Applications are invited for 4 PhD positions (“Early Stage Researchers”) to be funded by the Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network “AUTOBarge – European training and research network on Autonomous Barges for Smart Inland Shipping” within the Horizon 2020 Programme of the European Commission.
ESR 3 – From static to dynamic Inland Electronics Charts (IENC)
Host institution: KU Leuven (BE)
Project title/WP: From static to dynamic Inland Electronics Charts (IENC) (WP1)
Supervisory board: Prof. P. Slaets (KU Leuven, BE), Prof. E.F. Brekke (NTNU, NO), G. Morlion (DVW, BE)
Objectives:
- Develop an offline algorithm to fuse point cloud data information with the IENC database information to obtain an ISENC+ database including additional attributes
- Develop an algorithm to fuse realtime point cloud data with ISENC+ database information to obtain a dynamic ENC
Expected Results:
- Offline automated merging procedure between gathered point cloud data and the ISENC database, leading to a new ISENC+ database
- Optimized, merged algorithm to adapt the ISENC+ database online
Planned secondment(s):
- PERI (BE): Getting experienced with the current steps to build up an Electronic Navigation Chart (M12-14, secondment mentor: M. Persoons)
- MARIN (NL): Virtual dynamic Electronic Navigation Chart building using the advanced simulator (M24-26, secondment mentor: G. van der Wal)
Enrolment in the Doctoral degree: KU Leuven (BE)
ESR 4 – Protocols for communication between autonomous vessels themselves and autonomous vessels and traffic control
Host institution: NTNU (NO)
Project title/WP: Protocols for communication between autonomous vessels themselves and autonomous vessels and traffic control (WP1)
Supervisory board:
Objectives:
- Increased safety and efficiency of autonomous inland shipping by contributing with effective protocols
- Effective exchange of navigation data, mission plans, and other critical information between autonomous ships, conventional vessels and traffic management systems
Expected Results:
- New protocols that are validated against traffic rule compliance, safety and traffic efficiency when used in autonomous ship control to avoid collision and control traffic
- New protocols that support machine-to-machine communication, machine-to-human and human-to-human interaction
Planned secondment(s):
- KM (NO): Development of requirements and specifications (M12-14, secondment mentor: K. Solberg)
- TU Delft (NL): Design and analysis of protocols by simulations of formulation and solution of optimal traffic control problems utilizing data from the protocols (M26-28, secondment mentor: R.R. Negenborn)
Enrolment in the Doctoral degree: NTNU (NO)
ESR10 – Safety assurance of remotely operated and fully autonomous inland vessels
Host institution: KU Leuven (BE)
Project title/WP: Safety assurance of remotely operated and fully autonomous inland vessels (WP3)
Supervisory board: Prof. D. Pissoort (KU Leuven, BE), Dr. V. Reppa (TU Delft, NL), E. el Amam (RHM, NL)
Objectives:
- Develop a generic safety case template based on the SACM v2.0 argumentation language
- Integrate the principles of Functional Safety with those of Safety-of-the-Intended-Function as well as Run-Time Risk Management to guarantee safe nominal behaviour of remotely operated and autonomous inland vessels
Expected Results:
- Structured methodology for the argumentation, supported by evidence, to justify that a remotely operated or autonomous inland vessel is designed such that its behavior is acceptably safe when being put into service
- Fully documented and compelling safety-case for remotely operated and autonomous inland vessels
Planned secondment(s):
- TU Delft (NL): Collaboration towards joint publication on how to include fault diagnosis of sensor faults and sensor limitations into a safety case of autonomous vessels (M28-30, secondment mentor: V. Reppa)
- RHM (NL): Application of generic safety-case structure for autonomous inland vessels to an industrial use-case (M36-38, secondment mentor: E. el Amam)
Enrolment in the Doctoral degree: KU Leuven (BE)
ESR11 – Data content, sharing and exploitation: defining common ground and actor network for collaborative decision making in autonomous inland waterways
Host institution: CUT (SE)
Project title/WP: Data content, sharing and exploitation: defining common ground and actor network for collaborative decision making in autonomous inland waterways (WP3)
Supervisory board: Prof. S. MacKinnon (CUT, SE), Prof. Q. Liu (UHAM, DE), M. Wahlström (VTT, FI)
Objectives:
- Improve collaborative decision-making platforms and information management strategies
- Define, develop and integrate critical AI and automation tactics using actor network and Human-Centered Design (HCD) approaches to support operation logistics (data propagation, updating, validation and coordination)
Expected Results:
- Improved operational safety and efficiency, decrease environmental insults, support regulatory framework development and contribute to innovative business models
- Develop guidelines for information/data standardization, classification and structure to support improved system situation awareness and collaborative decision-making
Planned secondment(s):
- LIH (DE): Identify industry-based subject matter experts to define inland waterway stakeholders; actor competencies and capacities (M12-14, secondment mentor: T. Brauner) (joint secondment with ESR12)
- VTT (FI): Data analysis and interpretation (M20-22, secondment mentor: M. Wahlström)
Enrolment in the Doctoral degree: CUT (SE)
Eligibility criteria
Applicants need to fully respect three eligibility criteria (to demonstrated in the Europass CV):
- Early-stage researchers (ESR) are those who are, at the time of recruitment by the host, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged.
- Conditions of international mobility of researchers: Researchers are required to undertake transnational mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. At the time of selection 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 their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not considered.
- English language: Network fellows (ESRs) must demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training.