This PhD position focuses on the contract-based design of complex dynamical systems, aiming to simplify and automate the design process for high-tech systems such as semiconductor equipment and robots. Hosted within the Dynamics and Control section at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, the project is part of a collaborative effort involving four PhD students—two at Eindhoven and two at the University of Groningen. The research will develop novel tools based on contract-based system theory to translate system-level requirements into module-level specifications, addressing both time- and frequency-domain behaviors.

One vacancy centers on analyzing system-level dynamics-related requirements, while the other targets second-order structural dynamics systems with nonlinearities, commonly found in mechatronic and robotic applications. The project offers opportunities to collaborate with leading companies in chip manufacturing and robotics, providing a strong academic and industrial profile. PhD candidates will have access to graduate courses at the Dutch Institute of Systems and Control (DISC) and the Engineering Mechanics Research School (EM), and will be part of a vibrant research community of over 60 members.

The position is jointly supervised by Dr. Nathan van de Wouw and Dr. Bart Besselink, and encourages collaboration with industry in the Brainport region and academic researchers worldwide.

Applicants should have a solid background in dynamical systems, system theory, control, and structural dynamics, and be motivated to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.