Doctoral fellowship (m/f/d) in Horizon Europe MSCA network FOURIER

Full-time

Research and Instruction

The Chair for Resilience of Technical Systems offers a doctoral fellowship in the pan-European doctoral network ‘FOURIER’ funded under the European Union’s framework programme Horizon Europe, MSCA Doctoral Networks. Doctoral fellowship (m/f/d) in Horizon Europe MSCA network FOURIER

Application deadline: 30. April 2025
Publication date: 22. January 2025
Start-date: At the earliest possible date.
Scope of work: Fulltime position
Id no.: 00004153

Description

The Chair for Resilience of Technical Systems, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Stolz at the University of Freiburg, Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering, offers a doctoral fellowship in the pan-European doctoral network ‘FOURIER’ (InnOvative ArtiFicial IntelligencE methodologIes for monitoRing and maintaining large scale complex infrastrUctures and obtaining greener, more Resilient and smart societies) funded under the European Union’s framework programme Horizon Europe, MSCA Doctoral Networks.

FOURIER offers training-through-research within a uniquely structured doctoral programme imparting academic and complementary professional skills. A multifaceted scholarly training is provided jointly by nine academic partners. Moreover, doctoral candidates will learn how to develop and communicate academic solutions via temporary secondments to EE Infratec and VCE.

The comprehensive training in FOURIER will prepare doctoral candidates for careers in academia, applied sciences, and the industry.

Benefits

FOURIER offers PhD candidates an exceptional opportunity to become part of a pan-European doctoral network. They will acquire a broad range of research-focused skills in direct cooperation with established scholars of an emerging, highly topical research field. Their employability is further strengthened through secondments at to EE Infratec and VCE.

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellows are offered a full-time, three-year contract. An attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for doctoral candidates is offered. The monthly gross salary includes 3342,20€ per month Living Allowance, 600€ Mobility Allowance and 660€ per month Familiy Allowance (if applicable). Please note that all compulsory national contributions (social security, pension, insurances, taxes etc.) to be borne by the employer and employee shall be deducted from the abovementioned amount in line with MSCA rules.

Requirements

We seek a highly motivated early-stage researcher who hold a master’s degree in electrical or civil engineering, applied mathematics, physics or a related discipline and possesses excellent theoretical and empirical skills.

Documented previous experience in

causal inference
geo-referenced agent-based modelling
data analysis of heterogeneous data sources
complex systems modelling and analysis

is highly desirable.

A strong background in computer programming.

Prospective candidates should have demonstrated the ability to acquire and develop new methodology and techniques.

Proficiency in English is a requirement
Proficiency in German is highly desirable

Excellent written and verbal communication skills for the effective dissemination of interdisciplinary research results, as well as the ability to cooperate scientifically during secondments are mandatory.

Applications should be directed at a particular PhD project. If you apply for more than one position within the FOURIER network, please submit your applications separately to each institution, mentioning for which other position in the network you also applied.

Doctoral candidates’ recruitment is subject to the mobility rule. Applicants may be nationals of Member States, Associated Countries, or any other third country. Additionally, the applicant must not have lived or worked in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to their date of recruitment, excluding short stays such as holidays.

Applicants who hold a doctorate at the date of recruitment are ineligible.

The selection process for doctoral candidates involves several stages to ensure a comprehensive and fair assessment. After an initial analysis, the three most promising candidates are invited for interviews with the evaluation committee. This allows for a more in-depth assessment of their profiles and potential. Following the interviews, the advisor analyzes the candidates and provides their opinion on acceptance, considering compatibility with the research line and potential for guidance. The organization then conducts a final assessment of the selected candidate, verifying administrative and institutional aspects to confirm acceptance. The process concludes with signing a contract, which formalizes the relationship between the successful candidate and the institution. This contract establishes the rights and duties of both parties. Through this structured approach, the selection process aims to guarantee a thorough evaluation of candidates and ensure that the most suitable profile is chosen for the doctoral programme.

The selected candidates should ideally begin their PhD enrolment/employment by mid 2025.

Position Doctoral Candidate

Title of the project:

Causal inference for Resilience quantification of critical infrastructure networks

Project description:

Critical infrastructure systems and sub-systems are often analyzed through drawing conclusions from observations only. However, the determination of the effect of interventions and possible improvements is less addressed. This depends on the understanding of the system and can be provided by determining the actual causalities effects. For the application of smart metering devices for smart homes and industry prosumers, the work first builds causal diagrams from raw data sources of houses and industry sites, aggregates health status data, policies and simulation data. Secondly, causal inference is conducted through computing quantitative causal diagrams. As a result, the work will identify and provide answers to key causal questions: (i) associations covering what monitoring signals reveal about the actual health state of the system, (ii) how the system behaves if components degrade or improve, and (iii) counterfactual analysis determining to which degree the interventions actually cause system improvements while considering other anyway ongoing processes. This three-rung causal ladder approach will be iterated for identifying correct causal relation diagrams and quantify uncertainties.

First supervisor: Prof. Dr. Alexander Stolz (supported by Prof. Dr. S. Hiermaier), University of Freiburg

Second supervisor: Dr. P. Furtner, VCE

Planned secondments: 5 months at EE Infratec/EWS; 5 months at VCE.

The University of Freiburg is an equal opportunity employer. Applications of women are encouraged. Handicapped candidates with equivalent qualifications will be given preference.

Documentation to be sent in by the applicants:

Cover letter shortly describing motivation and research interests. The letter should also indicate if any other doctoral positions advertised within FOURIER have been applied for, including the order of preference.

Project proposal describing how the candidate would approach the PhD topic (research question, theoretical approach, proposed methods, focus of empirical analysis). The length of the proposal should be 1 page (font size 11), excluding references.

CV (summarizing education, previous positions, academic work, and, if relevant, a list of publications).

Copy of MA degree diploma(s) and full academic transcripts with grades.

Please send the application as one single PDF file. The application deadline is 21.03.2025.

The position is limited to a maximum duration of 3 years. The salary will be determined in accordance with MSCA - Doctoral network.

We will be particularly pleased to receive applications from women for the position advertised here.

Application

Please send your application in English including supporting documents mentioned above citing the reference number 00004153, by 30. April 2025 at the latest. Please send your application to the following address in written or electronic form:

INATECH RTS Resilience Engineering for Technical Systems Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg Georges-Köhler-Allee 71 79110 Freiburg, Germany

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr.-Ing. Mark Alexander Stolz on the phone number +49 761 203 54246 or E-Mail alexander.stolz@mail.inatech.uni-freiburg.de.