Fully Funded PhD Studentship: Optimizing Sensor and Actuator Configurations

The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Embedded Intelligence at Loughborough University is offering a fully-funded PhD studentship to UK/EU applicants with Industrial Sponsor.

The Studentship is open to all eligible UK/EU and international/overseas students. It will run for 4 years and it includes:
• A fee waiver equivalent to the home/EU rate*
• An enhanced EPSRC tax-free stipend of up to £18,000 p.a. for four years.
• A personal training budget of £10,000 to support specific training needs.

* Please note that international/overseas students will be required to find funding to cover the difference between home/EU fees. All non-UK applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements, details available on the website.

The selection of sensors and actuators for an internal combustion engine and after treatment is a complex decision process. It depends on large number of functional and non-functional performance measures, and this makes it challenging to determine an optimal control system design solution.

The aim of this project is to produce a structure process for optimizing sensor and actuator configurations based on available experimental data and simulation models. Different approaches are possible, including data centric approaches, structural analysis, and computer based optimization algorithms. The goal is not just to find the best configuration, but also to identify the reason that it is superior, and how the optimum can differ between the performance measures in the form of pareto-optimal solutions.

An industrial sponsor is involved in this project and will contribute technical expertise, application examples, and data relevant for the project.

Applicants should
• Have a first class honours or good upper second class degree in electrical engineering, control engineering, automotive engineering, software engineering, physics or a related discipline
• Have an understanding and experience of sensors, instrumentation and basic control engineering, with the desire to learn more
• Have some programming experience, preferentially working with experimental or simulation data
• Demonstrate good analytical skills and be able to communicate controversial technical issues.
• Experience of quantitative data analysis and statistics is desirable.
• Meet the minimum English Language requirements, details available on the website
• Satisfy the UK residency requirement

How to Apply

Applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. A list of the required documentation can be found here. Please select "CDT Embedded Intelligence MME" under Programme Selection and quote reference CDTEI16AA1 under Research Interests.

We offer a unique 4 year full-time programme which enables students to develop their research skills whilst working with industrial partners. Research training is also complemented by non-technical subjects e.g. leadership, enterprise and social responsibility. Our researchers will be at the forefront of the latest developments in Embedded Intelligence and be supported by over 45 academic members of staff and industry specialists in this field.

Informal enquires about the research project should be made to Dr Thomas Steffen [Email Address Removed]. Enquiries about the application process and CDT programme can be made to [Email Address Removed] or visit the website www.cdt-ei.org.
Intended start date: Ideally the suitable candidate will start in January 2016, but a September 2016 start may be possible.
The studentship will remain open until the suitable candidate is found. Early application is strongly advised.

Deadline 4th January 2016