PHD Position in Data-Driven Modelling of Cellular System Dynamics (1.0 fte)

PHD Position in Data-Driven Modelling of Cellular System Dynamics (1.0

fte)

Position

PhD-student

Irène Curie Fellowship

No

Department(s)

Electrical Engineering

FTE

1,0

Date off

19/02/2023

Reference number

V36.6259

Job description

Project description

The integrity of biological tissues is actively maintained by cells. Applicable knowledge about how cells do this is of crucial importance to understand tissue diseases and to develop preventive treatment. The CELLSYSTEMICS project, which this PhD position is part of, aims to tackle these challenges in the clinical context of ascending aortic aneurysm. The core challenge is to tackle the complexity of the system of interrelated mechanisms within cells. This requires a structured identification framework, which will be developed in this PhD position.

This PhD project aims to uniquely and comprehensively characterize the cell mechanobiology at the intra-, inter-cell, as well as cell-matrix levels by using existing state-of-the-art tools and by further developing the theory and the algorithms based on novel system identification and data-driven modelling approaches. The envisioned system identification framework is aimed to be developed for the investigation and exploitation of cellular system dynamics from a control systems perspective. A bottom-up approach will be followed, focusing on capturing (intra)cell-level dynamics before cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix dynamic models are developed.

Tasks

Study the literature of modeling, machine learning, and (nonlinear / networked) system identification.

Development of interpretable, data-driven (nonlinear / networked) system identification theory and algorithms for characterization of cell dynamics.

Stochastic analysis of consistency and convergence of the results and empirical validation of the techniques on obtained data sequences.

Exploration of the steps of the identification cycle for the developed methods from experiment design to verification (validation).

Dissemination of the results of your research in international and peer- reviewed journals and conferences.

Writing a successful dissertation based on the developed research and defending it.

Assume educational tasks like the supervision of Master students and internships.

Successful integration in the CELLSYSTEMICS project partner network (academical partners: Eindhoven University of Technology and Maastricht University , The Netherlands).

Job requirements

We are looking for a candidate who meets the following requirements:

You are a talented and enthusiastic young researcher.

You have experience with or a background in systems and control, mathematics, statistics, and signal processing. Ideally, you have experience with system identification and/or data-driven modelling.

Preferably you finished a master's in Systems and Control, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, (Applied) Physics or (Applied) Mathematics.

You work well in a team with mixed expertise, with an interest towards biomedical applications.

You have good programming skills and experience (Matlab and Python are an asset).

You have good communicative skills, and the attitude to partake successfully in the work of a research team.

You are creative and ambitious, hard-working, and persistent.

You have good command of the English language (knowledge of Dutch is not required).

Conditions of employment

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

Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.

Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.

High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self- aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.

An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.

An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.

A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information and application

About us

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

CS Group

The CS group research activities span all facets of systems and control theory, such as linear, nonlinear and hybrid systems theory, model predictive control, machine learning for modelling and control, modelling and identification and formal methods in control. The CS group has a strong interconnection with other academic institutions and industry via national and European funded projects in a diverse range of application areas, often focusing on interdisciplinary research.

The PhD will join the group and interact with the other members of the CS group (around 40 researchers). Furthermore, the project is part of a larger research consortium where he/she will interact with a mix of academic and industrial research partners. Research within the CS Group is characterized by personal supervision. The PhD will have access to the advanced courses offered by the Dutch Institute for Systems and Control, and will be able to attend national and international scientific conferences.

For more detailed information on the activities of the group please check https:// tue.nl/cs/

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact dr. ir. Maarten Schoukens m.schoukensattue.nl

Have a look in our lab: https: // www. youtube.com/watch?v=JaEXPI8gJbU

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Name Surname, Job title, …attue.nl or +31 40 247 ….

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

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the 'apply now'-button on this page. The application should include:

a cover letter explaining your motivation and suitability for the position;

a list of courses and grades from your Master's programme;

a detailed curriculum vitae;

a scientific report in English, written by yourself (e.g. MSc thesis, traineeship report or scientific paper);

two references (name, affiliation, and contact information).

We look forward to your application and will screen it as soon as we have received it. Screening will continue until the position has been filled.

Please keep in mind you can upload only 5 documents up to 2 MB each. If necessary, please combine files.

We do not respond to applications that are sent to us in a different way.