PhD on Multi-Objective Optimization in Imaging Optics

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.

With over 110 (assistant associate and full) professors almost 300 PhD and EngD students about 1500 Bachelor students and 1000 Master students the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (M&CS) is the largest department of the TU/e. By performing top-level fundamental and applied research and maintaining strong ties with industry M&CS aims to contribute to science and innovation in and beyond the region.

Job Description

Are you fascinated by application-oriented research in mathematics and would you like to be our next PhD candidate in the field of imaging optics We are excited to announce an opening for a motivated PhD candidate to join our research team. You will focus on multi-objective optimization in imaging optics contributing to new computational approaches for optical system design.

Imaging optics involves the design and optimization of imaging systems (cameras telescopes ) to most accurately capture and reproduce an image. This is especially relevant for high-interest research topics like optical metrology in chip production. The design process in imaging optics is inherently multi-objective involving different competing performance measures. This could be on a more systematic level the interplay of quality cost and manufacturability but also image quality itself can be described by competing performance measures.

A typical goal in imaging optics is to minimize different types of aberrations. An optical designer will look at the significance of these types to form a weighted sum of aberrations to be minimized using typical optical-design software. However this requires expert knowledge and will only provide a single design solution. Moreover not all trade-off solutions can be necessarily found by minimizing a convex combination of objective functions.

The aim of this PhD project is to develop problem-specific strategies that focus on the multi-objective aspect of the problem. Especially we would like to understand the underlying systems by finding several compromise solutions allowing to make a posteriori choices for the final design.

Imaging optics will bring somenew and interesting challengesto the development of multi-objective optimization methods: First we need to formulate the multi-objective optimization problems in suitable design spaces. Also we encounter various local minima that are sub-optimal. As a result classical numerical optimization strategies are not applicable in a straightforward manner. However global strategies in the context of multi-objective optimization may not be feasible due to high computational costs. New multi-objective hybrid strategies shall overcome this dilemma.

Your tasks will involve:

• Conducting research on multi-objective optimization algorithms and their application to imaging optics.
• Developing and implementing optimization strategies tailored to imaging systems.
• Analyzing and interpreting research data publishing and presenting your research.
• Participating in academic activities including seminars workshops and teaching.

You will be part of ourComputational Illumination Opticsgroup at TU/e an applied mathematics group dedicated to problems in the field of optics with a lot of interesting industry-related applications from amongst others Signify and ASML. We will work together and support your research. The group belongs toCASA(Centre for Applied Analysis Scientific Computing and Applications) that offers a nice research atmosphere with a lot of possibilities for exchange and social activities.

A more detailed project description and planning can be foundhere.

Job Requirements

• A masters degree (or an equivalent university degree)in (applied) mathematics (applied) physics or related fields.
• Familiarity with optimization techniques computational modeling and simulation.
• Programming skills.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interest in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivation to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluency 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 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. 3059 max. 3881).
• 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 childrens 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 hiring manager Lisa Kusch Assistant Professor.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services M&CS.

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 button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references.

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.