2 PhD + 1 postdoc position, KULeuven, "Bio-inspired distributed computing"

KULeuven, Belgium
Dept. Computer Science / Dept. Biology / Dept. Mechanics
Three open positions for computer scientists / biologists

Two PhD researchers
One postdoctoral researcher

In an interdisciplinary research project on

"Bio-inspired computing for coordination and control in large-scale and dynamic systems (BioCo3)"

Keywords

Multi-agent systems
Decentralized software engineering
Discrete optimization
Socio-biological systems
Biologically-inspired computing
Pickup-and-delivery problems

Project

"Biologically-inspired computing for coordination and control in large-scale and dynamic systems (BioCo3)"

This interdisciplinary project (involving computer science, biology, operations research and logistics expertise) studies decentralized approaches for controlling large-scale, dynamic systems - e.g. for controlling a large number of vehicles that need to accomplish transport tasks for clients (package delivery service). Achieving efficient and effective collective behavior is known to be quite a challenge, esp. if the systems are large in scale and submitted to changing operating conditions.

Complex collective behaviour occurs in many socio-biological systems. Social insects, e.g., are able to find the shortest path to food sources without any central control, or can build enormously complex nests with built-in ventilation systems, or divide the work such that the chances of survival are optimal.

Some socio-biological mechanisms for collective behavior have already been studied in the context of computing (e.g. stigmergy and digital pheromones, or in discrete optimization techniques, such as ant colony optimization, artificial immune systems, genetic algorithms). It becomes apparent, however, that (1) large-scale and dynamic systems still hold major challenges, and (2) many socio-biological concepts and techniques have been unexplored.

The project therefore aims to study advanced concepts and mechanisms, known from social biological systems, and their applicability in decentralized control systems. To guide the research, the project will use concrete application scenarios, based on decentralized control in pickup-and-delivery problems (PDPs).

The partners in this project are
Dept. of computer science, DistriNet labs Prof. Tom Holvoet http://distrinet.cs.kuleuven.be/ Dept. of biology, Laboratory of entomology Prof. Tom Wenseleers http://bio.kuleuven.be/ento/ Dept. of mechanics, Center for industrial management Dr. Paul Valckenaers http://www.mech.kuleuven.be/en/cib/
Saint-Lieven College, IT department
Dr. Greet Vanden Berghe
http://ingenieur.kahosl.be/personeel/greet.vandenberghe/

Requirements

For this ambitious project, two PhD positions and one position for a postdoctoral researcher are open. We invite applications from: either people who have a strong computer science background (master degree for PhD positions, PhD degree for the postdoc position) with a strong affinity and interest in biology, or people who have a strong a biological background (master degree for PhD positions, PhD degree for the postdoc position) and strong affinity and interest in computer science.
The positions are available from October 1, 2010 (negotiable). Further requirements for candidates include having a scientific, critical attitude being ambitious having good communication and social skills, team player having an independent working style being proficient in English experience as a researcher is welcome but not mandatory for the PhD positions.

For more information and for applying...

For more information about the project and the positions, and for applying for a position, contact the project coordinator:

Prof. Tom Holvoet
DistriNet Labs - Dept. of Computer Science, KULeuven, Belgium http://people.cs.kuleuven.be/Tom.Holvoet

For more information about the KULeuven:

http://www.kuleuven.be/

http://www.leuven.be/

The deadline for application is

July 15, 2010.

When applying, make sure to include (pdf versions of):

a detailed resume (with publications, if you have any) a motivational letter specifically referring to the open positions copies of marks and degrees/certificates a list of 3 references that we can contact your MSc thesis in English (or a 5-page summary in English).

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