Professor positions in systems & control engineering

Are you driven to tackle societal challenges through groundbreaking research in systems and control engineering?

Job description

The Control Systems Technology (CST) Section of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology seeks to extend its team with talented individuals with expertise in design, analysis, and control of engineered systems. CST currently focuses on societal challenges in a range of emerging fields, including high-tech mechatronics, energy, healthcare, mobility, manufacturing, and agrofood. In our scientific research, we address the increasingly complex nature of engineered systems, including design, modeling, identification, optimization, learning, and control to improve their performance, monitor their health for maintenance, and allow interaction between systems as well as their users.

About Us

The CST section is among the largest and high-impact research centers in systems and control. It is uniquely positioned in a key high-tech region, the Brainport Eindhoven (http://brainporteindhoven.com), which is home to many leading companies. As such, it is a unique section in which both state-of-the-art fundamental and applied research is performed and deeply intertwined. We prioritize mentorship and career development, providing young professors with strong support and collaboration opportunities. Currently, our section comprises 13 full-time and 17 part-time faculty, and over 50 postdocs and PhD candidates.

Position profiles

We welcome profiles that strengthen our section in research and teaching, including (but not limited to):

1. System engineering and design, including design space exploration, system architectures, and model & synthesis-based system engineering.
2. Process control, optimization and optimization-based control, model predictive control (MPC).
3. Mechanical design for high-precision and opto-mechatronic systems.
4. Design and control of complex networked and cyber-physical systems.
5. Data-driven modeling and control, artificial intelligence/machine learning for control, system identification.
6. Fault diagnosis and isolation, monitoring of high-tech systems, modeling, observer design, predictive maintenance.
7. Applied mathematics for systems, control and optimization.
8. Multi-scale and multi-physics modeling.
9. Any other relevant to the domain of CST.

Relevant application interest and expertise includes:

1. (Opto)mechatronic systems, including semicon (frontend and backend), electron microscopes, industrial printing and advanced manufacturing, laser satcom, adaptive optics.
2. Autonomous driving systems, UAVs and robotics.
3. Energy systems and energy transition, particularly nuclear fusion, green energy, hydrogen, electric flight and infrastructure, etc.
4. Precision agriculture and agrifood systems.
5. Medical and biological systems.
6. Advanced and additive manufacturing.
7. Manufacturing networks and large-scale infrastructure, water locks, tunnels, highway systems, etc.
8. Automotive systems (drivetrains in vehicles), transportation and mobility networks.
9. Process control.

Requirements

The following ingredients are required for the job depending on working experience and level of professorship (Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor). For the more senior profiles we expect academic excellence in all aspects of the required academic profile (research, impact/valorization, education and leadership):

• PhD degree in systems and control or related field.
• Proven expertise in one or more of the above profiles and application domains.
• Strong research record and possibly experience with external funding. 
• Established academic (IEEE CSS and IFAC) and/or industrial network.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Teaching experience and proven didactic skills.
• Proficiency in English.

Conditions of employment

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

• A tailor-made career proposal (Assistant, Associate or Full Professor) will be considered given your experience and track record with the possibility of an immediate tenured position (also at the Assistant Professor level).
• A substantial startup package is included.
• The opportunity to focus your career on education, research or impact. You can develop your personal ambitions and objections within the strategic objectives of the university.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Scale 11 (min. € 4.537,- max. € 6.209,- gross per month) for junior profiles (Assistant Professor). If you have a more senior profile you will receive a tailor-made career proposal.
• Female candidates starting within our department are entitled to join the Irene Curie Program.
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• A dedicated mentoring program to help you get to know the university and the Dutch (research) environment.
• High-quality training programs for academic leadership and teaching.
• An excellent technical infrastructure and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and partner career support.
• The start date of this position is flexible and in agreement with the candidate.

Additional information

About us 

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

The CST section has the vision that a fruitful synergy between the fields of systems and control, engineering design, optimization, and artificial intelligence will be a key enabler in taking on the future societal and industrial challenges in the fields of high-tech systems, mobility, energy, sustainability and health. The section shows that fundamental research and education go hand in hand with societal and industrial valorization, as is demonstrated via innovative research projects directly with our industrial partners and the creation of multiple spin-off companies. High-quality research and high-quality education are two sides of the same coin, and we educate many engineers for Dutch and international industries and universities. This vision is supported also by the successes of our student teams. The section has a broad funding base and a strong track record in attracting industrial funding and international collaborations, as well as prestigious personal grants.

Curious to hear more about what it is like as a professor at TU/e? Please view the video.

More information 

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Questions regarding the scientific content can be directed to

• prof. Maurice Heemels, (m.heemels@tue.nl),
• prof. Maarten Steinbuch (m.steinbuch@tue.nl), 
• prof. Tom Oomen (t.a.e.oomen@tue.nl).

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Josje van Oudenaarden, Senior Recruiter, j.e.v.oudenaarden@tue.nl or +31 643559575.

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

Application 

We invite you to submit a complete application before February 15th, 2025. The application should include a: 

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position. The level of professorship will be according to your qualifications. Make your profile clear (possibly indicating to which profile mentioned above you are closest 1.-8. or other) and which application domains (a. - i. or other) are of interest to you.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications, with a motivated selection of your top 3 publications.
• The contact information of three references. 
• Description of your scientific interests and plans - research statement (1-2 pages). 
• Statement of your teaching goals and experience - teaching statement (1-2 pages). 

We look forward to your application and to potentially welcoming you to our university.