PhD Student - Virtual Simulation Models for LiDAR and Radar Sensors (f/m/d)

We are CARIAD, the automotive software company of the Volkswagen Group. Our teams build automotive software platforms and digital customer functions for iconic brands like Audi, Volkswagen, and Porsche – supporting the Volkswagen Group in becoming the leading automotive technology company. With CARIDIANS in Germany, the USA, China, Estonia, and India, we are transforming automotive mobility for everyone.

Join us and be part of this exciting journey!

YOUR TEAM

The aim of our PhD Program is to promote innovative topics that are relevant to CARIAD. We cooperate with top universities and bring new research projects to life. Our PhD candidates get the opportunity to create new innovations in their projects for CARIAD and the respective scientific field. All PhD projects are accompanied by a supervisor professor and a dedicated CARIAD mentor. Essential trainings for the PhD candidates complete the PhD Program.

Our ADAS & AD pre-development department Sensors Concept & Innovations is looking for a PhD candidate for the project “Virtual Simulation Models for LiDAR and Radar Sensors”. 
We are working on cutting-edge sensor technologies for enabling the best-in-class AI perception stack for all brands at Volkswagen Group. Our team is responsible for the pre- and concept-development of next generation cameras, lidar and radar sensors, the definition of the ADAS sensor set, and the mechanical integration of sensors. In addition, we analyze the market and do tech scouting for sensor technologies.

In your daily work, you will work closely together with experts from all teams across the department alongside the ADAS/AD stack. We are an open-minded, highly motivated, and interdisciplinary team. We look forward to welcoming a self-motivated PhD candidate with an innovative spirit to join us.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Work on the PhD project “Virtual Simulation Models for LiDAR and Radar Sensors”
• Review and summarize the state-of-the-art 
• Develop highly accurate LiDAR and radar simulation models considering environmental and operational conditions (weather, material properties, sensor characteristics)
• Collect the necessary data to enable the development of highly accurate sensor simulation models
• Combine physics-based and Machine Learning approaches for improved accuracy in sensor modeling
• Integrate the developed sensor models into simulation frameworks
• Define validation metrics and implement validation workflows for the sensor simulation models
• Benchmark the sensor models against real-world sensor data
• Provide recommendations and documentation of the research

WHO YOU ARE

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Physics, Robotics, Mathematics, Data Science, Electrical Engineering or related field 
• Mandatory knowledge in one of the following: machine learning (GANs, domain adaptation, surrogate modeling) or applied physics (optics, laser physics, photonics, electromagnetic theory)
• Strong programming skills (Python, C++, MATLAB)
• Experience with common machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, etc.
• Preferably experience with radar or lidar sensors in in the context of ADAS & AD
• Preferably experience with simulation tools (CarMaker, PreScan, Carla, VTD, NVIDIA DRIVE Sim...)
• Strong analytical and communication skills; fluent in English
• German language skills are a plus
• Self-driven, proactive, and resilient in research challenges
• Enthusiastic about automated driving and sensor technology

NICE TO KNOW

• Duration: 3 years
• Working with high ranked University
• Remote work options
• Possibility to supervise students
• Temporary work from abroad in selected countries
• 30 days paid leave
• Note: please upload your transcript of records
• If you have further questions about the candidate journey at CARIAD, please contact us: careers@cariad.technology

At CARIAD, we embrace individuality and diversity because we believe our differences make us stronger. We actively seek to build teams with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. If you need assistance with your application due to a disability, please reach out to us at careers@cariad.technology - we are happy to support you.