PhD on Hybrid AI for Real-Time Control of Additive Manufacturing

Introduction

Are you passionate about the future of circular manufacturing and intelligent quality control? Join us to develop AI-powered frameworks that improve real-time decision-making in additive remanufacturing. Help shape the future of sustainable, high-performance production.

Job Description

Additive manufacturing (AM) is transforming industrial production by enabling the creation of lightweight, customized, and sustainable components. However, ensuring consistent quality in AM-based remanufacturing remains a critical challenge. The process involves complex, nonlinear, and partially observable dynamics, and current quality control practices are often fragmented and reactive. To move towards a more reliable and circular manufacturing approach, we need intelligent quality control systems that can adapt in real time and handle uncertainty. Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be of critical help here.

This PhD project aims to develop a hybrid AI framework for quality control in AM-based remanufacturing. You will explore how to combine data-driven and model-based approaches to assess the quality of returned parts, monitor in-process performance in real time, and support intelligent decisions on remanufacturing actions. The focus is on creating an integrated quality control system that adapts to uncertainty and enables continuous process improvement.

The research is part of the national Add-reAM project, which supports the Dutch circular economy by advancing AM-based repair and remanufacturing. You will be embedded in the Operations, Planning, Accounting and Control (OPAC) group within the Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences (IE&IS) at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), and collaborate with a multidisciplinary consortium of academic, industrial, and other partners working on the future of sustainable manufacturing.

Job Requirements

We are looking for a candidate who meets the following requirements:

• A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Systems & Control, or a related field.
• A strong interest in AI for manufacturing, quality control, or optimization.
• Solid programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
• Experience with simulation modelling or finite element analysis (FEA) is a strong plus.
• Affinity with data-driven decision-making, real-time systems, or additive manufacturing is a plus.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• A research-oriented attitude and ability to work independently.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 max. € 3,881).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the intended supervisors of the PhD position, dr. Mehrdad Mohammadi (m.mohammadi1@tue.nl), or dr.ir. Rob Basten (r.j.i.basten@tue.nl).  

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services (hrservices.ieis@tue.nl).

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the “apply now” button. The application should include the following documents (preferably) as a single PDF file:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae (CV), including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.
• Copies of diplomas and academic transcripts with grades from prior university studies.
• Brief description (max 1000 words) of your MSc thesis and/or relevant research projects.
• Research Proposal (max 1500 words) in which you present your approach to the research topic, including initial ideas and potential methodologies.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.