PHD Fellowships (Fall 2021) in the Department of IMSE at Texas Tech University

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I have three PhD fellowships available in my research group within the Department of Industrial, Manufacturing, & Systems Engineering at Texas Tech University for capable and motivated students interested in theoretical or applied optimization. The fellowships are spread between two research lines and start in Fall 2021.

Research Lines
1.        Optimization on Manifolds (1 Fellowship): Manifolds provide a natural reframing for many optimization problems that have either a non-convex feasible region or objective function. This includes a multitude of modern problems in Data Science. This research line concerns the development and analysis of algorithms for solving optimization problems on manifolds.
2.        Automotive Manufacturing & Scheduling (2 Fellowships): A large U.S.-based automotive manufacturing is looking to use optimization and machine learning techniques to optimize the sequencing and scheduling of the production of their various automotive lines. This project aims to not only improve the manufacturer’s processes, but also use the developed improvements to inspire new theoretical tools.

Fellowship
These four-year fellowships include a tuition waiver, a waiver for most fees, and an annual $29,500 stipend. Students will have no required teaching duties. Additional funding to support travel for research and conferences may be available.

Requirements
Candidates should have:
•        An undergraduate degree in mathematics, computer science, statistics, operations research, industrial engineering, or a related field.
•        Strong grades in an introduction to proof writing course and/or introductory real analysis.
•        Basic knowledge in at least one programming language such as Python, Java, C#, or C++.
•        An interest in optimization and/or machine learning techniques and theory.
•        Good oral and written communication skills in English

Application
Interested candidates should send the following documents compiled into a single PDF to David.Gutman@ttu.edu:
•        Statement of Purpose
•        CV
•        Grade transcripts for all post-secondary degrees received
•        GRE scores (Applicants who have not taken the GRE but whom otherwise have evidence of strong quantitative skills will be considered)
•        List of three academic references
Applicants should submit these materials by 3/15/21 for full consideration. Candidates who submit materials after this date may be considered conditional on availability of positions.

Inquiries
Please address all inquiries to Assistant Professor David Huckleberry Gutman at David.Gutman@ttu.edu.