PhD Position Robust Game Theory Complex Systems

Job description

Modern society depends on complex, interconnected systems such as renewable energy grids, autonomous vehicles and human‑machine collaborative systems. Ensuring that these systems operate safely, efficiently and fairly is a major scientific and societal challenge. It requires new approaches to control and decision‑making in environments where multiple agents interact under uncertainty and constraints.

In this PhD project at TU Delft, you will develop advanced game‑theoretic control and optimization methods to address these challenges. As part of the European Research Council (ERC)‑funded project Software “Data‑driven Game Theoretic Control for Constrained Systems” (ARGON), you will work at the forefront of fundamental research with high potential for technological impact.

You will conduct theoretical and computational research on game theory and multi‑agent optimization for complex systems. By building on tools from distributionally robust optimisation, convex‑monotone game theory and data‑driven optimal transport, you will develop new frameworks for control and optimisation in multi‑agent systems. These methods will contribute to applications such as distributed power systems, multi‑vehicle automated driving and human‑machine collaboration, enabling safer, more efficient and more sustainable solutions.

You will join the Delft Center for Systems and Control within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. DCSC is an internationally leading research centre where PhD candidates, postdocs and faculty members work on modelling, analysis, control and optimisation of complex dynamical systems relevant to science, engineering and society. You will focus on optimisation‑based, data‑driven and partially model‑based control methods. You will have access to a strong research network and a broad range of expertise across systems and control, optimisation and data‑driven methods.

At DCSC, you will find an open and collaborative environment where interdisciplinary teamwork, intellectual curiosity and scientific excellence are valued. We work closely across research clusters and application domains such as energy, mobility and high‑tech systems, sharing a drive to deepen fundamental understanding and contribute to societally relevant, sustainable solutions.

You are a curious and proactive researcher who enjoys tackling complex theoretical and computational problems. You are motivated by fundamental scientific questions and take initiative in exploring novel ideas. You work well independently, while also thriving in a collaborative and internationally oriented research environment. As a strong team player, you contribute actively to discussions within a diverse research group and are open to feedback and new perspectives.

• You hold an MSc degree (or close to completion) in Systems and Control, or Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or Applied Mathematics, or a related field.
• You have experience with, or a strong affinity for, Systems and Control, Optimisation, or Game Theory.
• You demonstrate excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, combined with curiosity and diligence.
• You have strong communication skills and an excellent command of English (knowledge of Dutch is not required).

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4‑year period of employment in principle, but in the form of two employment contracts. An initial 1.5‑year contract with an official go/no‑go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional…