荷兰埃因霍温理工大学2023年招聘博士后（模型预测流行病控制）

荷兰埃因霍温理工大学2023年招聘博士后（模型预测流行病控制）

埃因霍芬理工大学（Eindhoven University of Technology；荷兰语为Technische Universiteit Eindhoven；缩写为TU/e），位于荷兰王国埃因霍芬。TU/e作为欧洲卓越理工大学联盟战略成员，高度重视产学合作，其高质量的教学与科研在国际上享有很高的知名度，是欧洲著名理工大学之一 。代尔夫特理工大学、埃因霍芬理工大学、特文特大学和瓦赫宁根大学共同组成4TU联盟，展开广泛的交流与合作活动。

2 Postdocs Model Predictive Pandemic Control (MPPC)

Eindhoven University of Technology

2 Postdocs Model Predictive Pandemic Control (MPPC)

Position

(Post-doctoral) Researcher

Irène Curie Fellowship

No

Department(s)

Mechanical Engineering

FTE

1,0

Date off

10/08/2023

Reference number

V35.6738

Job description

We are seeking two highly motivated Postdoctoral Researchers who are interested in pursuing research at the interface of control systems and epidemiology.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, governments have been struggling to decide which policies to implement to limit the outbreak whilst minimizing collateral damage. Arguably, every policy entails a rigorous cost-benefit analysis: To be effective whilst not overburdening society, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) need to be carefully selected and timely implemented.

The objective of this project is to devise epidemiological optimization models and control algorithms to support policymakers in the roll-out of NPIs. The foreseen Model Predictive Pandemic Control (MPPC) framework will allow to compute optimized NPI strategies accounting for uncertainty as the pandemic evolves. Moreover, it will allow policymakers to attune their strategies by rapidly benchmarking their quality in terms of suboptimality (e.g., w.r.t. infections, fatalities, ICU pressure, etc.) in a clear quantitative manner, and to assess risks by corroborating them with future recourse strategies. To this end, we are looking for two talented and interdisciplinary postdoctoral scholars with complementary backgrounds.

Post-doc 1 : The first position is aimed at identifying a computationally- tractable epidemiological optimization model accounting for the impact of explicit NPIs on the pandemic evolution, potentially also including their impact on society (e.g., psychological strain and economic damage), and fit and adapt its parameters to the latest data, including uncertainty. This model will then be used for numerical optimization purposes. For this position, knowledge and experience with epidemiological models will be preferred.

Post-doc 2: The second position is aimed at computing the optimal policies for a family of costs and different possible scenarios stemming from model uncertainty. Thereby, we aim at determining not only the optimal policies for a given time horizon, but also the optimal recourse strategies for given initial NPIs and possible future pandemic evolutions (from worst case to best case). In decision-making, recourse involves anticipating potential outcomes that could deviate from the planned or expected results and with a backup plan in place to address them. Knowledge and demonstrated experience with optimal control and optimization tools (such as CasADi, IPOPT and Yalmip) will be preferred for this position.

These positions are part of a joint interdisciplinary project between the Control Systems Technology section in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Máxima Medisch Centrum, and the Infectious Disease Modeling Unit of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), where the candidates will be able to work one day a week. During the project, the candidates will have opportunities to mentor students at many levels and take part in international scientific events. We expect the final results to be ready for application, and thus foresee a high potential for collaboration with public stakeholders.

Job requirements

Talented, enthusiastic candidates with excellent analytical and communication skills are encouraged to apply. A PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Cybernetics, or a related discipline is required, as well as a strong background in control engineering, programming, and system modelling and identification. Experience and interest in epidemiology, model predictive control, and/or numerical optimization are of advantage.

Conditions of employment

We offer a challenging position for one year in a highly motivated team at a dynamic and ambitious university. You will be part of a highly profiled interdisciplinary collaboration where the expertise of a variety of scientific fields comes together. TU/e is in one of the smartest regions of the world and part of the European technology hotspot ‘Brainport Eindhoven'; well-known high-tech industries and start-ups. A place to be for talented scientists! Besides the monthly salary, the TU/e offers holiday and end-of-year allowances, an excellent package of attractive benefits for employees and a modern sports complex. 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.

Information and application

More information on the project can be obtained from Dr. M. Salazar, e-mail: m.r.u.salazarattue.nl , and Dr. D. Krishnamoorthy, e-mail: d.krishnamoorthyattue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services, HRServices.geminiattue.nl.

You can respond to this vacancy including:

A cover letter (stating personal goal and research interests connecting to one or more of the topics defined above, and an expressed preference for one of the two positions);

A complete Curriculum Vitae including a list of publications.

We do not respond to applications that are sent to us in a different way. Both national and international applications for these positions are appreciated. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Promising candidates will be contacted by email.

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.