PhD Positions

Full-time, fully paid PhD/PostDoc positions in “Machine Learning for Estimation and Control under Uncertainty” at the Intelligent Sensor-Actuator-Systems Laboratory (ISAS), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT):

KIT combines its three core tasks: research, higher education, and innovation within one mission. With about 9,400 employees and 25,000 students, KIT is one of the biggest institutions of research and higher education in natural sciences and engineering in Europe. KIT is located in Germany in the medium-sized city of Karlsruhe with a very high quality of life.

Chair for Intelligent Sensor-Actuator-Systems (ISAS):

ISAS (https://isas.iar.kit.edu) works on modern machine learning methods for estimation and control with applications to

  • Optimization of industrial processes, e.g., optical sorting machines,
  • Aircraft localization for air traffic control,
  • Development of assistive functions in telepresence systems,
  • Sensor data processing in distibuted networks, e.g., industrial process automation and monitoring,
  • Measuring, processing, and visualizing spatially distributed data in large environments.

Description of Positions:

We are seeking candidates for PhD positions in the following areas:

Gaussian Processes for State Estimation
Deadline: May 31, 2024
Reference: ISAS_IM

In this PhD project, you will join an interdisciplinary team working on machine learning under uncertainties. You will seek innovative solutions for state estimation and filtering in nonlinear stochastic systems. Especially for Gaussian assumed filtering, Gaussian Processes will be used to represent the estimator. Depending on your preferences, a suitable balance between theoretical development and practical applications will be found.
Information Measures for Density Approximation
Deadline: May 31, 2024
Reference: ISAS_GP

In this PhD project, you will join an interdisciplinary team working on machine learning under uncertainties. Your goal is to find novel solutions for approximating probability density functions (pdf) based on information measures such as entropy and Fisher information. A special focus is on deterministic sampling, i.e., approximating a continuous pdf by a discrete one. Depending on your preferences, a suitable balance between theoretical development and practical applications will be found.
Mixed Reality and Haptic Interfaces
Deadline: May 31, 2024
Reference: ISAS_ROBDEKON

The competence center "Robotic systems for decontamination in hazardous environments" is dedicated to the research of autonomous and semi-autonomous robotic systems, which are to be practically used in areas where work previously involved a considerable risk for humans, see https://robdekon.de/en.

 

You will be part of a large, interdisciplinary network of experts in science and technology from well-known institutions in diverse fields, see https://robdekon.de/en/research/labs.

 

Your research work will be in the area of high-end human-machine-interfaces focusing on Mixed Reality visuo-haptic interaction and the opportunity to work with a state-of-the-art large area haptic interface. This includes learning methods for human intention recognition and motion compression for immersive high-quality telepresence.

 

The final goal of your scientific activities in the competence center is your doctorate.
Particle Measurement Technology
Deadline: May 31, 2024
Reference: ISAS_IGF-EOT

The Industrielle Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) project "Reliable Integration of 3-D Information into Dynamic Image Analysis for Particle Measurement Technology" (German: Einbindung belastbarer 3D-Information in die dynamische Bildanalyse als Methode der Partikelmesstechnik) has recently been approved and is supported by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen (AiF) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

 

In this project, you will join an interdisciplinary team, collaborating with a researcher from the Mechanical Process Engineering department at TU Berlin. Together, you will explore a new paradigm for deriving information about particle streams based on the optical data of particles in free fall. This innovative approach aims to reduce costs in particle measurement technology and enable the gathering of more comprehensive information and statistics on particle properties, such as shape, size, and sphericity, which are of high relevance in industrial processes. Specifically, the goal is to (1) develop a framework that integrates various state-of-the-art extended object trackers to reliably describe objects' shapes, including associated uncertainties and (2) to design and evaluate a new 3-D extended object tracker specifically for non-smooth surfaces, such as particles with sharp edges.

 

The final goal of your scientific activities within the DFG Research Unit at KIT is your doctorate.

All positions offer the possibility to cooperate with our extensive network of partners from industry and academia on a national and international basis.

We offer intensive mentoring and a quick path to the PhD degree (≤ 3 years). Besides research, the supervision of bachelor/master theses and participation in teaching is expected.

Personal Qualifications:

  • Master's degree (or equivalent) or PhD in computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, mathematics, or a related subject.
  • Very good mathematical knowledge.
  • Moderate proficiency in programming.
  • Know-how in stochastics and signal processing (are advantageous, but not a prerequisite).
  • High self-motivation, team working skills, and readiness for interdisciplinary work.
  • Proficiency in the English language (spoken and written).
  • Commitment to publish research results.
  • Willingness to travel internationally (conferences, research stays, ...).

Payment:

The positions are full-time, fully paid researcher positions according to "Vergütungsgruppe des Tarifvertrages des öffentlichen Dienstes" TV-L E 13. This may increase depending on experience.

Contact:

Submit applications including cover letter, CV, academic transcripts, and application code in electronic form to:

Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Uwe D. Hanebeck
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
Department of Informatics
Institute for Anthropomatics and Robotics (IAR)
Chair for Intelligent Sensor-Actuator-Systems (ISAS)
Adenauerring 2
D-76131 Karlsruhe
Germany
E-Mail: Uwe.Hanebeck∂kit.edu

KIT is pursuing a gender equality policy and encourages women to apply. 
Furthermore, in case of equal qualification, preference is given to applicants with disabilities.