The Dynamics based Maintenance group, Faculty of Engineering Technology at the University of Twente, The Netherlands has an opening for a postdoc candidate within the project “Engineering for Zero Downtime in Cyber-Physical Systems via Intelligent Diagnostics (ZORRO).

The Challenge

To increase the availability and reliability of critical and complex high-tech systems, like machines used in the semiconductor industry or industrial printing machines, data from sensors and inspections is used more and more to better detect or even predict failures. The aim of the current research project is to develop novel methods and tools to improve the (automatic) detection, diagnosis (and potential prediction) of failures. The main challenge will be the complexity of the considered cyber-physical systems, containing large numbers of components and subsystems with a wide range of potential failure modes. Purely relying on data-driven methods applied to sensor data will not yield a complete identification of all faults, which means that they will have to be fused with domain knowledge and physical degradation models. Collaboration in this national project with five industrial partners and several universities and research institutes allows the researchers to work with real data from advanced systems.

The successful applicant has a PhD degree and background in mechanical / aerospace / industrial engineering or applied mathematics, data science, or similar areas. Research experience on topics like fault detection and diagnostics, prognostics and health management or data-driven smart maintenance is required. As the projects are multidisciplinary, candidates are expected to be open for / have affinity with other domains than their own background. Good spoken and written English and the ability to work in a team and coach PhD students are mandatory.

The work in these projects will take place at the Dynamics based Maintenance group at the University of Twente, as well as at the premises of the companies involved. The UT provides a dynamic and international environment, excellent working conditions, an exciting scientific environment, and a green and lively campus. We offer:

• A temporary full time Postdoc position for three years.
• Interesting temporary research position in a dynamic and international environment, combining the benefits of academic research with a topic of high industrial relevance.
• Gross salary between € 3.877,- and € 5.090,- per month depending on experience and qualifications;
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8.3% and a solid pension scheme.
• You can make use of excellent facilities for professional and personal development and a training program.
• You will receive good secondary conditions, in accordance with the collective labor agreement CAO-NU for Dutch universities.