(Ph.D. or Postdoc Fellowships) Model-predictive control of a Diesel air system with exhaust gas recirculation (Germany)

The Chair of Process Systems Engineering (AVT.PT) is part of the Aachener Verfahrenstechnik at RWTH Aachen, consists of about 30 researchers and is directed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. W. Marquardt. The research is focused on the development of basic principles of mathematical modeling, the combination of experiments and modeling, conceptual process design, process operations and control as well as the development of numerical algorithms and software-tools. The algorithmic research is integrated in the graduate school AICES and in the German Research School of Simulation Sciences. The methodological aspect is complemented by applications in the process industries.

Your profile:
You have received an excellent master’s / doctoral degree (or equivalent) in process technology or a related degree such as chemical engineering, cybernetics or systems engineering. Interest in interdisciplinary cooperation and good communication skills in German and English are required. Experience in simulating or optimizing technical systems represented by ODEs and knowledge of Matlab or C/C++ complement your profile. Furthermore, precognition in control theory especially as regards flatness based control is desired.

Your duties and responsibilities:
In this cooperative project with Robert Bosch GmbH, the applicability of dynamic optimization methods is examined for industrial applications such as the Diesel air system. Dynamic optimization methods for nonlinear systems are already widespread in research. These methods offer the substantial advantage that the economic and ecological potential of industrial processes can be exploited efficiently. However, this control concept is not yet established in the industry. One reason is that the implementation of dynamic optimization methods can be complex for real processes.
In this project, the applicability of dynamic optimization methods is examined for the Diesel air system. By this means, not only the efficiency is improved but also polluting emissions are reduced. A numerically robust formulation is challenging – especially for such a mechatronical system due to fast dynamics and different time constants. Furthermore, the software tools available must be extended to model switching elements such as valves.
Furthermore, you contribute to lectures, software development and other duties within this chair
Our offer:
The candidate will be employed as a regular employee. The candidate must meet the required personal qualifications.
The position is to be filled as soon as possible and is for a fixed term of 12 months. Renewal is possible. This is a position for a research assistant with or without PhD. Salary is according to TV-L 13. The successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree.
The weekly hours will be 39.83 hours.
RWTH Aachen University has been certified as a « Family Friendly University ».
RWTH is committed to promoting the careers of women and therefore looks forward to receiving applications by female candidates. For positions in organisational units where women are underrepresented, in cases of equal qualification, ability and professional achievement, preference will be given to female applicants unless reasons specific to an individual candidate tilt the balance in his favour.
The University positively welcomes applications from suitably qualified disabled people.
Contact:
For further information, please contact:
Frau Dipl.-Ing. Inga Wolf
Tel.: +49 (0) 0241/80-96384
Fax: +49 (0) 0241/80-92325
E-Mail: Inga.Wolf@avt.rwth-aachen.de
You can also obtain further information from our website: http://www.avt.rwth-aachen.de
Please send your application by 30 September 2012 to
RWTH Aachen
Aachener Verfahrenstechnik – Prozesstechnik
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt
Turmstrasse 46
52064 Aachen
Or submit via e-mail to:
E-Mail: jobs.pt@avt.rwth-aachen.de