Motion Control for Future Trucks

An exciting PhD vacancy is now open at the University of Lincoln School of Engineering (UK) in collaboration with Volvo Trucks (Sweden) to conduct research in new control methods for motion planning and motion control for the next generation of heavy trucks. This is to support the latest trends in vehicle automation as applied to electric and hybrid trucks. Modern trucks are highly complex machines which require sophisticated control systems to maintain the highest possible levels of performance, safety and energy-efficiency. And the additional degrees of freedom of longer combination trucks makes the motion planning and control all the more interesting and challenging.

We are looking for a candidate with a background in dynamics and control and a particular interest in the control of complex multibody systems. Any specific background in vehicle dynamics, vehicle modelling and simulation, as well as optimization or optimal control methods will be an advantage.

This collaborative project will run for up to 4 years, taking account of the importance of industrial application in the project. The candidate will be based at the University of Lincoln, at the City Centre campus in Lincoln (UK). In addition, a proportion of the time will be on-site with Volvo Trucks in Sweden. This will involve working alongside professional engineers at their facilities in Gothenburg, as well as at various test-track locations. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to further a career in advanced vehicle control engineering.

The Lincoln University’s School of Engineering works closely with many international companies in areas such as intelligent control, power and energy and advanced manufacturing. Following the initial construction of Lincoln’s Engineering Hub in 2010, the School has received national awards for its innovative industrial collaboration. 2016 saw a major expansion of the School’s research capacity through the construction of the Isaac Newton Building (INB), £30M being invested in this development. Between Lincoln and Gothenburg, the successful candidate will work with a highly skilled and motivated team of academics and engineers.

Activities
To perform specified research under the guidance of Prof Tim Gordon (University of Lincoln) and Dr. Leon Henderson (Volvo Trucks); to generate original knowledge, and to prepare research output. The candidate will contribute to the production of research outputs, including reports, papers and presentations, both internally and at international research conferences.

The candidate will be expected to plan their own day-to-day research activity within the context of the agreed research programme, and exhibit a good degree of autonomy. All postgraduate, research and academic members of the School of Engineering are also expected to partake in core university support activities.

An initial expression of interest should be emailed to Professor Tim Gordon at the address below. Please include a one or two page CV, plus a one-page covering letter giving insight into the challenges and interest of the research topic, including its industrial context.
[Email Address Removed]