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PhD Position about Optimal Control and Experimental Design (Project OCARINA) (Deadline: rolling until the position is filled)

Location: MCTAO (Inria, Sophia Antipolis) & LJAD (Université Côte d’Azur, Nice)

Start: Fall-Winter 2026

Project OCARINA (Optimal Control frAmework for Robust Iterative NonlineAr experimental design) is an ANR-funded research project aiming to advance experimental design through applications of optimal control theory, motivated by collaborative research on retinal experimentation with computational and experimental neuroscientists. Experimental design seeks to maximize the information obtained from experiments while minimizing cost, time, and material use. In model-based systems, this often involves reducing uncertainty in parameter estimates, which is particularly crucial when experiments are expensive or limited in duration. When the system dynamics are described by a dynamical model, experimental design can be naturally formulated as an optimal control problem. Controls (such as light stimuli) are chosen to optimize a criterion related to the Fisher information. This perspective enables the use of geometric and functional analysis to derive qualitative insights and guide the design of efficient experimental protocols.

 

We invite applications for a funded PhD position within project OCARINA. 

 

The project focuses on three main challenges.

1. Control-theoretic perspective: develop the geometric theory of experimental design based on optimal control, formalizing experimental design problems and analyzing qualitative properties of optimal solutions (e.g., structure of singular trajectories, Hamiltonian formulation).

2. Ensemble control and uncertainty: represent unknown parameters as distributed ensembles and develop robust strategies that account for variability and incomplete knowledge applying recent advances on optimal control in infinite dimension (such as measure-valued dynamics).

3. Neuroscience application: apply these methods to retinal experiments, where each preparation is time and resource-limited, so that efficient design has immediate, tangible impact.

The PhD candidate is expected to focus primarily on the first two theoretical and methodological challenges, using the neuroscience application as a rich source of motivation and a validation ground for the developed framework. This position offers an opportunity to engage in deep mathematical analysis, explore emerging theoretical frameworks, and connect rigorous mathematics to impactful research.

 

We seek a highly motivated student with a strong background in mathematics.

• Candidates with expertise in fields related to the project are encouraged to apply: analysis, dynamical systems, control theory, stochastic calculus.

• Profile: curious, mathematically rigorous, and interested in interdisciplinary applications.

 

The PhD will take place in Sophia Antipolis, on the French Riviera, offering a stimulating environment with excellent research and campus facilities. The student will join a top-level research group in mathematical control theory within leading institutions (MCTAO at Inria and LJAD, Université Côte d’Azur). The project provides opportunities for international collaborations and interdisciplinary interactions.

PhD in France

The PhD will last three years, it is funded through a standard French doctoral contract, with a gross monthly salary of 2300€. The contract can be supplemented by optional light teaching duties at the University or at the Polytech engineering school.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should apply by email to the addresses below, including the following materials:

• CV and academic transcripts (past grades).

• Contact information of one or two referees.

• Short statement of interest describing motivation and relevant skills.

Deadline: rolling until the position is filled.

Contact: ludovic.sacchelli@inria.fr, lamberto.dellelce@inria.fr

 

David is looking to hire a PhD student in probability theory, and more specifically (mathematical) statistical physics, with a focus on spin glasses. 

 

The preferred start date is 1 September 2026 (or earlier), but a start at any time between now and 1 September 2027 is possible.

 

This position is at UniDistance Suisse/FernUni Schweiz, Switzerland's youngest university. Our name will likely change to the University of Valais soon. The place of work is Brig, Valais. The closest major city is Bern, which is about 1h away by train. We are an online university for teaching, but research is onsite (in practice hybrid). The successful candidate must reside in Switzerland; our HR department will support the residence permit process.

 

The conditions are comparable to those at other Swiss universities:

- Teaching load: TA for one course per semester

- Salary: 70 000 CHF per year (for holders of a master's degree)