Doctoral scholarship holder in robust artificial intelligence for industrial process optimisation University of Antwerp in Belgium

The University of Antwerp is offering a full-time doctoral scholarship holder position in robust artificial intelligence for industrial process optimisation. The PhD will be based in the IDLab research group, embedded in imec and the University of Antwerp in Belgium, and situated within the Department of Electronics and ICT Engineering Technology, Faculty of Applied Engineering.

The project focuses on reinforcement learning (RL) for industrial process control and optimisation. The successful candidate will develop RL methods for complex industrial systems where multiple objectives must be balanced, such as production efficiency, energy consumption, cost, product quality, safety, and sustainability. A key research challenge is to combine the adaptability of data-driven learning with the robustness and performance guarantees typical of advanced control methods. The work will investigate algorithms that remain effective under uncertainty, changing operating conditions, and practical industrial constraints.

Research activities will include validation on realistic industrial benchmarks and process engineering use cases, as well as work on analysing and interpreting learned agent behaviour to support trust and industrial adoption. The position aims to advance intelligent data-driven industrial control and show how RL can improve process performance, reduce energy use, and support safer and more sustainable operations. The doctoral researcher will also publish scientific articles and contribute limited teaching and research support tasks within the IDLab research group.

Eligibility highlights: applicants should hold a master’s degree in Electronics and ICT Engineering Technology, Informatics, Computer Science or an equivalent field by the start date, with excellent academic results (at least cum laude/with distinction). Strong English skills are required, and teamwork, integrity, creativity, and cooperative research practice are emphasized. Prior high-impact conference or journal publications are a plus.

Funding and duration: the scholarship is offered for one year initially and can be renewed for another year after positive evaluation, up to a maximum of four years in total. The monthly scholarship amount follows the standard rates for doctoral scholarship holders, and additional benefits include eco vouchers, internet-connectivity allowance, teleworking allowance, and either a bicycle allowance or full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.

Application timeline: applications must be submitted online by 2026-09-10 (midnight Brussels time). Selected candidates should note the interview date on 2026-10-09, and invitations are expected by 2026-09-25.

How to apply: complete the University of Antwerp online application form and upload a motivation letter, academic CV, transcript of MSc grades, and an English proficiency certificate. Questions about the application platform can be sent to [email protected]; questions about the position can be directed to Siegfried Mercelis at [email protected].