Doctoral students in statistical learning in continuous system control - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Electrical Engineering

We are looking for doctoral students with a strong background in mathematics (statistics, probability theory and optimization) and an interest in machine learning and control. The successful candidates will work on a recently granted project on Statisical and Adversarial Learning in Continuous System Control. The project will be supported by WASP (Wallenberg Autonomous System Program). The research will be conducted in a collaborative manner in Prof. Anders Rantzer’s group at Lund university and Prof. Alexandre Proutiere’s group at KTH.

The project is concerned with sequential decision making in systems whose dynamics are initially unknown, i.e., with adaptive control or Reinforcement Learning (RL) when using the control engineering and machine learning terminologies, respectively. Most existing RL algorithms are designed to learn and control stochastic dynamical systems with finite state and action spaces. The statistical learning theory for such systems is well developed and understood, as we have, since the 90’s, fundamental performance limits satisfied by any algorithm, as well as joint learning and control strategies achieving these limits, at least asymptotically when the time-horizon grows large. This theory becomes irrelevant for systems with large state or action spaces: without imposing and leveraging any specific structure on the system dynamics, learning seems impossible in a reasonable time. Continuous systems have infinite state and action spaces, but follow physics-based models,and hence exhibit a-priori known structural properties that can be exploited to speed up the learning process. The project aims at developing a statistical learning theory of adaptive control in continuous systems.

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic international research environment in close cooperation with industries and advanced universities the world over.
• Life-long network through KTH's Alumni organization.
• A personal study plan to support your development within your areas of interest.
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement.
• Work and study in Stockholm, one of Europe´s fastest growing capitals, which is close to both nature and the sea.
• Help to relocate and get settled in Sweden and at KTH.

Eligibility

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a degree at advanced level,
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
• in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.

Selection

In order to succeed as an doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. In the selection of the applicants, the following will be assessed:

• ability to independently pursue his or hers work,
• ability to collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyse and work with complex issues.

The successful applicant is expected to hold, or to be about to receive, an MSc degree in enengineering physics, electrical engineering, computer science, or mathematics. A specialization in statistics/probability, algorithm design, control, or machine learning is an asset.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those who are or have been admitted to third-cycle studies may be employed as a doctoral student. The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year and may thereafter be extended. Doctoral students may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/entral European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copy of the degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records from your previously attended university-level institutions. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in one of these languages.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.