PhD Development of a machine learning-based powertrain digital twin

Category : PhD

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for f reedom, equality and solidarity , and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike.

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities : innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves . With some 4,000 employees , we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels ; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located.

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short : the VUB all over again .

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA , an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

2 - Position description

The  Faculty of Engineering , Department Elektrotechniek en energietechniek , is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant .

More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate , contains :

You will work in the EPOWERS group of the MOBI Research Centre (Electromobility Research Centre). Our Mission as EPOWERS Research Group is to offer and deliver cutting-edge research, provide top-notch designs and developments on power electronics, powertrains and smart green energy solutions with intelligent control systems for tomorrow's mobility, transport and smart green grid applications, with our ever-growing team of top-level researchers and experts. Our academic record at world's most renowned academic journals in relevant fields, a good word from our established national and international collaboration network of companies and research institutes, the content of the ever-growing number of projects we are involved with can be reference to our level of expertise. We follow the local and global tendencies on a daily basis, bilaterally interact and collaborate with all sorts of research, technology, business, public and political entities to contribute in shaping tomorrow's transport, mobility and green energy systems. EPOWERS is also part of MOBI Core Lab within Flanders Make - Driving Innovation.

You will conduct research and works towards a PhD.

• You specialize in the following topic : Development of a machine learning-based powertrain digital twin and smart preconditioning for fast-charging applications ;
• Simulation of the map-based and data-driven powertrain electro-thermal model;
• Assessment framework for smart energy management, lifetime estimation model and cost assessment tool;
• Reliability-oriented design optimization of the powertrain components;
• AI-supported smart fast-charging algorithms to process the thermal preconditioning of the battery prior to the event of a fast charge
• You work on projects independently;
• You will present your work at international conferences and publish your work in Q1 or Q2 journals.

For this function, our  Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene)  will serve as your home base.

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

You have a master’s degree in Engineering or Industrial Sciences.

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a full-time PhD-scholarship , for  12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date  01 / 01 / 2024 .

You’ll receive a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.

IMPORTANT : The effective result of the doctorate scholarship is subject to the condition precedent of your enrolment as a doctorate student at the university.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits :

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply,  at the latest on 31 / 10 / 2023 , , and upload the following documents :

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.