PhD position robust multi-criteria optical design under uncertainty

Introduction
Are you fascinated by application-oriented research in mathematics and eager to work at the interface of numerical optimization, optical design, and uncertainty quantification? In this PhD project, you will focus on developing mathematical models and numerical algorithms that systematically integrate uncertainties into the design process of optical systems. The goal is to enable novel design strategies that are robust with respect to perturbations and capable of balancing multiple competing performance criteria.

Job Description
Uncertainties are inherent in many engineering design problems and can be translated into the underlying mathematical models. They may, for example, arise from perturbations in boundary conditions, input parameters, or geometrical properties. When neglecting the influence of uncertainties, the performance of a design solution may deteriorate significantly under these perturbations. The aim of robust design strategies is to account for these uncertainties in the design process, yielding solutions that are less sensitive to perturbations and therefore more reliable in practice. Mathematically, this leads to optimization problems with underlying random partial or ordinary differential equations that require careful modeling and analysis.

Imaging optics involves the design and optimization of imaging systems, such as cameras and telescopes, to most accurately capture and reproduce an image. Modern inverse freeform design methods compute surfaces that convert a given source light distribution to a desired target light distribution. These can be used to guide the design process for imaging systems. These methods naturally lead to challenging mathematical models, including nonlinear partial or ordinary differential equations. However, real-world optical systems are subject to manufacturing tolerances, alignment errors, and material variability. To achieve robust designs, existing inverse design methods must be extended to systematically account for these uncertainties.

The design process in imaging optics is inherently multi-objective, involving different competing performance criteria. This could be on a more systematic level the interplay of quality, cost and manufacturability but also image quality itself can be described by competing performance measures.

A further challenge is therefore to account for the effect of uncertainties on different performance criteria.

Standard formulations for single-criteria robust design do not capture these effects. This requires the development of new formulations and strategies building upon modern robust multi-criteria optimization methods based on Pareto losses.

The aim of this PhD project is to extend the existing freeform design strategies to include uncertainties using spectral methods for uncertainty quantification, such as polynomial chaos expansions, and enable the analysis of trade-off solutions under uncertainty. This allows for the integration of uncertainties in the freeform design of optical systems with a specific focus on telescopic systems. The mathematical disciplines involved are mathematical modeling, numerical analysis, and scientific computing.

Your tasks will involve:

• Conducting research on uncertainty quantification in the context of inverse freeform design,
• Developing and implementing design strategies tailored to robust multi-criteria design,
• Applying the developed methods for designing imaging systems,
• Analyzing and interpreting research data, publishing and presenting your research,
• Participating in academic activities, including seminars, workshops and teaching.

You will be part of our Computational Illumination Optics group at TU/e, an applied mathematics group dedicated to problems in the field of optics with a lot of interesting industry-related applications (e.g., Signify, ASML and TNO). We will work together and support your research. The group belongs to CASA (Centre for Applied Analysis, Scientific Computing and Applications), that offers a collaborative research atmosphere with a lot of possibilities for exchange and social activities.

Job Requirements
We are looking for talented enthusiastic PhD candidates who meet the following requirements:

• A master’s degree in (applied) mathematics
• Experience with mathematical modeling, optimization techniques and scientific computing
• Experience with programming (C, C++, Python, Matlab or alike)
• Creative pro-active team player with good analytical skills
• A research-oriented attitude
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level)

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 five years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 25% of your five-year employment on teaching tasks (PhD-TA).
• 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, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).
• 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.

About us
Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

With over 110 (assistant, associate and full) professors, almost 300 PhD and EngD students, about 1500 Bachelor students and 1000 Master students, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (M&CS) is the largest department of the TU/e. By performing top-level fundamental and applied research, and maintaining strong ties with industry, M&CS aims to contribute to science and innovation in and beyond the region.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Dr. Lisa Kusch, l.kusch@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR services, hrservices.mcs@tue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

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 button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• Grade lists of your bachelor and master programs.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

PhD position robust multi-criteria optical design under uncertainty

Uncertainties are inherent in many engineering design problems and can be translated into the underlying mathematical models. They may, for example, arise from perturbations in boundary conditions, input parameters, or geometrical properties. When neglecting the influence of uncertainties, the performance of a design solution may deteriorate significantly under these perturbations. The aim of robust design strategies is to account for these uncertainties in the design process, yielding solutions that are less sensitive to perturbations and therefore more reliable in practice. Mathematically, this leads to optimization problems with underlying random partial or ordinary differential equations that require careful modeling and analysis.

