The TU Delft Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab for Design, Analysis, and Optimization in Architecture & the Built Environment (AiDAPT) invites applications for two PhD positions in the areas of AI-driven decision-support analytics for (i) structural life-cycle assessment & optimization under uncertainty, and (ii) adaptive infrastructure management against multiple stressors.

We are seeking candidates who are highly motivated to work at the confluence of structural/architectural engineering, systems risk & reliability, optimization, and AI, towards addressing safety and resilience challenges of an aging, growing, and changing built environment. Recent advances in AI provide us with unprecedented capabilities to scale up and automate our design, information processing, and structural intervention strategies in complex and high-dimensional engineering settings. In this direction, of particular interest to this research is how we can harness and shape AI to make optimal and dynamic decisions in the presence of multiple stressors and hazards; uncertainties in structural health data and models; evolving environmental and anthropogenic demands; resource limitations; and long-term socioeconomic risks.

The research streams delineated by the two positions are aimed at providing novel insights in the ways the built environment will optimally adapt and change in the years to come, supported by innovative synergies between data-driven intelligence and model-based engineering. This research is expected to produce new knowledge that integrates deep, reinforcement and statistical learning methods, with data-based inference, decision theory, and structural mechanics.

The successful candidates will join the research group of Dr. Charalampos Andriotis, at the Chair of Structural Design & Mechanics, in the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment. Each position is funded for a duration of 5 years, during which the appointed candidates will (i) undertake research on their PhD topics and (ii) assist with the educational and research agenda of AiDAPT and the host Chair.

• An MSc in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, Computer/Data Science, and related fields;
• Strong background in at least two of structural mechanics, architectural engineering, systems reliability, uncertainty quantification, data analytics, and optimization;
• Working knowledge or expertise on data-driven and machine learning methods, and interest to apply this knowledge in structures and the built environment;
• Excellent programming skills (Matlab, Python, C++, or similar);
• Proficient use of English (oral and written).
• Teaching interest and/or experience in AI- and SD+M-related courses.
• Ability to work in a team, take initiatives, and be results-oriented.

Fixed-term contract: 5 years.

TU Delft offers DAI-Lab PhD-candidates a 5-year contract (as opposed to the normal 4-years), with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2395 per month in the first year to € 3217 in the fifth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers both in business and in a social context. TU Delft offers 16 Bachelor’s and 32 Master’s programmes to more than 23,000 students. Our scientific staff consists of 3,500 staff members and 2,800 PhD candidates. Together we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Department

AiDAPT Lab is a Delft Artificial Intelligence Lab. Artificial Intelligence, Data and Digitalisation are becoming increasingly important when looking for answers to major scientific and societal challenges. In a DAI-lab, experts in ‘the fundamentals of AI technology’ along with experts in ‘AI challenges’ run a shared lab. As a PhD, you will work with at least two academic members of staff and three other PhD candidates. In total TU Delft will establish 24 DAI-Labs, where 48 Tenure Trackers and 96 PhD candidates will have the opportunity to push the boundaries of science using AI. Each team is driven by research questions which arise from scientific and societal challenges, and contribute to the development and execution of domain specific education. You will receive a 5-year contract and will be deployed for AI-related education for the usual teaching effort for PhD students in the faculty plus an additional 20%. The extra year compared to the usual 4-year contract accommodates the 20% additional AI, Data and Digitalisation education related activities. All team members have many opportunities for self-development. You will be a member of the thriving DAI-Lab community that fosters cross-fertilization between talents with different expertise and disciplines.

AiDAPT is TU Delft’s AI-Lab for Design, Analysis and Optimization in Architecture & the Built Environment, co-directed by Dr. Charalampos Andriotis and Dr. Seyran Khademi, within the Chairs of Structural Design & Mechanics (SD+M) and Architecture, at the Faculty of Architecture & the Built Environment. At AiDAPT, we harness and shape AI to support long-term, adaptive, and evidence-based abstraction and synthesis of structural and architectural choices, towards a more sustainable and resilient built environment. The host Chair of the two PhD positions will be SD+M. SD+M contributes to research and education related to structural analysis and design in ABE and other Faculties within TU Delft, such as CEG and 3mE. With the newly established AiDAPT Lab, SD+M is further expanding its bridges with ECEE, and With-AI and In-AI Faculties of other DAI-Labs. Led by Prof. Mauro Overend, SD+M is a dynamic group of researchers and educators exploring ways of transforming structures into the safe, sustainable, and elegant built systems of the future through leading-edge research and inspirational education.