Job Detail

Inspire AG is a technology transfer organisation with strong links to
ETH Zurich. Its mission is to conduct research in the field of production engineering and to bring the scientific results and insights to the Swiss machine, electrical and metal industries in a timely manner. inspire has a close relationship with the Dipartimento Tecnologie Innovative (DTI) of SUPSI and is establishing with inspire South a joint group in Manno TI, focusing on intelligent production machines and processes. This group will also be closely associated with the
Institute for Machine Tools and Manufacturing (IWF) at ETH Zurich. The research group inspire South currently offers aPhD position − Intelligent Production Machines
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are considered today to be of crucial relevance for the future of all production machinery and their next large development step in automation technology. Manufacturing technologies are recognised as being extremely complex, which plays an ever-increasing role when the requirements for their results and of manufactured products become more and more strict. Instead of overstraining the capabilities of machine operators, the machine itself has to cope with the complex reality of manufacturing processes. Especially for additive manufacturing technologies, the number of influencing parameters is huge. To increase under all conditions the autonomy of machines, the unsupervised runtime, and to correct faults and uncertainties of the raw material, AI is regarded as the means of choice. This assessment is supported by the awareness that all modeling attempts of processes and machines to predict and control the behaviour are limited in accuracy. The research in this direction is the combination of deterministic modeling with ML and AI, which promises to be the optimal trade-off between data processing technologies and previously gained human knowledge.
The applicant has to have a master degree in Engineering or Physics. The position is coupled with the possibility of a PhD study at ETH Zurich. Qualified candidates should have the following capabilities: (1) Good kowledge of machine tools and manufacturing engineering; (2) Programming expertise, preferably in C/C++; (3) Competences in Information Technology and Machine Control.

The candidate is highly motivated and eager to learn. In addition, he/she likes to combine theoretical considerations and models with experimental tasks, having valuable technical skills. Through the close cooperation with our project partners, she/he will quickly establish contacts with Swiss industry. In our young teams he/she will work at the forefront of today's knowledge in manufacturing, AI and ML. We offer a modern working environment in a young and motivated team and an interesting topic in a fast growing field of research. This position is a 100% employment and the place of work is Manno, TI. The scientific work runs under supervision of Prof. K. Wegener, ETH in cooperation with Professors at SUPSI. A very good oral and written expression in English is a prerequisite and a good knowledge in Italian and/or German is preferable. Experience with Additive Manufacturing processes and materials engineering is an advantage.
We look forward to receiving your online application. Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.



For further information, please contact Prof. Dr.-Ing. Konrad Wegener, IWF, ETH Leadprofessor with inspire at wegener@iwf.mavt.ethz.ch (no applications), or Josef Stirnimann, Head of Laser & Micromachining, inspire AG at stirnimann@inspire.ethz.ch (no applications).