PhD Student

Job description

Ghent University is a top 100 university worldwide and one of the major universities in Belgium, with more than 50000 students and 15000 staff members. At the department of Electromechanical, Systems and Metal Engineering, we have an open vacancy for a PhD researcher in the mechatronics research group at the campus Kortrijk. The research in our group focuses on modelling, control, sensing and optimization of the electromechanical aspects of industrial machines, with an emphasis on Industry 4.0 technologies such as machine vision, AI or digital twins. A digital twin can be defined as a virtual replica of a physical system updated with actual sensing information and simulated in synchronism with its physical counterpart. Digital twins can provide deep insight in the behavior and condition of industrial machines, bringing considerable added value to the manufacturing industry. The long term goal of our research is to leverage this concept to realize sustainable mechatronics. In general, Industry 4.0 can be used to make mechatronic systems more efficient, productive, long-lasting, reliable, robust and flexible, leading to a more sustainable system overall.

We have opened a vacancy for a strategic and challenging PhD position with the topic ‘Direct visual process quality feedback to optimal machine operation in sustainable manufacturing’, under the supervision of Prof. Jeroen De Kooning and Prof. Kurt Stockman. The aim is to leverage our expertise on Digital Twins and machine vision to close the loop from real-time process and product quality detection to updating machine settings and control, using the insights from synchronized models. A critical challenge is to realize a Digital Twin which can quantify sustainability metrics online, and optimize these by acting automatically on the machine. Hence, the Digital Twin must be capable of relating machine settings and parameters to process quality and performance, and subsequently compute the optimal parameters. Potential applications to be explored in this PhD are web processing machines for foil-type materials and particle separation machines for recycling. The goal is to increasing product and process quality, thus reducing material waste, without impacting energy consumption or lifetime. In the past years, the research group in Kortrijk has built up critical expertise and laboratory infrastructure to support this PhD.

You will work in the mechatronics research group at the campus Kortrijk. The initial contract duration will be one year. The intended starting date is the first of September 2025. The contract can be extended to a full 4 year PhD research period under the condition of a positive evaluation after the initial period. You are expected to publish your research results in scientific journals and to present your results on international conferences. Ghent University offers an attractive salary with additional benefits, a positive and inspiring working environment and training possibilities.

Job profile

You have a master degree in engineering, in or closely related to electromechanical, electrical or control engineering. You are motivated, creative and have a passion for research. You have an affinity with both experimental research and simulation software. You must be sufficiently fluent in writing and speaking in English. You will work in a positive and international environment where a constructive collaboration with other researchers is expected. Therefore, we expect you to be a team-player and a good communicator.

How to apply

Send your CV and motivation letter to jeroen.dekooning@ugent.be before the closing date, including ‘PhD Direct visual process quality feedback’ in the subject of your e-mail. Please include contact details of two referees. If you pass the pre-selection, you will receive further instructions on the selection process and will be invited for a job interview, possibly via Teams.