PhD Student Distributed Computer and Control Architectures for Modular Space & Robotics Systems (m/f/d)

Build and expand satellites in orbit – as easy as installing apps on your smartphone: This is the vision of the smartCASE project. The apps are intelligent, dockable modules, consisting of hardware and software, with which satellites can be expanded with new capabilities during operation. The pilot mission is scheduled to fly in 2030. Together with international industrial and research partners, we build the distributed software and control architecture that makes such modular space systems possible. The same principles – distributed, reconfigurable and fail-safe architectures – we also need beyond space: robotics, digital twins and complex automation systems. smartCASE is therefore the lighthouse of your activity, but leaves space for further topics at the interface of space, robotics, distributed systems and modern software technology. We are looking for a scientific co-worker/scientific employee with a doctoral plan and a strong passion for the development and validation of distributed software architectures, for Linux-based systems and hardware-related robotics and control software as well as for modern simulation-based system development methods. They develop real software architectures – not only concepts, but software with which individual modules digitally describe, interact with each other and validate them in virtual, hybrid and physical test environments. We offer: Possibility to doctorate in a highly topical research field A full place (full-time, remuneration according to TV-L E13) Work on real applications for industry and aerospace with direct reference to highly topical, EU-funded space development for modular space systems (project smartCASE, awarded the EU STEP quality seal) Development of real software architectures for modular space and robotics systems, not only concept work Access to modern laboratory infrastructure for robotics, simulation, hardware-in-the-loop and digital twins Cooperation with European industrial and research partners A creative, interdisciplinary research environment at RWTH Aachen, one of the leading technical universities and excellence universities in Europe Plenty of design space for own ideas and research directions Up to 40 % home office within the framework of an existing service agreement

About us: The Institute of Human Machine Interaction (MMI) is a nationally and internationally active and successful research institution in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology of the Rhine-Westphalian Technical University (RWTH) Aachen. The MMI is a specialist in modelling, simulation, control and analysis of complex systems in its application environment, for the interaction and networking of machines, devices and people, as well as for intelligent systems in space applications and on Earth. Digital twins realized at MMI revolutionize development processes and operation (not only) of robotic systems. They are the basis for the convergence of the virtual and real world – across industry and discipline. The diverse applications range from planetary over to modular satellite systems to the “International Space Station”, from industrial robots to “Virtuellen Produktion” and from wheel loaders to “Virtuellen Wald”. If you have any questions about the job or the project, we are happy about your contact – informal inquiries are expressly welcome. .