PhD Position Data-Driven Distributed Game Theory

Shape intelligent control and coordination in future complex systems, from sustainable energy grids to autonomous mobility. In this ERC-funded PhD project, you develop cutting-edge game-theoretic control and optimization methods.

Modern society depends on complex, interconnected systems such as sustainable power 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 fundamentally new approaches to control and optimization in environments where multiple agents interact under uncertainty and constraints.

In this PhD project at TU Delft, you will develop distributed computational methods for game-theoretic control and optimization to address these challenges. As part of the European Research Council (ERC)-funded project “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 dynamic game theory and multi-agent optimization for uncertain systems. By building on tools from distributed optimization, convex-monotone game theory, and hybrid systems, you will develop new computational frameworks for data-driven game-theoretic control in large-scale multi-agent systems. These methods will contribute to applications such as multi-actor power grids, multi-vehicle automated driving and human-machine collaboration, enabling safer, more efficient and more sustainable operations.

As a PhD researcher, you will:

• Analyze the complexity of relevant structured classes of distributed game equilibrium problems.
• Develop data-driven, fast and scalable computational methods for game equilibrium problems.
• Develop an open-source computational toolbox for dynamic game equilibrium problems.
• Teaching activities are part of your PhD trajectory and may include, for example: supervising work groups or lab sessions, assisting in courses, or mentoring BSc and MSc students. While teaching will not be your main responsibility, it offers valuable experience that supports your development and prepares you for future academic or professional roles.

You will join the Delft Center for Systems and Control (DCSC) within the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. DCSC is an internationally leading research centre where PhD candidates, postdocs and faculty members work on modeling, analysis, control and optimization of complex dynamical systems relevant to science, engineering and society. You will focus on optimization-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, optimization 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…