PhD Fellowship in Control Theory

20th November 2022
Languages
English

• Norsk Bokmål
• English

English
PhD Fellowship in Control Theory
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Job description

The University of Stavanger invites applicants for a PhD Fellowship in Control Theory at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The position is vacant for appointment as soon as possible.

This is a trainee position that will give promising researchers an opportunity for academic development through a PhD education leading to a doctoral degree.

The hired candidate will be admitted to the PhD program in Science and Technology. The education includes relevant courses to about six months of study, a dissertation based on independent research, participation in national and international research environments, relevant academic communication, a trial lecture and public defence. Read more about the PhD education at UiS on our website.

The appointment is for three years with research duties exclusively, or four years with both research and 25% compulsory duties. This will be clarified in the recruitment process.

Project description

Linear parameter varying (LPV) control deals with the control of a special class of nonlinear systems that can be reshaped in a linear state-space representation by defining some scheduling parameters that depend on the current value of the state. LPV design techniques provide a systematic design procedure that allows incorporating different performance and robustness specifications into a unified framework. The design is usually performed by solving linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) feasibility problems, which are rooted in the search for a Lyapunov function. In recent years, issues related to cyber attacks, i.e., actions performed by a malicious actor that exploit the system’s vulnerabilities and result in damage, have been investigated from a control theoretical perspective.

The successful candidate will focus on how the resilience and security of LPV control systems against cyber attacks can be improved, with the following general objectives:

• Explore the state-of-the-art of LPV control theory and resilient/secure control techniques
• Develop controller design techniques which can tolerate cyber attacks with a minimal loss of performance
• Develop model-based attack diagnosis strategies that provide online information about the presence, location, and type of cyber attack
• Disseminate the results of the research in international and peer-reviewed journals and conferences
• Write a successful dissertation based on the developed research and defend it

Qualification requirements

We are looking for applicants with a strong academic background who have completed a five-year master degree (3+2) within system identification and/or control theory, mathematics, and signal processing, preferably acquired recently; or possess corresponding qualifications that could provide a basis for successfully completing a doctorate. 

Candidates with a master’s in Systems and Control/Automation Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Information Technologies, or a relevant branch of Engineering (e.g. Electronic/Electrical/Mechanical/Aerospace) will be preferred.

To be eligible for admission to the doctoral programmes at the University of Stavanger both the grade for your master’s thesis and the weighted average grade of your master’s degree must individually be equivalent to or better than a B grade. If you finish your education (masters degree) in the spring 2023 you are also welcome to apply.

Applicants with an education from an institution with a different grade scale than A-F, and/or with other types of credits than sp/ECTS, must attach a confirmed conversion scale that shows how the grades can be compared with the Norwegian A-F scale and a Diploma Supplement or similar that explains the scope of the subject that are included in the education. You can use these conversion scales  to calculate your points for admission.

Emphasis is also placed on your:

• familiarity with programming and numeric computing platforms (e.g., MATLAB & Simulink)
• familiarity with symbolic computation environments (e.g., Maple and/or Mathematica)
• familiarity with state-space analysis and control concepts
• familiarity with linear algebra and matrix operations
• motivation and potential for research within the field
• professional and personal skills for completing the doctoral degree within the timeframe
• ability to work independently and in a team, be innovative and creative
• ability to work structured and handle a heavy workload
• good command of both oral and written English

Requirements for competence in English

A good proficiency in English is required for anyone attending the PhD program. International applicants must document this by taking one of the following tests with the following results:

• TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test (IBT). Minimum result: 90
• IELTS – International English Language Testing Service. Minimum result: 6.5
• Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) and/or Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) from the University of Cambridge
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English Academic. Minimum result: 62

The following applicants are exempt from the above requirements:

• Applicants with one year of completed university studies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA
• Applicants with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma
• Applicants with a completed bachelor’s and / or master’s degrees taught in English in a EU/EEA country

We offer

• a PhD education in a large, exciting and socially important organisation
• an ambitious work community which is developing rapidly. We strive to include employees at all levels in strategic decisions and promote an informal atmosphere with a flat organisational structure.
• colleague-based guidance programme (NyTi ) if teaching is a part of your position
• salary in accordance with the State Salary Scale, l.pl 17.515, code 1017, NOK 501 200 gross per year with salary development according to seniority in the position. A higher salary may be considered in spesial cases. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.
• automatic membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund , which provides favourable insurance- and retirement benefits
• favourable membership terms at a gym and at the SIS sports club at campus
• employment with an Inclusive Workplace organisation which is committed to reducing sick leave, increasing the proportion of employees with reduced working capacity, and increasing the number of professionally active seniors
• “Hjem-jobb-hjem” discounted public transport to and from work
• as an employee in Norway, you will have access to an optimal health service, as well as good pensions, generous maternity/paternity leave, and a competitive salary. Nursery places are guaranteed and reasonably priced
• relocation programme
• language courses : On this page you can see which language courses you may be entitled to (look up “language courses” under employment conditions)

Diversity

University of Stavanger values independence, involvement and innovation. Diversity is respected and considered a resource in our work and learning environment. Universal design characterises physical and digital learning environments, and we strive to provide reasonable adjustments for employees with disabilities.

You are encouraged to apply regardless of gender, disability or cultural background.

The university aims to recruit more women within the subject area. If several applicants are considered to have equal qualifications, female applicants will be given priority.

Contact information

More information on the position (and project description) can be obtained from Associate Professor Damiano Rotondo, e-mail: damiano.rotondo@uis.no  or Associate Professor Kristian Thorsen, tel: +47 51 83 20 56, e-mail: kristian.thorsen@uis.no .

Information about the appointment procedure can be obtained from HR advisor Rosa Andrade, tel: +47 51 83 11 91, e-mail: rekruttering@uis.no .

UiS
Application

To apply for this position please follow the link “Apply for this job”. Your application letter, relevant education and work experience as well as language skills must be registered here. 

The following documents must be uploaded as attachments to your application:

• cover letter explaining your interest in the project and the relevance of your background and experience to the position. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
• CV with a full summary of your education and experience
• references, certificates/diplomas and other documentation that you consider relevant
• Diploma Supplement or similar and a confirmed conversion scale if this is required
• documentation on competence in English if this is required
• publications or other relevant research work

Applications are evaluated based on the information available in Jobbnorge at the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above and that you have attached the necessary documentation. 

The documentation must be available in either a Scandinavian language or in English. If the total size of the attachments exceeds 30 MB, they must be compressed before upload.

Please note that information on applicants may be published even if the applicant has requested not to be included in the official list of applicants – see Section 25 of the Freedom of Information Act . If your request is not granted, you will be notified.

UiS only considers applications and attachments registered in Jobbnorge.

General information

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. If your application is considered to be in conflict with the criteria in the latter legislation, it will be rejected without further assessment.

Employment as PhD Fellow is regulated in “Regulations concerning terms and conditions of employment for the posts of post-doctoral research fellow and research fellow, research assistant and resident “.

Your qualifications for the position, based on documentation registered in Jobbnorge, will be assessed by an internal expert committee. Based on the committee’s statement, relevant applicants will be invited to an interview before any recommendations are made. References will also be obtained for relevant candidates. More about the hiring process on our website.

The appointee will be based at the University of Stavanger, with the exception of a stay abroad at a relevant centre of research.

It is a prerequisite that you have a residence which enables you to be present at/available to the academic community during ordinary working hours.

The position has been announced in both Norwegian and English. In the case of differences of meaning between the texts, the English text takes precedence.

UiS – challenge the well-known and explore the unknown

The University of Stavanger (UiS) has about 12,000 students and 1,900 employees. The university has high ambitions. We strive to have an innovative and international profile, and be a driving force in knowledge development and in the process of societal change. Our common direction is driven by consideration for sustainable change and equitable social development, through new ways of managing natural resources and facilitating better cities and local communities. Energy, health and welfare, learning for life are our focus areas.
In constant collaboration and dialogue with our surroundings, regionally, nationally and internationally, we enjoy an open and creative climate for education, research, innovation, dissemination and museum activities. Academic life at the University of Stavanger is organised into six faculties comprising various departments/schools and National Research Centres, as well as the Museum of Archaeology. We are a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities. The university is located in the most attractive region in the country with more than 300,000 inhabitants. The Stavanger region has a dynamic labour market and exciting cultural and leisure activities.
Together with our staff and students we will challenge the well-known and explore the unknown.

The Faculty of Science and Technology offers study programs at bachelor, master and doctoral level. The faculty has established close cooperation on research with NORCE (Norwegian Research Centre AS) and the regional industry. A number of master’s and doctoral theses are made in collaboration with the industry. The faculty has about 2,800 students and approximately 400 employees at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Structural Engineering and Materials Science, Department of Mathematics and Physics, Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering, Department of Energy Resources and the Department of Safety, Economics and Planning.

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science carries out research within computer science, data Science, cybernetics and signal processing, and offers bachelor programs in electrica engineering and computer science, master programs in computer science, data science and cybernetics/signal processing, and a PhD program in information technology. There are currently 70 employees, including research fellows and postdocs, and 800 students at the department. 

Apply for this job
Deadline

20th November 2022

Employer

University of Stavanger

Municipality

Stavanger

Scope

Fulltime (1 jobs)
Fulltime

(%)

Duration

Fixed Term

Place of service

Ullandhaug

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