PhD Student AI Methods Powertrain (f/m/d)

Work environment

Volkswagen Group Innovation is the central innovation hub of the Volkswagen Group, conducting research on novel technological concepts as part of a holistic approach to future mobility. Its mission is to systematically demonstrate the feasibility, opportunities, and risks of various mobility solutions—including associated vehicle concepts—to derive well‑founded recommendations for the Group’s brands. This includes, among other things, the scientific evaluation of vehicle concepts, for example regarding the efficiency of energy usage, the overall powertrain, and the entire vehicle, as well as the corresponding operational strategy. Alongside mathematical analyses, machine learning and AI‑based approaches are increasingly applied to evaluate large datasets. Within these research fields, we offer the opportunity to work in a young, interdisciplinary team and contribute to the exploration and development of intelligent algorithms, helping to shape the mobility of tomorrow.

Possible Tasks within this Role

• Designing and further developing AI‑based control and decision‑making logics for vehicle and powertrain functions within the scope of a doctoral program
• Analyzing and classifying modern optimization and control concepts as a foundation for future‑oriented AI approaches
• Designing, implementing, and researching AI‑based control and decision models for the adaptive optimization of vehicle and powertrain functions
• Evaluating the performance of AI‑supported methods in comparison with classical control‑ and algorithm‑based approaches
• Prototypically implementing and validating developed methods in MATLAB, Python, or comparable development environments

The final doctoral topic is defined together with the professor. The prerequisite for the cooperation is the confirmation of supervision as well as a confirmed delimitation of topics by the professor of a university or research institution entitled to confer a doctorate.

Qualification Requirements

• Good to very good university degree qualifying for doctoral studies in engineering, computer science, natural sciences, or comparable fields of study
• Strong programming skills; experience with programming languages such as Python, PyTorch, MATLAB/Simulink, or similar is an advantage
• English language level B2
• Knowledge in the field of machine learning and AI is desirable
• Ability to work independently, with strong analytical and complex problem‑solving skills
• Strong team orientation

The following documents must be submitted with the application

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Current transcript of records / Master’s or Diplom degree certificate

Keywords

Dissertation, Electric Vehicles, Artificial Intelligence, Operating Strategy, Optimization Algorithms