Imaging optics involves the design and optimization of imaging systems, such as cameras and telescopes, to most accurately capture and reproduce an image. Modern inverse freeform design methods compute surfaces that convert a given source light distribution to a desired target light distribution. These can be used to guide the design process for imaging systems. These methods naturally lead to challenging mathematical models, including nonlinear partial or ordinary differential equations. However, real-world optical systems are subject to manufacturing tolerances, alignment errors, and material variability. To achieve robust designs, existing inverse design methods must be extended to systematically account for these uncertainties.

The design process in imaging optics is inherently multi-objective, involving different competing performance criteria. This could be on a more systematic level the interplay of quality, cost and manufacturability but also image quality itself can be described by competing performance measures.

A further challenge is therefore to account for the effect of uncertainties on different performance criteria.

Standard formulations for single-criteria robust design do not capture these effects. This requires the development of new formulations and strategies building upon modern robust multi-criteria optimization methods based on Pareto losses.

The aim of this PhD project is to extend the existing freeform design strategies to include uncertainties using spectral methods for uncertainty quantification, such as polynomial chaos expansions, and enable the analysis of trade-off solutions under uncertainty. This allows for the integration of uncertainties in the freeform design of optical systems with a specific focus on telescopic systems. The mathematical disciplines involved are mathematical modeling, numerical analysis, and scientific computing.

Your tasks will involve:

• Conducting research on uncertainty quantification in the context of inverse freeform design,
• Developing and implementing design strategies tailored to robust multi-criteria design,
• Applying the developed methods for designing imaging systems,
• Analyzing and interpreting research data, publishing and presenting your research,
• Participating in academic activities, including seminars, workshops and teaching.

You will be part of our Computational Illumination Optics group at TU/e, an applied mathematics group dedicated to problems in the field of optics with a lot of interesting industry-related applications (e.g., Signify, ASML and TNO). We will work together and support your research. The group belongs to CASA (Centre for Applied Analysis, Scientific Computing and Applications), that offers a collaborative research atmosphere with a lot of possibilities for exchange and social activities.

Project Controller

Introductie
De TU/e Campus is een aantrekkelijke en levendige hotspot in Brainport Regio Eindhoven waar studenten, onderzoekers, ondernemers en high-tech bedrijven elkaar ontmoeten en samenwerken. De campus ligt midden in het centrum van de stad en is een open en toegankelijke community voor technologisch onderwijs, wetenschappelijk onderzoek en kennisvalorisatie. Stap in de wereld van morgen en neem deel aan de ontwikkeling van vernieuwde technologieën en toepassingen die oplossingen bieden voor grote maatschappelijke vraagstukken. De TU/e Campus is dé plek ‘Where innovation starts’.

Binnen Finance & Control (F&C) dragen we bij aan deze innovatie door het leveren van een hoge kwaliteit van financiële dienstverlening, met een focus op het begrijpen van en een partnership aangaan met de organisatie.

Functieomschrijving
Je verantwoordelijkheid als Project Controller is om als specialist te komen tot een goede financiële inrichting en risicobeheersing van het project gericht op optimale benutting van de projectgelden.

• Beheert zelfstandig een portefeuille subsidieprojecten en is verantwoordelijk voor een juiste vastlegging van de financiële stand van zaken binnen een subsidieproject (projectbeheersing) van complexe onderzoeksprojecten en is aanspreekpunt voor de projectleiders;
• Je pakt een proactief adviserende rol, en je adviseert de Onderzoeksleider/Projectleider over alle financiële kanten die een onderzoeksproject heeft. Denk hierbij aan budgetverschuivingen, optimale benutting, de financiële kant van personeelsplanning en forecasting van het project;
• Je beheerst het project binnen de kaders van de subsidieregeling/projectvoorwaarden (compliance);
• Communicatie - het vermogen om met veel verschillende stakeholders met wisselende belangen te adviseren;
• Je bent een activator als het gaat om verbetertrajecten;
• Je kunt risico's herkennen en je weet hoe je als onderdeel van een projectteam deze risico's beheersbaar kunt houden;
• Beheersing van subsidieregelingen is een pré;
• Je zet je specialisme en kennis breder in de organisatie in, door als adviseur ook mee te denken bij de inrichting van projecten die buiten jouw portefeuille vallen.

Je werkt hierbij samen met één van onze faculteiten, dus je zit heel dicht bij het werkveld.

Het team
De functie van Project Controller valt binnen de afdeling Project Control, wat weer een onderdeel is van onze grotere dienst Finance & Control. Binnen Project Control werk je met zo'n 55 collega's aan de volledige administratie en het financiële beheer van alle onderzoeksprojecten van de Universiteit (zo’n 2.600 projecten op jaarbasis, verdeeld over een breed pallet van geldstromen/subsidieregelingen).

