PhD and Postdoc Positions in the Research Group Systems, Data, Simulation & Energy (SYDSEN)

Employer Description

The research group Systems, Data, Simulation & Energy (SYDSEN, pronounced "side-sin") at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is dedicated to advancing the field of Modeling and Simulation by developing new methods to utilize the abundant data from readily accessible Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Additionally, the research group investigates the synergies between Artificial Intelligence and Simulation to enhance both fields.

The application areas focus on cyber-physical systems, including smart factories and energy systems, with the aim of improving various performance metrics such as energy efficiency, production, and reliability. Our research contributes to optimizing the use of these systems and harnessing the benefits of IoT technology.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is a top European research university formed in 2009 by merging Karlsruhe University and Karlsruhe Research Center. With 9000+ employees, half focused on research, KIT has a budget of EUR 900 million. It unites tradition with interdisciplinary research across natural sciences, engineering, economics, and more. As Germany's sole University of Excellence in national large-scale research, KIT offers unparalleled development opportunities for young researchers. KIT also encourages an entrepreneurial spirit and offers an exciting global work environment for staff supporting scientists in tackling major societal challenges

Role Description

This is a full-time on-site role located in Karlsruhe for PhD and Postdoc positions in the Research Group Systems, Data, Simulation & Energy (SYDSEN). As a member of the Research Group SYDSEN, you will collaborate with a team of experts in the fields of data science, simulation, system engineering, and energy to develop innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges. Your responsibilities will include conducting original research and producing high-quality publications, contributing to the development of new research projects, mentoring junior team members, coordination and teaching of courses that are offered by the research group, and presenting research results at scientific conferences.

Some of the positions will be linked to our project ONE4ALL (Horizon Europe 2022), which aims to boost manufacturing plants’ transformation, especially SMEs, towards industry 5.0 (I5.0), reinforcing their resilience under unexpected changes in social needs. This will be done through a human-and-sustainability-centred development of plug-and-produce reconfigurable cyber-physical production modules (RCPMs). Those will consist of self-reconfigurable mobile collaborative robots embedded with IIOT devices for real-time monitorisation and interconnectivity. Our part in this project is the digital replication of the physical modules and processes through data-driven digital twins and controlled by a self-learning AI-based distributed and multidisciplinary decision support system (DSS).

Some of the positions will be linked to our project DMaaST (Horizon Europe 2023). DMaaST (Digital Manufacturing as a Service Technology) aims to enhance manufacturing ecosystem resilience and adaptability through a Smart Manufacturing Platform with four layers. The data layer integrates real-time information using ontologies and decentralized knowledge graphs. The second layer involves a two-level cognitive digital twin modeling production lines and value chains. The third layer employs a multi-objective distributed decision support system algorithm, making digital twins actionable for optimal production decisions. The fourth layer presents information through user-friendly scoreboards. A dedicated module assesses production circularity and sustainability, improving remanufacturing opportunities. The project ensures scalability, facilitating the adoption of Manufacturing as a Service in aerospace and electronics by evolving technologies from TRL3 to TRL6.  Our part in this project is the digital replication of the manufacturing processes through data-driven digital twins, built from “everything we know” about a system, including first-principle models, expert knowledge and data. We are also involved in validating the digital twins-generated scenarios for evaluating risks with use-cases.

Qualifications

For PhD candidates:

• A master degree in computer science, software engineering, data science or similar,
• Strong interest in working with data-driven approaches,
• Interest in working with formal methods, and modeling and simulation,
• Strong ambition towards excellence in science and technology at the highest international level is expected,
• Good knowledge of German or the willingness to learn it,
• Good command of English.

For PostDoc candidates:

• A doctoral degree in computer science, software engineering, data science or similar,
• Solid publication record in data-driven approaches,
• Strong ambition towards excellence in science and technology at the highest international level is expected,
• Experience in teaching is highly appreciated,
• Experience with writing proposals is highly appreciated,
• Experience in modeling and simulation is highly appreciated,
• Good knowledge of German or the willingness to learn it,
• Good command of English.

Salary

The remuneration occurs on the basis of the wage agreement of the civil service in EG-13, depending on the fulfillment of professional and personal requirements.

Starting date

as soon as possible

Contract duration

PhD positions are limited to four years, PostDoc positions are limited to two years with a possibility of extension

Contact person in line-management

For further information, please contact Prof. Sanja Lazarova-Molnar, email: [email protected] 

Application

Please send CV, transcripts and a copy of your Master's thesis (for PhD applications; draft is ok), names of two references and a motivation letter stating your research interests to [email protected], subject: "PhD application" or "postdoc application". Send all documents as a single PDF; give the PDF a name that includes your name. The positions are open until filled.