PHD Position

PhD position in systems and control theory for energy-based learning, focused on developing new mathematical foundations for energy-efficient computing. The project sits at the intersection of systems and control theory, optimization, circuit theory, and neuromorphic computing, aiming to advance theory for learning in analog circuits and dissipative networks. Learning is viewed as a feedback interconnection between continuous-time circuit dynamics and optimization algorithms, with the goal of deriving energy-inspired, local learning rules.

• Master’s degree in Systems and Control, (Applied) Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong mathematical background and an interest in conducting theoretical research.
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and spoken.
• Strong analytical abilities, creativity, persistence, and the ability to collaborate effectively.
• Familiarity with circuit theory, networked systems, machine learning, or neuromorphic computing is an advantage but not required.

• Develop a system-theoretic framework that models learning as the feedback interconnection between continuous-time circuit dynamics and optimization algorithms.
• Design novel energy-based learning algorithms for training analog circuits directly from input-output data.
• Develop fully decentralised learning rules that rely on local circuit information and suit large-scale systems.
• Establish rigorous theoretical guarantees for convergence and scalability of the proposed learning algorithms.
• Extend the theory from analog circuits to more general dissipative networks.
• Test and validate the developed methods.
• Publish research findings in leading international journals and conferences and present at scientific meetings.
• Contribute to teaching activities and supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s students where appropriate.

• Salary in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities: €3,204 gross per month in the first year up to €4,051 gross per month in the fourth year for a full-time position.
• 232 vacation hours per year based on a 38-hour workweek; options to work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours.
• End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and a holiday allowance of 8%.
• Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development and a PhD training programme; enrollment in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.
• Teaching expectation: employed PhD candidates are expected to spend 10% of their working hours on teaching for a full-time position.
• Initial temporary position of one year with the option to renew for another three years; prolongation depends on sufficient progress indicating likely completion of the PhD within the remaining three years.

The PhD position is at the University of Groningen within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, which covers disciplines from physics and biology to artificial intelligence and engineering. The successful candidate will join the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence and the Systems, Control and Optimization Group, which is part of the Jan C. Willems Center for Systems and Control.

The project is embedded within the ERC Starting Grant project "Energy-based learning of complex dynamical systems" (E-BLOCS) and offers collaboration within a lively research community, regular seminars, group meetings, and opportunities for international research visits and interdisciplinary training.