PRR Project

Summary

The position will be open in the Center of Intelligent System (CIS) , which is one of the five research centers of IDMEC from LAETA. CIS focuses on the research and development activities in the design and analysis of complex engineering problems based on the theory of dynamic systems. CIS aims to be the multidisciplinary interplay of systems & control theory and engineering applications. The main contributions related to the core multidisciplinary research activities to be developed include the areas of Control Systems and Advanced Robotics, Intelligent Automation, Data Modelling and Optimization. This position focuses on the main scientific area of Intelligent Systems and Control. The objective is to hire a researcher with a strong background knowledge on design and analysis of complex engineering problems that will be able to blend concepts from dynamic systems theory with new paradigms from artificial intelligence and machine learning .Automation, systems, and control domains have gained relevance in the last years in cutting-edge fields such as Energy, Transportation, Aerospace, Bioengineering, Healthcare, and other areas. In these domains, three research fields are gaining increasing interest: intelligent data analysis, modelling, and optimization. These fields are being used especially to tackle complex challenges of great actuality and societal relevance with a significant multidisciplinary perspective, including challenges in: smart energy management, including renewables, power systems, and urban transport; distributed optimization of supply chains and supply networks; intelligent factory automation; density and efficiency for automotive electric traction and aircraft electric/hybrid propulsion applications; medical decision support systems.Industry 5.0, digital manufacturing, cyberphysical systems, or even smart factories, they all have in common the use of intelligent software and machines to interact with one another, and with people, autonomously, both in the factory and through the cloud. This data-driven factory of the future came with the rise of big data which led to this new era of data-based decision making. In this environment, where a huge continuous data flow is available, the integrated analysis of data allows, among other aspects, to examine processes in an integrated manner.  Soft computing will have an important role in dealing with big data, due to its tolerance to imprecision, uncertainty, partial truth, and approximation.The research to be developed by the candidate concentrates on using systems theory approaches to modelling, feature selection, intelligent data analysis, intelligent automation and optimization of complex systems applied mainly to relevant societal problems in energy, transports and aerospace . The proposed research areas will complement and strengthen the role of CIS in IDMEC fostering the multidisciplinary nature of mechanical engineering. The research explores the current national and European research and technology trend on industry digitalization supported by the Horizon Europe framework closing the gap between academia and industry. Thus, the candidate must be able to contribute to the synergy between applied research and industry.The sought-after scientific expertise is geared towards advancing methodologies and techniques for the design and analysis of intelligent systems. The researcher will conduct scientific research and technological development activities and participate in university extension tasks, scientific dissemination, and economic and social knowledge valorization. He/she can also supervise students at the master and PhD levels. Within CIS, the candidate will consolidate scientific research and develop new areas of significant importance for the academic development and internationalization of IDMEC/LAETA. The candidate should have demonstrated solid research activity in intelligent systems, research innovation and a propensity for international collaboration. CIS group in IDMEC is internationally well recognized. It has a leading role in the internationalization of Portuguese research and in developing new engineering applications in Portugal. Renovating the group with active and young researchers is crucial to bring new competencies and ensure its leading role.CIS has many laboratories, including robotics, control, automation, mechatronics, vision, and electrical machines laboratories. These laboratories provide the necessary infrastructures to support the researchers, including the application of advanced materials in mechatronic systems, superconducting materials for electrical machines, medical robotic technologies, tools for diverse medical fields such as orthopedics, urology and neurosurgery, and an industrial flexible production system.