PhD and PostDoc Positions in Linear Parameter-Varying Systems Modeling and Control, Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands

Two Phd Positions and a postdoctortal position are available at the Control Systems Group of the Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.


  • PhD position #1: AUTOMATED SYSTEMATIC LPV MODELING
  • PhD position #2: SYSTEM ORIENTED LPV CONTROL DESIGN

Project Description

Linear Parameter-Varying (LPV) systems are flexible mathematical models capable of representing Nonlinear (NL)/Time-Varying (TV) dynamical behaviors of complex physical systems (e.g., wafer scanners, car engines, chemical reactors), often encountered in engineering, via a linear structure. The LPV framework provides computationally efficient and robust approaches to synthesize digital controllers that can ensure desired operation of such systems – making it attractive to (i) high-tech mechatronic, (ii) automotive and (iii) chemical-process applications. Such a framework is important to meet with the increasing operational demands of systems in these industrial sectors and to realize future technological targets. However, recent studies have shown that, to fully exploit the potential of the LPV framework, a number of limiting factors of the underlying theory ask a for serious innovation, as currently it is not understood how to (1) automate exact and low-complexity LPV modeling of real-world applications and how to refine uncertain aspects of these models efficiently by the help of measured data, (2) incorporate control objectives directly into modeling and to develop model reduction approaches for control, and (3) how to see modeling & control synthesis as a unified, closed-loop system synthesis approach directly oriented for the underlying NL/TV system. Furthermore, due to the increasingly cyber-physical nature of applications, (4) control synthesis is needed in a plug & play fashion, where if sub-systems are modified or exchanged, then the control design and the model of the whole system are only incrementally updated. This project aims to surmount Challenges (1)-(4) by establishing an innovative revolution of the LPV framework supported by a software suite and extensive empirical studies on real-world industrial applications; with a potential of technological innovation in the high-impact industrial sectors (i)-(iii).

The PhD positions are within the scope of the APROCS (Automated Linear Parameter-Varying Modeling and Control Synthesis for Nonlinear Complex Systems) initiative funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and it aims to overcome the fundamental limitations of the current LPV framework listed by Challenges (1)-(4).

Phd project #1 focuses on automated systematic LPV modeling to develop (1) systematic tools for converting first-principle models of complex dynamical systems, described by nonlinear/time-varying ODE’s and PDE’s, to low complexity, but exact LPV descriptions, (2) in case of unknown dynamical relations, complete the resulting models by powerful data-driven techniques building on the fusion of system identification and machine learning methods, (3) achieve control / objective oriented embedding of the dynamics of the to be modeled system together with simulation relation based verification methods, (4) achieve incremental modeling with plug & play properties.

Phd project #2 focuses on system oriented LPV control design to develop a (1) radical paradigm-shift based LPV control design framework, where the control synthesis focuses on the resulting controlled behavior (open or closed loop) with the targeted physical system, providing directly a NL/TV controller, i.e., the LPV concept is used as a solution approach for the underlying optimization problem. This requires the development of (2) novel stability and performance concepts and corresponding synthesis techniques with also an (3) objective of achieving incremental synthesis with plug & play properties.

Candidate profile:

  • strong background in systems and control, mathematics (complex functional analysis, abstract algebra), statistics (for position #1), signal processing and electrical machines or mechanical engineering.
  • solid programming skills in C++, DSpace, Mathematica and/or Matlab.
  • good communicative skills, and the attitude to partake successfully in the work of a research team.
  • good command of the English language (knowledge of Dutch is not required).
  • should have completed, or about to complete, a Bachelors/Masters/Honours degree in Systems and Control, Electrical Eng., Mech. Eng. or related areas.

Starting date (intended):

1 September, 2017

Please send a complete CV as well as your motivation letter and transcripts to dr. R. Toth ([email protected]) with a subject of “Phd Position.”


A postdoctoral position is available at the Control Systems Group of the Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands:

Linear Parameter-Varying (LPV) systems are flexible mathematical models capable of representing Nonlinear (NL)/Time-Varying (TV) dynamical behaviors of complex physical systems (e.g., wafer scanners, car engines, chemical reactors), often encountered in engineering, via a linear structure. The LPV framework provides computationally efficient and robust approaches to synthesize digital controllers that can ensure desired operation of such systems – making it attractive to (i) high-tech mechatronic, (ii) automotive and (iii) chemical-process applications. Such a framework is important to meet with the increasing operational demands of systems in these industrial sectors and to realize future technological targets. However, recent studies have shown that, to fully exploit the potential of the LPV framework, a number of limiting factors of the underlying theory ask a for serious innovation, as currently it is not understood how to (1) automate exact and low-complexity LPV modeling of real-world applications and how to refine uncertain aspects of these models efficiently by the help of measured data, (2) incorporate control objectives directly into modeling and to develop model reduction approaches for control, and (3) how to see modeling & control synthesis as a unified, closed-loop system synthesis approach directly oriented for the underlying NL/TV system. Furthermore, due to the increasingly cyber-physical nature of applications, (4) control synthesis is needed in a plug & play fashion, where if sub-systems are modified or exchanged, then the control design and the model of the whole system are only incrementally updated. This project aims to surmount Challenges (1)-(4) by establishing an innovative revolution of the LPV framework supported by a software suite and extensive empirical studies on real-world industrial applications; with a potential of technological innovation in the high-impact industrial sectors (i)-(iii).

The position is within the scope of the APROCS (Automated Linear Parameter-Varying Modeling and Control Synthesis for Nonlinear Complex Systems) initiative funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and it aims to overcome the fundamental limitations of the current LPV framework listed by Challenges (1)-(4).

This 3 years Postdoc position focuses on model reduction approaches to be developed both in the time and frequency domain that aim at complexity reduction of converted LPV first-principle models by balancing the trade-off between complexity and accuracy in terms of the control/user objectives. This concept of reduction is drastically different from the available literature and require fundamentally new concepts to take into account: (1) the true underlying behavior of the represented NL/TV system, (2) how closed-loop measures of control performance effect the trade-offs and (3) how to achieve joint state-order and scheduling complexity reduction which represent two complementary sources of complexity. A thorough (4) understanding of LPV models in the frequency domain is also intended to be developed. This challenging objective would allow the generalization of powerful design concepts of controller tuning and performance specifications together with stability results and model reduction methods in the LTI case to the LPV case.

Candidate profile:

  • strong background in systems and control, mathematics (complex functional analysis, abstract algebra), signal processing and electrical machines or mechanical engineering.
  • solid programming skills in C++, DSpace, Mathematica and/or Matlab.
  • good communicative skills, and the attitude to partake successfully in the work of a research team.
  • good command of the English language (knowledge of Dutch is not required).
  • should have completed, or about to complete, a PhD degree in Systems and Control.

Starting date (intended):

1 September, 2017

Please send a complete CV as well as your motivation letter and transcripts to dr. R. Toth ([email protected]) with a subject of “Postdoc Position.”