Internship | Bayesian hierarchical and state-space models for machine diagnostics in the high-tech industry

Imagine trying to understand what goes on inside a high-tech machine. Often operating at the edge of technology, every subsystem is constantly subject to multiple physical effects, interacting and compounding, all the while the machine is operating under wanted and unwanted dynamics in a data-scare environment. The high-tech manufacturing industry is ripe with examples where learning and training are necessary but standard ML methods have little hope of succeeding. When every machine is unique and every failure is one of a kind, incorporating models, domain expertise, physics and uncertainty becomes a necessity for learning and inference.

In this project, the student will develop high-dimensional discrete state-space models with low-dimensional dynamics. In such models, a large amount of hidden, discrete, state variables x_t^i evolve in time according to a shared transition process f such that x_(t )^i=f_θ (x_(t-1)^1,…,x_(t-1)^N), where the parameters θ of the process are low dimensional and shared among all state variables. After that, a noisy version of the hidden variables is measured.

Along with developing the models, the project will include development of inference routines to both infer the latent states of the state-space model and learn the latent dynamic parameters. In order to make inference tractable, domain knowledge is to be combined with variable sparsity, hierarchy and Markovianity. The project will be co-supervised by the Technical University of Delft and the Intelligent Diagnostics team at TNO-ESI in Eindhoven. Professor Joris Bierkens will be the scientific supervisor, while Alvaro Piedrafita will provide technical supervision and Leonardo Barbini providing formal super. Regular meetings with both supervisors at TUDelft and Eindhoven are expected.

• You are a team player who can work independently under the guidance of a supervisor.
• You are structured and well-organised, and you ask for help when you need it.
• You are a master’s student in (applied) mathematics, physics, computer science, or similar.
• You have a background in statistical modelling.
• You have some programming experience. Ideally with Python.

You want an internship opportunity on the precursor of your career; an internship gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world. Read more about TNO as an employer.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society. Want to know more? Read what steps we are taking in the area of diversity and inclusion.

After the first CV selection, the application process will be conducted by the concerning department. TNO will provide a suitable internship agreement. If you have any questions about this vacancy, you can contact the contact person mentioned below.

Important to be aware of before applying:

• Before the start of the internship, the internship agreement from TNO needs to be signed. For students at a college or university based in the Netherlands, TNO uses the UNL-template (supplemented with a number of specific agreements from TNO). For students of foreign and MBO educational institutions, the TNO internship agreement applies. TNO does not sign any other internship agreements.
• Before the start of the internship, the educational institution will need to confirm in writing that:
  • 1) you are enrolled at the educational institution during the internship, and;
  • 2) the internship takes place as part of the programme of the study.
• The confirmation of educational institution takes place by signing the UNL template or forms prepared by TNO.
• Interns at TNO must be in possession of a Dutch residential address at the start of the internship. Performance of internship activities from abroad is not possible.