Functie-eisen

• Je hebt minimaal een HBO-opleiding in een financiële of administratieve richting; Minimaal 3 jaar werkervaring in project of financiële administratie;
• Ervaring met projectadministratie en affiniteit met subsidies is een pré;
• Je hebt een constructief kritische, proactieve en samenwerkingsgerichte houding gericht op het leveren van kwaliteit;
• Je beschikt over uitstekende stakeholdermanagementvaardigheden en weet belangen te verbinden op verschillende niveaus;
• Je beschikt over overtuigingskracht, hebt sterk inlevingsvermogen en bent volhardend;
• Je werkt accuraat en nauwkeurig;
• Je hebt analytische vaardigheden;
• Je bent in staat om advies te geven aan het management;
• Een zeer goede/professionele beheersing van de Nederlandse en Engelse taal, zowel mondeling als schriftelijk;
• Affiniteit met organisaties in het hoger onderwijs en onderzoek is een pre maar geen must.

Arbeidsvoorwaarden
Een boeiende positie binnen een internationale en tegelijkertijd persoonlijke universiteit. Je zit midden tussen de studenten, op een groene campus op loopafstand van het centraal station. Daarnaast bieden we jou:

• Een maandsalaris van minimaal € 3.708,- tot maximaal € 5.538,- bij een fulltime dienstverband, afhankelijk van jouw kennis en ervaring (schaal 9/10 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten).
• Naast vakantiegeld, een structurele eindejaarsuitkering van 8,3%.
• Een gunstige regeling voor extra verlofdagen of een sabbatical.
• Een keuzemodel voor extra secundaire arbeidsvoorwaarden.
• Werktijden in overleg voor een optimale werk-privé balans.
• Ruimte voor jouw talent met doorgroeikansen en uitstekende ontwikkelmogelijkheden, zoals mentoring, workshops en coaching.
• Deels betaald ouderschapsverlof en een vergoeding voor reiskosten woon-werkverkeer, thuiswerken en internet.
• Een ruime werkgeversbijdrage aan de gunstige ABP-pensioenregeling.

Hier ontdek je nog meer informatie over onze arbeidsvoorwaarden. Bouw verder aan je carrière bij de TU/e!

Over ons
TU Eindhoven is een internationaal toonaangevende universiteit middenin in de Brainportregio waar wetenschappelijke nieuwsgierigheid en een hands-on mentaliteit samenkomen. We werken open en intensief samen met hightechindustrieën aan oplossingen voor complexe maatschappelijke uitdagingen. Onze verantwoordelijke en respectvolle benadering zorgt voor impact — vandaag én morgen. TU/e telt ruim 13.000 studenten en meer dan 7.000 medewerkers, en vormt een diverse en levendige academische gemeenschap.

Informatie
Voor vragen over het sollicitatieproces of de arbeidsvoorwaarden, neem contact op met onze interne Senior Recruiter Rob van der Linden via r.m.e.v.d.linden@tue.nl of via 06 39 58 22 73.

Nieuwsgierig geworden? Op www.tue.nl/jobs vind je meer over werken bij de TU/e.

Sollicitatie
Ben je geïnteresseerd? Via de solliciteerknop ontvangen we graag je CV en brief met motivatie en omschrijving van je kwalificaties. Zorg ervoor dat je alle gevraagde documenten toevoegt. Wij geven voorrang aan complete sollicitaties.

De screening van kandidaten begint zodra de sollicitaties zijn ontvangen en gaat door totdat de vacature is ingevuld. Indien van toepassing, krijgen interne kandidaten bij gelijke geschiktheid voorrang op externe kandidaten.

We kijken uit naar je sollicitatie!

Let op

• Je kunt online solliciteren. Sollicitaties die per e-mail en/of post worden verstuurd, worden niet in behandeling genomen.
• Een voorafgaande screening (bijvoorbeeld een Verklaring omtrent Gedrag of kennisveiligheidscheck) kan onderdeel zijn van de selectieprocedure. Voor meer informatie over de kennisveiligheidscheck, raadpleeg de Nationale Richtlijnen Kennisveiligheid.
• Wij verzoeken je geen contact met ons op te nemen voor ongevraagde diensten.

Project Controller

Je verantwoordelijkheid als Project Controller is om als specialist te komen tot een goede financiële inrichting en risicobeheersing van het project gericht op optimale benutting van de projectgelden.

• Beheert zelfstandig een portefeuille subsidieprojecten en is verantwoordelijk voor een juiste vastlegging van de financiële stand van zaken binnen een subsidieproject (projectbeheersing) van complexe onderzoeksprojecten en is aanspreekpunt voor de projectleiders;
• Je pakt een proactief adviserende rol, en je adviseert de Onderzoeksleider/Projectleider over alle financiële kanten die een onderzoeksproject heeft. Denk hierbij aan budgetverschuivingen, optimale benutting, de financiële kant van personeelsplanning en forecasting van het project;
• Je beheerst het project binnen de kaders van de subsidieregeling/projectvoorwaarden (compliance);
• Communicatie - het vermogen om met veel verschillende stakeholders met wisselende belangen te adviseren;
• Je bent een activator als het gaat om verbetertrajecten;
• Je kunt risico's herkennen en je weet hoe je als onderdeel van een projectteam deze risico's beheersbaar kunt houden;
• Beheersing van subsidieregelingen is een pré;
• Je zet je specialisme en kennis breder in de organisatie in, door als adviseur ook mee te denken bij de inrichting van projecten die buiten jouw portefeuille vallen.

