Shape intelligent control and coordination in future complex systems, from sustainable energy grids to autonomous mobility. In this ERC-funded PhD, you develop cutting-edge game-theoretic control and optimization methods
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 “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 optimization, convex-monotone game theory and data-driven optimal transport, you will develop new frameworks for control and optimization 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.
Your responsibilities
As a PhD researcher, you will:
- Analyze stochastic game equilibrium problems
- Develop tractable data-driven distributionally robust reformulations
- Develop data-driven stochastic equilibrium seeking algorithms
- Develop data-driven optimal control for stochastic game equilibrium problems
- Teaching activities are part of your PhD trajectory and may include, for example: supervising workgroups 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.
Your work environment
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 to feedback and new perspectives.
Furthermore, you meet the following requirements:
- You hold an MSc degree (or close to completion) in Systems and Control, or Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, or Applied Mathematics, or related field.
- You have experience with, or a strong affinity for, in Systems and Control, or Optimization, 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).
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.
ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.
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Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact prof. Sergio Grammatico (
[email protected]). For more information about the application procedure, please contact our HR advisor, Giedo Kocken, (
[email protected]).
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 14 June 2026 upload the following documents:
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement of motivation and research interests (up to one page)
- Transcripts of all exams taken and obtained degrees (in English)
- Up to 3 research-oriented documents (e.g. thesis, conference/journal publication)
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
Please note:
- #EUfunded This is an EU funded project, named Data driven Game theoretic Control for Constrained Systems (ARGON). project number 101231127 within program HE / ERC
- The call for applications will remain open until the ideal candidate is found. The starting date is flexible, ideally June 1, 2026.
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
