Predoctoral Research Position (FPI Contract)Intelligent Systems for Advanced Railway Traffic Management with Virtual Coupling
Project Reference: PID2025-170030OB-I00
Host Institution: Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)
Funding Programme: Formación de Personal Investigador (FPI) Predoctoral Contract

Expected start date: January-February 2027 (subject to the official UPM FPI call timeline).
Location: Madrid, Spain.
Research areas: Artificial Intelligence, Railway Traffic Management, Virtual Coupling, Optimization, Digital Twins, and Intelligent Transportation Systems.
Highly motivated candidates interested in pursuing a PhD are strongly encouraged to apply.
Research Project
The Universidad Politécnica de Madrid invites applications for a predoctoral research position associated with the research project PID2025-170030OB-I00, "Intelligent Systems for Advanced Railway Traffic Management with Virtual Coupling."
The project aims to develop innovative artificial intelligence and advanced control techniques to improve railway traffic management through the concept of virtual coupling,



an emerging paradigm that enables trains to operate more efficiently, safely, and with reduced headways. Research activities will focus on the design, modelling, simulation, optimization, and validation of intelligent decision-support and automation systems for future railway operations.
Research Topics
The successful candidate will contribute to several of the following areas:
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for railway applications.
Railway traffic management and optimization.
Virtual coupling and moving-block signalling concepts.
Multi-agent and distributed control systems.
Decision-support systems for railway operations.
Digital twins and simulation environments.
Safety, reliability, and performance assessment of advanced railway systems.
Data-driven and predictive methods for railway transportation.
Candidate Profile
Applicants should possess:
A Master's degree (or equi

📌 Predoctoral Research Position (España)
🏢 Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
📍 España