.
Complex dynamical systems, such as semiconductor equipment, consists of many interconnected modules, which are functionally, digitally and physically interconnected. The throughput of the equipment relies on continuous runtime while meeting stringent requirements on accuracy and performance. Therefore, monitoring the health of these systems is crucial, which is now largely performed by human experts. The aim of this PhD project is to design innovative monitoring algorithms for complex dynamical systems to automate fault isolation with diagnostics performance guarantees.
Current health monitoring technology is typically designed for either (i) individual system components/modules (which would require removing the component from the system, which is not possible in practice), or (ii) for the system as a whole. The first approach fails to account for the interaction between modules and its effect on the whole system. The second approach makes it challenging to isolate which module may be failing and how to zoom in on the part of the system that is the root cause of the failure. This PhD position will address this challenge by developing hierachical diagnostic tools for complex dynamical systems.
Topics that you will delve into include:

• Interconnected dynamical systems
• (Distributed) Observer design
• Data-driven approaches
• Machine learning methods
• Fault detection and isolation

This PhD position is part of the project on ‘Holistic Design Automation for Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment’, in which 6 PhD students will be employed at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the department of Mechanical Engineering, as well as the departments of Electrical Engineering and Mathematics and Computer Science. You will have the chance to collaborate with a semiconductor company, ASML to apply the developed results in an industrial context, thereby building both a strong academic and industrial profile.
You will have access to the graduate courses at the Dutch Institute of Systems and Control (DISC ) and will have the opportunity to collaborate with industry in the Brainport region and academic researchers worldwide. By joining us, you will be part of a vibrant community of more than 60 researchers including faculty members, postdocs and PhDs working on diverse topics in the field of dynamical systems and control and its applications.
This PhD position is jointly supervised by Nathan van de Wouw, Tom Oomen and Michelle Chong.

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/jobs/357905/phd-diagnostics-for-interconnec…

Requirements
Specific Requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in systems and control, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or applied mathematics.
• Strong background in mathematical systems and control theory.
• Experience and/or a keen interest in the field of hybrid dynamical systems, observer design, learning techniques, and optimization.
• Knowledge of at least one programming language: Matlab, Python, is expected.
• Eager to work within a team and independently.
• Ability to collaborate with industry and academic researchers.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.

Additional Information
Benefits

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 assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• 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. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).
• 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.

Selection process

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 references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. We give priority to complete applications.
We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Additional comments

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact

• Dr. Michelle S. Chong, m.s.t.chong@tue.nl , https://www.michellestchong.com/
• Prof.dr.ir. Nathan van de Wouw, N.v.d.Wouw@tue.nl , http://vandewouw.dc.tue.nl/
• Prof.dr.ir. Tom Oomen, t.a.e.oomen@tue.nl

at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.
Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment . You can also contact HRadviceME@tue.nl or +31 40 2475902.
Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video .
Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/357905/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

TU/e

Country

Netherlands

City

Eindhoven

Postal Code

5612AZ

Street

De Zaale

Geofield

Contact

City

Eindhoven

Website

http://www.tue.nl/

Street

De Rondom 70

Postal Code

5612 AP

STATUS: EXPIRED

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