PhD Student in Control Engineering with Focus on Data Center Control

Lunds Universitet · Full-time

Box 118, Lund, Sweden

PhD Student in Control Engineering with Focus on Data Center Control Lund University, Lund Institute of Technology, Department Project and Subject Description The AEGIS project is at the intersection of two rapidly growing areas: data centers and AI infrastructure on one hand, and energy and power systems on the other. Today, few have expertise in both areas, which means the expertise you develop here is both rare and highly sought after. More specifically, there is a gap between overarching goals such as "reduce carbon emissions now" and the concrete control of a data center's cooling system, batteries, and computing hardware. In this project, you will bridge this gap. You will develop a control system that receives overarching goals ("intents") and translates them into a coordinated set of control actions for the facility's physical resources. The models are fed back in the control loop and automatically adapted online using both classical control engineering and AI and reinforcement learning. Within the project, you will work with: Designing methods for expressing overarching control goals (intent language) that describe objectives for carbon emissions, flexibility, and cost. Breaking down overarching goals into concrete control actions. Adapting models for power–performance and thermal behavior online. Duties You will primarily dedicate yourself to your doctoral education, which includes participation in research projects as well as doctoral courses, seminars, and conferences. The doctoral position consists of three main parts and your duties include: research projects, including writing articles, traveling to conferences, seminars, etc. doctoral courses, local, national as well as international courses (90 ECTS) teaching (however maximum 20% of working time), including lab supervision, exam responsibility, and development work. This part also includes departmental service, such as work with diversity and equal treatment, organizing events at the department, etc. Qualifications To be admitted and employed as a doctoral student, you must meet the requirements below. Eligibility Requirements You meet the basic eligibility for education at the research level if you have: completed an examination at advanced level, or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way. You meet the special eligibility for control engineering if you have: knowledge corresponding to "FRTF05 Control Engineering, General Course (formerly FRT010)", as well as specialization at the master's level with relevance to the field, and a civil engineering degree or equivalent competence. MSCA's ordinary eligibility criteria also apply: No doctoral degree. At the time of employment, you must not yet have completed a doctoral degree. Mobility rule. You may not have resided or had your main occupation (work or studies) in Sweden for more than 12 months during the 36 months preceding employment. Shorter visits, such as vacation, do not count. Other Requirements To benefit from the current doctoral education, the following is also required: very good knowledge of English, in speech and writing. good linguistic analytical ability. good creative ability through coming up with new ideas and approaches. good ability to collaborate with colleagues and network with external contacts. that you are self-driven and structured and take personal responsibility for advancing your studies and research projects. good ability for independent work and the ability to formulate and address scientific problems. good ability for written and verbal communication. good knowledge of mathematics as evident from course grades. Meritorious For the current doctoral education, the following are meritorious: Good knowledge of Machine learning and reinforcement learning. Cloud systems and the underlying technology. Hardware-level programming and experience with the Linux kernel. are particularly meritorious. Consideration will be given to good collaborative ability, drive and independence, and how the applicant through their experience and competence is assessed to have the ability needed to complete the doctoral education. About the Position The position is a fixed-term full-time employment, starting as soon as possible or by March 1, 2027 at the latest. The doctoral education is four years with full-time studies. Upon teaching and other departmental work, the employment is extended accordingly. Provisions regarding employment as a doctoral student are found in the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), Chapter 5, Sections 1-7. Other Information We intend to employ 1 doctoral student. Starting salary is 35 900 kr per month at 2026 salary level. Applicants who are called for interview may be asked to complete a work test. How to Apply Your application should be written in English and you should attach to your application: - CV and cover letter with motivation for why you are interested in the education position/employment and how the research project matches your interests and educational background. - Copies of issued study certificates and/or degree certificates. These should demonstrate your basic and special eligibility for the doctoral education subject and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral education project. - Anything else you wish to provide (copies of grades, references, recommendation letters, etc.). We look forward to your application!