SnT is a leading international research and innovation centre in secure, reliable and trustworthy ICT systems and services. We play an instrumental role in Luxembourg by fueling innovation through research partnerships with industry, boosting R&D investments leading to economic growth, and attracting highly qualified talent.

The Centre is rapidly expanding its research activities and is seeking highly motivated PhD candidates who wish to pursue research in close cooperation with our partners. For further information you may check: www.securityandtrust.lu, https://wwwen.uni.lu/snt/research/spacer and https://wwwfr.uni.lu/snt/research/finatrax

This PhD thesis will count with the supervision Prof. Miguel Olivares-Mendez (SpaceR) and the co-supervision of Prof. Gilbert Fridgen.

We’re looking for people driven by excellence, excited about innovation, and looking to make a difference. If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place!

Your Role

The successful candidate will join a young, strong and motivated SpaceR research group focused on increasing the autonomy of aerial, planetary and orbital robotics for on-earth applications, space exploration, on-orbit servicing and manufacturing and space resource utilization. This innovative research group is led by Prof. Miguel Olivares-Mendez. The candidate will pursue a PhD under the framework of the FinTech/RegTech in Space for Trustful Autonomous Robotic Interactions - FiReSpARX project.  The PhD will be in the following topic:

• Novel and secure decision-making algorithms for coordinating heterogeneous planetary Multi Robot Systems (MRS) by using Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)

The main focus of this thesis is to develop decision-making algorithms based on Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)   for multi-robot interaction for space applications. This will require openness to do interdisciplinary work, as the dissertation project spans boundaries between economics, management, and computer science. The challenge will be to get a sufficient understanding of the topic from all these disciplines to combine them in an innovative way that makes a significant impact. The candidate will need to be able to apply existing knowledge to the given use case in FiReSpARX, extend knowledge in the specific use case, and to derive generalizable knowledge from the design process. The gained insights should make impact in space robotics and also for in the multi-robot systems (MRS) area.

The PhD student has to investigate, design, and develop a distributed decisionmaking strategy to coordinate the MRS and test the findings of his/her thesis in the LunaLab facility. For this, the student has to understand DLT, its limitations, and to know existing frameworks that can be integrated with ROS. Her/His work will focus on the integration of those technologies by defining interaction strategies among the robots. The PhD candidate will investigate IAT approaches that can be used to develop advanced decision-making strategies and robot behaviour differentiation, focusing on augmenting the autonomy of robots in collaborative and cooperative scenarios: with other robots and/or other teams.

Your Profile

Experience: The ideal candidate should have some knowledge and experience in some of the following topics:

• Multi-robots cooperation and/or coordination
• Autonomous Navigation, Path and/or trajectory planning, SLAM
• Intelligent Agent Technologies IAT
• Perception for robotics
• Sensor-fusion, State estimation
• Hands-on robotics
• Experience with heterogeneous robotic platforms
• Advance programming skills in C++ , ROS, and Python

be familiar with the principles of

• Linear algebra, coordinate frame transformations
• Planetary robotics
• Understanding of Distributed Ledger Technologies and its limitations
• Optimization
• Machine learning will be an asset

The position holder will be required to perform the following tasks:

• Carrying out research in the predefined areas
• Carriyng out Lab activities and maintenance and collaboration with other team members
• Disseminating results through scientific publications
• Assisting in organization of relevant workshops

Qualification: The candidate should possess an MSc degree or equivalent in Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics or affine.

Language Skills: Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Knowledge of French, German or Luxembourgish is desirable.

Here’s what awaits you at SnT

• A stimulating learning environment. Here post-docs and professors outnumber PhD students. That translates into access and close collaborations with some of the brightest ICT researchers, giving you solid guidance
• Exciting infrastructures and unique labs. At SnT’s two campuses, our researchers can take a walk on the moon at the LunaLab, build a nanosatellite, or help make autonomous vehicles even better
• The right place for IMPACT. SnT researchers engage in demand-driven projects. Through our Partnership Programme, we work on projects with more than 45 industry partners
• Multiple funding sources for your ideas. The University supports researchers to acquire funding from national, European and private sources
• Competitive salary package. The University offers a 12 month-salary package, over six weeks of paid time off, health insurance and subsidised living and eating
• Be part of a multicultural family. At SnT we have more than 60 nationalities. Throughout the year, we organise team-building events, networking activities and more

But wait, there’s more!

• Complete picture of the perks we offer
• Discover our Partnership Programme
• Download the brochure: Why choose SnT for your PhD?

Students can take advantage of several opportunities for growth and career development, from free language classes to career resources and extracurricular activities.

In Short

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 3 Year (up to 48 months if required)
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Kirchberg
• Foreseen starting date: April / May 2021
• Employee and student status
• Job Reference: UOL03829

Further Information

Applications should be submitted online and include:

• Full CV, including list of publications and name (and email address, etc) of three referees
• Transcript of all modules and results from university-level courses taken
• Research statement and topics of particular interest to the candidate (300 words)

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

About the University of Luxembourg

The University of Luxembourg aspires to be one of Europe’s most highly regarded universities with a distinctly international and interdisciplinary character. It fosters the cross-fertilisation of research and teaching, is relevant to its country, is known worldwide for its research and teaching in targeted areas, and is establishing itself as an innovative model for contemporary European Higher Education. The University`s core asset is its well-connected world-class academic staff which will attract the most motivated, talented and creative students and young researchers who will learn to enjoy taking up challenges and develop into visionary thinkers able to shape society.

Further information

For further information, please contact us at miguel.olivaresmendez@uni.lu