Je werkt hierbij samen met één van onze faculteiten, dus je zit heel dicht bij het werkveld.

Het team
De functie van Project Controller valt binnen de afdeling Project Control, wat weer een onderdeel is van onze grotere dienst Finance & Control. Binnen Project Control werk je met zo'n 55 collega's aan de volledige administratie en het financiële beheer van alle onderzoeksprojecten van de Universiteit (zo’n 2.600 projecten op jaarbasis, verdeeld over een breed pallet van geldstromen/subsidieregelingen).

Postdoc or Programmer In Real-Life Transportation Optimization

Introduction
Are you passionate about working on the forefront of state-of-the-art in Transportation Science, and do you want to achieve real impact by translating this knowledge into practice?

At our group, we have three ongoing initiatives in which fundamental scientific knowledge is translated into practical decision support, in collaboration with one or multiple companies. We are looking for a new team member with strong programming skills and relevant knowledge about logistics optimization, who will take a key role in the following initiatives.

1. Within the Next-Level Logistics project, we are developing collaborative decision-support tools to optimize cross-docking operations for freight transport. We do this in collaboration with 10+ transportation companies. These decision-support tools comprise advanced algorithms that borrow concepts from metaheuristic search, integer programming, reinforcement learning, and stochastic optimization.

These tools are used to evaluate several design concepts for cross-docking collaboration, for example:

• Optimal location of cross-docking operations
• Organizing in and outbound vehicle routing with pickups and deliveries
• Evaluating service promises (24h or 48h delivery)

1. Within the Conversion Factory project, we create online platforms in which we showcase the power of transportation optimization to the outside world. Currently, we are planning to showcase two algorithms:
   
   1. Full-truckload transport planning with crossdock operations
   2. Two-echelon collection and distribution operations
2. Within the AI4ROAD project, we develop in direct collaboration with Van der Wal ( a transportation company) decision-support tooling for full-truckload transport planning.

Your tasks will mainly revolve around the next-level logistics project, but flexibility allows you to also take up roles in the other projects. We encourage people with a PhD to apply (the appointment will be at the level of a postdoctoral researcher) or without a PhD, having sufficient programming and logistics optimization experience in industry (and the appointment will be as a researcher/programmer).

Job Description
Your taks will include:

• Lead upscaling of research prototypes into stable, robust systems suitable for industry pilots and long-term use.
• Collaborate with industry partners (cross-docks, carriers, 3PLs) to design, deploy, and evaluate pilot studies.
• Translate academic algorithms into reliable software components with clear documentation.
• Collaborate on fundamental, state-of-the-art, transportation science concepts, and if interested, publish in top scientific journals.
• Co-organize stakeholder workshops and co-creation sessions to validate user needs and solution effectiveness.
• Publish results in high-quality journals and conferences and contribute to grant proposals.

Job Requirements
You are/have:

• Either a PhD in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Computer Science, Logistics, or a strongly related field OR a MSc in Operations Research, Computer Science, Econometrics, (Applied) Mathematics, Industrial Engineering or a strongly related field.
• In case of PhD, evidence that you are interested or already developed, decision-support tools for (and in collaboration with) practitioners. In case of a MSc, relevant experience in developing decision-support tools for logistics.
• Strong programming skills in C++/C (or any fundamental language), Python, SQL, and relevant experience in creating proof of concepts of logistics solutions.
• A getting things done mentality.
• Proficiency in Dutch is highly preferred, or a track-record showing that you can work with the Dutch SME independently and fluently.
• Excellent English communication skills.

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 1 year.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 4,241 max. € 5,538).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

About us
Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university within the Brainport region where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

The Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (IE&IS) department combines disciplinary knowledge from the humanities, social sciences and technical sciences to solve the complex problems of industries and society. We collaboratively focus on and create responsible and effective innovations for the research themes: Humans and Technology, Supply Chain Management, Sustainability and Circularity, and Value of Data-Driven Intelligence.

Information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Albert Schrotenboer, Associate Professor, a.h.schrotenboer@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services IE&IS, hrservices.ieis@tue.nl.

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 using the apply-button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• List of up to five self-selected ‘best publications’ (if relevant)
• Experience of logistics digitalization projects in industry (if relevant)

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.