In the scope of the European Union EID
(European Industrial Doctorates) project HYDRA on "HYdraulics modelling
for DRilling Automation" the following three vacancies for Ph.D.
positions are available:
- PhD 1: at the Department of Mechanical Engineering (in the
Dynamics and Control group) of the Eindhoven University of Technology,
the Netherlands, on "Automatic model reduction techniques for hydraulic
drilling models: modelling for estimation & control ",
- PhD 2: at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
of the Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands, on "Automatic model reduction techniques for hydraulic drilling models:
modelling for numerical simulation ",
- PhD 3: at the Centre Automatiques de Systèmes, MINES
ParisTech, France, on "Simplified model-based estimation of downhole
parameters for drilling ".
The HYDRA project is financed by EU as an Innovative
Training Program within the Horizon2020 program, in particular as a an
EID (European Industrial Doctorates) project.
The scientific objective of HYDRA is to develop a framework for
multi-phase hydraulic modeling and model complexity reduction for
drilling operations, delivered in software directly usable in industry.
The resulting models uniquely combine high predictive capacity and low
complexity enabling their usage in both virtual drilling scenario
testing and drilling automation.
The project partners:
- The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Eindhoven University of Technology considers
as the core of their activities the design, realization and analysis of
new products, processes and materials. Besides the basis of (solid and
fluid) mechanics, materials, dynamics and control and thermodynamics,
parts of mathematics, physics, chemistry and computing science are
important supporting tools. The field is explored by a combination of
modeling using fundamental concepts and applied engineering and
technology. High-tech Systems, Automotive Engineering Science and Energy
Exploration are important departmental themes. The Mechanical
Engineering Department comprises about 1000 students and 250 staff
members.
In the
research group of Dynamics and Control of
the Department of Mechanical Engineering, research is focused on the
sub-areas the dynamic modeling and model reduction for mechanical
systems, model-based control of mechanical systems, dynamics and control
of hybrid and nonlinear systems, networked systems, acoustics,
robotics, manufacturing & energy exploration processes and
automotive systems. The present vacancies play a key role within the
sub-areas on the modelling and model reduction for mechanical systems
and the application area of energy exploration (in particular, drilling)
processes. Currently, between 20-30 Ph.D. students are performing their
research within this. Hence, candidates for the open positions will
find a stimulating research environment with many opportunities for
interaction with colleague Ph.D. students working on topics in dynamic
modeling, analysis and control.
- The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the Eindhoven
University of Technology is a place that brings motivated students,
lecturers and researchers together. We train high-caliber students and
conduct pioneering scientific research and our in-depth knowledge of
mathematics and computer science enables us to find solutions to issues
that exist within society. As part of Brainport, the 'smartest' region
of the world, we also enter into special collaborative partnerships with
companies and government authorities. This enables us to provide
exceptional future prospects to all those who study with us or
collaborate with us. The major objective of the Centre for Analysis,
Scientific Computing and Applications (CASA) is to develop new and
improve existing mathematical (both analytical and numerical) methods
for a wide range of applications in science and engineering. This area
of research is commonly known as Computational Science and Engineering.
Extensive collaboration with researchers in the technical sciences as
well as co-operation with industrial partners is vital. CASA has over 50
permanent staff and PhD students, and develops many professional and
social activities so as to create a very lively atmosphere appreciated
by visitors from all over the world.
- MINES ParisTech, part of PSL Research University is one of the
top-rated engineering school in France, providing top-notch training to a
restricted number of students. The CAS (Center for Automatic control of
Systems) is a leading center in the field of Systems & Control
theory, with a large variety of applications, ranging from the
automotive industry to quantum control. The expertise of CAS in the
field of Oil & Gas drilling and control of multiphase flow stems
from 20 years of close collaboration with oil companies. Ph.D. students
are at the core of the CAS’ productivity, and will benefit from a
privileged environment, interacting with outstanding researchers in the
field of control theory and its applications.
- Kelda Drilling Controls (Kelda) is an R&D-intensive
startup-up company with a main mission to develop and commercialize next
generation control systems for automated pressure control of drilling
operations. The core of Kelda's activities are related to development
advanced control systems, hydraulic modelling and system integration.
