PhD Student Positions in Learning for Dynamics and Control, Robotics, and AI

The Nonlinear Systems and Control group at Aalto University explores synergies between nonlinear control theory and physics informed machine learning to provide formal guarantees on performance, safety, and robustness of robotic and learning-enabled systems. The research group is seeking two talented PhD students with strong interest in nonlinear stability theory, modeling & identification, optimal control, certifiably safe & robust control, and learning for dynamics & control.

The main task of the PhD student will be to develop sound data-driven methodologies for learning control policies with provable guarantees on performance and safety, for example, through the efficient computation of Lyapunov and barrier functions, forward and backward reachable sets, optimal value functions etc. The broad goal is to build upon recent developments in learning Operator Theoretic representations of dynamical systems that focus on model interpretability, scalability to high dimensions, and data efficiency. The exact direction of the research is chosen depending on your experience and interests. Please relate clearly to some of the research topics in your Letter of Motivation.

Outstanding researchers from the areas of Control Engineering, Robotics, Machine Learning, AI, and related areas including Reinforcement Learning, Optimization, Mathematics and Physics are welcome to apply. The candidate is expected to conduct independent research and should have strong analytical skills as well as be fluent in spoken and written English. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to collaborate with the vibrant Aalto research community, including the Intelligent Robotics group (https://irobotics.aalto.fi/) and Aalto Robot Learning Lab  (https://rl.aalto.fi/). The group also actively collaborates internationally with top institutions in the US and Sweden.

Please note that if you are chosen for this position, you will need to apply for the study right in doctoral studies at Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering. Thus, please check the admission criteria and your eligibility already in advance at https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-options/aalto-doctoral-programme-in-electrical-engineering.

WE OFFER

The position will be filled for a period of 4 years (2 + 2). The starting date is in June 2024 or as mutually agreed. The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the salary system of Finnish universities. The starting salary for a PhD student is approximately 2700 EUR/month.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. The position is located at the Aalto University Otaniemi campus which can be easily reached by public transport.

READY TO APPLY?

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. To access the recruitment system, please use the “Apply now!” link below. Applications received before January 31, 2024 (23:59 EET (GMT+2)) will be given guaranteed consideration. Applications will continue to be processed and reviewed following this date until positions are filled, but candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Please write your application and all the accompanying documentation in English and attach them in PDF format. Please attach only the following documents to your application:

• A letter of motivation describing your research interests and how the research fits to the Nonlinear Systems and Control group (max. 1 page)

• Curriculum vitae (include the contact details of at least two references, and if available, a list of publications)

• PDF copy of your MSc and BSc degree certificates, including transcripts of all MSc and BSc university records (grades and courses) and their English translations (Finnish and Swedish certificates are also accepted). Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application purposes.
   

Please note that our recruitment system allows max 5 attachments, so please combine the copies of certificates and transcripts in one PDF, if necessary.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For further information about the application or the position, please contact Assistant Professor Shankar Deka, shankar.deka@aalto.fi. Additional information in recruitment process related questions, please contact HR Partner Camilla Hanganpää, camilla.hanganpaa@aalto.fi.

ABOUT AALTO UNIVERSITY, HELSINKI, AND FINLAND

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 12 000 students, 400 professors and close to 4 000 other faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

Aalto University is the foremost university in Finland in Engineering, Design, and Business. Less than a 15-minute metro ride away from center of Helsinki, capital of Finland, Aalto offers access to rich cultural and social life to help maintain healthy work-life balance. Finland is among the best countries in the world according to many quality of life indicators. For more information about living and working in Finland, please see: https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/for-international-staff and https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/living-in-finland.

Check out our virtual campus experience here!  https://virtualtour.aalto.fi/.

More about Aalto University:

Aalto.fi
twitter.com/aaltouniversity  
facebook.com/aaltouniversity
instagram.com/aaltouniversity