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City:  Karlsruhe
Date:  Mar 6, 2025

Master Thesis on Bayesian Optimization of Multi-stage Processes with Partial Evaluations

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.com) currently operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany and is a leading applied research organization. Around 32 000 employees work with an annual research budget of 3.4 billion euros. 

At the Fraunhofer-Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB, we turn the latest scientific findings into technical innovations and want to make our contribution to shaping the future. Would you like to gain experience in a modern and professional team and see first-hand how research and development in the field of process optimization using probabilistic AI works? 


Were we able to spark your interest? Then apply now! Just a ten-minute walk from KIT's South Campus, your chance to become part of our renowned research institution awaits. 
 

 

What you will do

Manufacturing process often are modeled as a single black-box by learning a mapping between inputs and outputs. However, one is also able to get intermediate observations from the process (eg. sensor observations, intermediate outputs). This information is highly valuable but not easy to use. With our research we have developed probabilistic methods, which we call Partially Observable Gaussian Process Network (POGPN), that can not only learn the input-output mapping but also use the valuable intermediate observations to improve the uncertainty quantification and optimization.

 

 

  • Learn to use state-of-the-art probabilistic models (POPGN and sparse GPs) for uncertainty quantification of complex process
  • Develop surrogate model for multi-stage manufacturing process and use Bayesian optimization (BO) to optimize the output quality
  • Extend existing BO with partial evaluation to POGPN and develop new partial evaluation methods
  • Compare different Bayesian optimization strategies
  • Test BO results using POGPN on different multi-stage systems

 

Publications/References:

 

What you bring to the table

  • You are studying computer science, data science, mathematics, physics or a comparable field of study
  • Working knowledge of PyTorch, python and git. GPyTorch and BoTorch is preferred.
  • Good coding practices
  • Knowledge about inference methods, Gaussian processes, variational inference, Bayesian optimization
  • Willingness to learn and research about SOTA topics
     

 

What you can expect

  • Flexible working hours: Your studies come first – together, we will find the right schedule for you
  • Hybrid work model: A combination of remote work and on-site presence in coordination with your supervisor.
  • Practical projects: Collaboration with industry partners and application of research results in real-life scenarios.
  • Individual supervision and an interdisciplinary team: Benefit from our professional accompaniment and an open, communicative exchange within the team.
  • Opportunities for contribution: High degree of personal responsibility and the opportunity to actively contribute your own ideas.
  • Prime location: Just a few minutes' walk from KIT Campus South and very good public transport connections.
     

 

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability. 

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. 

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!

 

If you have any questions, please contact:
Saksham Kiroriwal
Telefon: +491629869230
 

Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB 

www.iosb.fraunhofer.de 

 

Requisition Number: 78739                Application Deadline:

 


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