Kelda has a defined strategy to actively use research as a main
instrument to develop novel technology, and are currently involved in
several PhD research projects, complementary to the open positions. As
an industrial PhD student with Kelda, you will be working in a small
team of experts and get hands-on experience on the development of
cutting edge software and complex control systems. Kelda has offices in
Porsgrunn and Trondheim, Norway, and internships are possible at both
locations.
Project description
Societal
uses for the drilling of deep wells are abundant and have enormous
impact on global economies; examples include the exploration of
minerals, geothermal energy, oil and gas. The future sustainable
harvesting of these resources requires the exploitation of
difficult-to-access, unconventional reserves and is threatened by
concerns on the environmental safety and high cost of drilling
operations. To overcome these threats, there are strong needs for
advanced tools for virtual drilling scenario testing and drilling
automation and for multidisciplinary employees with adequate technical
and transferable skills.
The HYDRA EID research and training program addresses
both needs by founding an intersectoral doctoral school. The consortium
represents top-level expertise in all scientific and engineering
disciplines needed to take on the main challenges of HYDRA: multiphase
flow dynamics, model reduction, control and mathematics. Moreover, the
consortium houses expertise ranging from academic research &
training (TU/e, the Netherlands, MINES ParisTech, France) and industrial
R&D (Kelda, Norway) to industrial practice and training (MH Wirth,
Norway, and the Well Academy, the Netherlands), therewith offering a
broad spectrum of training.
The scientific objective of HYDRA is to develop a
framework for multi-phase hydraulic modeling and model complexity
reduction for drilling operations, delivered in software directly usable
in industry. The resulting models uniquely combine high predictive
capacity and low complexity enabling their usage in both virtual
drilling scenario testing and drilling automation. The main training
objective is to launch 3 doctoral students into future leading
scientific positions with an intersectoral network to support them
throughout their careers.
The envisioned results form the necessary basis for
revolutionary advances in the (environmental) safety and
cost-effectiveness of resource exploration in Europe and beyond and will
provide the human capital base for sustaining such efforts beyond this
program’s lifetime.
This project involves a combined academic and
industrial consortium, with Kelda Drilling Controls
(http://www.kelda.no/), Norway, as the main industrial participant.
Other participants are MHWirth (http://mhwirth.com) and the Well Academy
(www.thewellacademy.com) .This consortium promotes industrial adoption
of the technologies developed within the project.
Below, the individual focus and main goals of the three PhD position are described concisely.
PhD. 1:The main goals of this Ph.D. sub-project are:
- Develop model reduction techniques for the automatic construction of fit-for-purpose hydraulic models that are suitable for estimation and control of pressure.
- Implement developed model reduction techniques in software at Kelda,
- Validate and test implemented techniques on industrial scenarios.
Supervision of this project will be taken care of by
- Prof.dr.ir. Nathan van de Wouw
PhD. 2:
The main goals of this Ph.D. sub-project are:
- Develop model reduction techniques for the automatic construction of fit-for-purpose hydraulic models that are suitable for virtual drilling scenario testing,
- Implement developed model reduction techniques in software at Kelda,
- Validate and test implemented techniques on industrial scenarios.
Supervision of this project will be taken care of by
- Dr. Glenn-Ole Kaasa (http://www.kelda.no/team/)
PhD. 3:
The main goals of this Ph.D. sub-project are:
Develop an accurate model for two-phase flow in pipes, amenable to model reduction,
- Identify and perform physics-based complexity reduction opportunities,
- Develop estimation schemes for unmeasured states and parameters of Partial Differential Equations (PDEs),
- Validate and test techniques on industrial scenarios.
Supervision of this project will be taken care of by
Within all three Ph.D. positions, the researchers are
expected to spend 50% of their time at their hosting university and 50%
of their time at Kelda Drilling Controls in Norway. This will provide
the Ph.D. students with a unique opportunity to combine academic
research and training with industrial R&D. Throughout the project,
and especially during the visits to Kelda, we expect intensive
collaboration between the 3 PhD. students.
The starting dates are flexible but ideally would be in September 2016.
Moreover, the HYDRA project will offer to the students an extensive training program on
- Hydraulic modeling for drilling applications (at MINES ParisTech),
- Model reduction techniques (at TU/e),
- Managed pressure drilling applications (at Kelda) and Well control (at the Well Academy),
Providing the students with a solid background for their research and future careers.
Moreover, a training program focusing on more generic and transferable skills required by professional researchers is offered.
