PhD student position in LEAR

PhD student position in LEAR: Robust LEArning methods for electric vehicle Route selection

Chalmers offers this unique PhD position where you can develop sustainable and socially responsive route optimization methods for electric vehicles with AI tools. This is a Triple A position:
1. A great chance to conduct high-quality research with strong industry (AB Volvo) support.
2. A comprehensive and supportive training program with multiple interdisciplinary mentors.
3. A beautiful city to make a career and have a life.

Project description
Understanding the efficiency and the behavior aspects in connected vehicular automated network calls for larger than the vehicle scale context. Our main goal is to develop convergent learning methods to design routing in uncertain traffic networks. We will rely on interdisciplinary approaches among i) mathematical sciences (graph theory, optimization) ii) computer science (iterative learning theory), iii) traffic flow theory (network conservation laws, capacity). We propose to devise real-time routing solutions for a fleet of vehicles with double aims: efficency and improved social interactions.

The main focus of the project is on route planning for a commercial fleet of Connected Electrified Vehicles (CEVs). More specifically, the objective is to minimize the duality of energy consumption including charging planning, and to consider social aspects e.g. through congestion. In this way we produce solutions that are beneficial to the fleet and to the techno-socio environment. Due to the inherent complexity of the problem, the project aims at using learning methods to provide efficient solutions. The project involves academia (Chalmers) and Volvo AB as core collaborative partners.

The project is financed by the Swedish Electromobility Center under the project LEAR: Robust learning methods for electric vehicle route selection.

Information about the research group
Chalmers University of Technology is located in Gothenburg on the scenic west coast of Sweden. It is among the top research schools in Europe. The research environment is international and English is the working language.

The PhD student will be located at the Automatic Control Group at the department of Electrical Engineering. The goup focuses on applications in the transportation and energy sectors whilst having a long tradition in robust, optimal control design solutions. The PhD student will interact with researchers at the Computer Science and Engineering and Architect and Civil Engineering Departments.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibilities are to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. The position also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding up to 20 percent of working hours.

Qualifications
The applicant should have a Master's degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Control, Transportation or similar. Excellent presentation skills, and fluency in English are required. Skills in mathematical sciences  (graph theory), system and control theory are essential, optimization theory, some machine learning background. Interest or experience with approximate reinforcement learning, graph theory, as well as previous experiences in research, publications, and teaching are advantageous.

Contract terms
The position as a PhD student is a full-time temporary employment, limited to a maximum of four years, plus teaching and other departmental duties. A monthly salary is paid. There are no tuition fees for PhD studies at Chalmers.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20240067 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. 

Application deadline: 14 March, 2024



For questions, please contact:
Professor Balazs Kulcsar
kulcsar@chalmers.se

Morteza Haghir Chehreghani
morteza.chehreghani@chalmers.se

Jiaming Wu
jiaming.wu@chalmers.se

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***