PhD Student in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)

Luleå University of Technology experiences rapid growth with world-leading expertise within several research domains. We shape the future through innovative education and groundbreaking research results and drawing on our location in the Arctic region, we create global societal benefit. Our scientific and artistic research and education are carried out in close collaboration with international, national and regional companies, public actors and leading universities. Luleå University of Technology has an annual turnover of SEK 1.9 billion. Today, we have 1,815 staff and 19,155 students.



In the coming years, multi-billion investments will be made in large projects in Northern Sweden to create a fossil-free society both nationally and globally. Luleå University of Technology is involved in several of these cutting-edge research projects and in the societal transformation that they entail. We offer a broad range of courses and study programmes to match the skills in demand. We hope that you will help us to build the sustainable companies and societies of the future.

The EISLAB division of the Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering conducts research within Cyber-Physical Systems, Internet of Things, Systems-of-Systems automation, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Data Science, Electronic systems design, and sensor systems. EISLAB is involved in several large European projects on distributed system construction with a focus on IoT, systems of systems (SoS), and CPS. Recent examples include Arrowhead Tools (more than 80 partners, EUR 91 million) and DigiPrime (more than 35 participants).



Our research is conducted in close collaboration with industries such as Bosch, Ericsson, Volvo, Infineon, Boliden, LKAB, SKF, and leading international universities. A major result is the Eclipse Arrowhead, an open-source software framework for industrial automation widely supported by European industry.



Subject description

Cyber-Physical Systems focuses on integrated software and application architectures with implementations of massively distributed embedded systems that interact with each other and their environment to enable secure, goal-driven, autonomous and evolvable solutions.



Project description

You will work with some of the following areas of CPS systems:



- System engineering and the development of new model-based declarative solutions.

- Digital twins as proxies and service interfaces to IoT devices and CPS, including traditional and hybrid AI systems.

- Industrial SoS security.

- Access and usage control for secure data sharing in industrial eco-systems.

- Programmability of neuromorphic systems.

- Virtualization at the cloud-to-edge continuum for flexible and adaptable distributed systems.

- Decentralized systems in general, including block-chain technologies.



The studies will be conducted as parts of national or European projects with industrial partners. These projects aim to further digitalize the European industry, where EISLAB will be responsible for the CPS intelligence, IoT, and SoS automation architecture as well as the use of AI and Machine Learning (ML). Targeted results include academic papers and contributions with open-source code for the Eclipse Arrowhead.



Projects typically involve working with both academic and industrial partners in Europe. Hence, collaboration with the software and automation industry in the form of both future product owners and users is a key factor to the success of these projects. In this, you will work closely with other researchers and doctoral students at Luleå University of Technology.



Duties

As a PhD student, you work towards a Doctoral degree as the final goal. Most of your time will be devoted to working on research projects in which you will develop proofs-of-concept to experimentally evaluate and explore aspects of industrial software systems and components. You will communicate your results at international conferences and in scientific journals.



To support your dissertation work, you will take courses in the form of third-cycle studies introduction, generic courses for the PhD program at Luleå University of Technology, specially designed courses, etc. Your research and coursework will be planned and recorded in your individual study plan throughout your progress. In addition, teaching and other duties at the division or department exist for graduate students, which are limited to 20 % of the maximum five-year period.



Qualifications

We are looking for you who are analytical and motivated who, both alone and in collaboration with others, can carry out advanced research in our research group. The necessary background for applicants is a master’s degree in preferably Computer Science. Also, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or equivalent will be considered. We also welcome applicants with expected graduation in such degree during 2022.



You must be proficient in Computer Science. Previous experience of working with SOA, IoT, CPS and/or SoS is valuable but not a requirement. You must also possess good programming skills, including software design, basic programming concepts as well as experience in Java programming or similar. Fluency in oral and written communication in English is a requirement.



For further information about a specific subject see; General curricula for the Board of the faculty of science and technology



Further information

Employment as a PhD student is limited to 4 years, with extension of maximum one year for teaching and other department duties. Placement: Luleå. Starting: Autumn 2022 or Spring 2023.



For further information about the position, please contact Associate Senior Lecturer Cristina Paniagua, +46 (0)920-49 3858,cristina.paniagua@ltu.se



Union representatives:SACO-S Kjell Johansson (+46)920-49 1529 kjell.johansson@ltu.se, OFR-S Lars Frisk, (+46)920-49 1792 lars.frisk@ltu.se



In case of different interpretations of the English and Swedish versions of this announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.



Application

We prefer that you apply for this position by clicking on the apply button below. The application should include a CV, personal letter and copies of verified diplomas from high school and universities. Mark your application with the reference number below. Your application, including diplomas, must be written in English or Swedish.



Reference number: 3513-2022

Last day of application: November 20, 2022