Job requirements
Important:The EU imposes the so-called ‘Mobility Rule’ for applicants to EID projects:
‘ at the time of recruitment by the host organisation, researchers must not have
resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host
organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately
prior to the reference date. Compulsory national service and/or short
stays such as holidays are not taken into account.’
This
implies that for the PhD students hired by the TU/e the applicant can
not have resided in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3
years immediately prior to the job within this project (similar for the
opening at MINES ParisTech).
Ph.D. candidate 1 (PhD 1) should have
- an M.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems and Control or
Mathematics with a solid background in the mathematical dynamical
modeling of mechanical systems, model reduction and systems and control
theory.
- a strong interest and skills in both 1) developing new fundamental
theories for the model reduction of complex dynamical systems and 2)
applying such novel scientific developments to industrial (drilling)
applications.
- Excellent communication skills and written/verbal knowledge of the English language.
Ph.D. candidate 2 (PhD 2) should have
- an M.Sc. degree in Applied Mathematics or Mechanical
Engineering/Systems and Control with a solid background in mathematical
modeling, model reduction and scientific computing.
- a strong interest and skills in both 1) developing new fundamental
theories for the model reduction of complex dynamical systems and 2)
applying such novel scientific developments to industrial (drilling)
applications.
- Excellent communication skills and written/verbal knowledge of the English language.
Ph.D. candidate 3 (PhD 3) should have
- an M.Sc. degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or
Mathematics with a solid background in systems and control theory, in
the dynamical modeling of mechanical systems, and in fluid dynamics.
- a strong interest and skills in both 1) developing new fundamental
theories for estimation of parameters of Partial Differential Equations
and 2) applying such novel scientific developments to industrial
(drilling) applications.
Excellent communication skills and written/verbal knowledge of the English language.
Interviews with the selected PhD-candidates will take place on-site at TU/e (the Netherlands) and MINES ParisTech (France).
Conditions of employment
For PhD. 1 and PhD. 2.
At the TU/e, we offer:
- A challenging job at a dynamic and ambitious University.
- An appointment for four years (start date as soon as possible).
- An attractive package of fringe benefits (including excellent work
facilities, end of the year and holiday allowances and fantastic sport
facilities at our campus).
- If necessary, the TU/e can help you to find housing.
- Gross monthly salaries are in accordance with the Collective Labor
Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO NU), increasing from € 2174 per
month initially, to € 2797 in the fourth year.
For PhD. 3. At MINES ParisTech, we offer:
- A challenging research job in a top-notch University.
- An appointment for three years (start date September 1st 2016)
- Gross monthly salaries are in accordance with the Allowances
provided by E.U. for Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) in France, i.e.
around € 2100 per month. An outstanding work and life environment, at
the heart of Paris, and access to the school’s sports facilities.
Information and application
On HYDRA in general
- If you would like to have more information on the HYDRA project, please contact prof.dr.ir. Nathan van de Wouw (N.v.d.Wouw@tue.nl).
For PhD. position 1
Visit
http://www.dct.tue.nl/vandewouw
for more information about the project leader and his research
activities. If you would like to have more information on the position,
please contact prof.dr.ir. Nathan van de Wouw (
N.v.d.Wouw@tue.nl)
For PhD. position 2
Visit
http://www.win.tue.nl/~wschilde/for
more information about the Prof. dr Schilders and his research
activities. If you would like to have more information on the position,
please contact prof.dr. Wil Schilders (w.h.a.schilders tue nl)
For PhD. position 3
Visit
http://cas.mines-paristech.fr for more information about the Centre Automatique et Systèmes (CAS) and
http://cas.mines-paristech.fr/~dimeglio
for more information about Prof. Dr. Di Meglio and his research
activities. If you would like to have more information on the position,
please contact Prof. Dr. Di Meglio (
florent.di_meglio@mines-paristech.fr).
To apply:
For PhD. positions 1 and 2, please upload your application by
clicking on the link ‘Apply now’ for the job opening concerned on the
TU/e website.
For PhD. position 3, please contact Prof. Dr. Di Meglio directly (
florent.di_meglio@mines-paristech.fr) by providing the information below.
The deadline for applications is March 1, 2016, 23.59 (CET).
The information to be uploaded should include:
- An extended curriculum vitae,
- an explanation of your interest in the proposed research topic,
- your course program and corresponding grades,
- references,
- all other information that might help us to assess your suitability
for one of these positions and a publication list (if applicable).