MSc Thesis Student - Traction

Job description

Transport is at the core of modern society. Imagine using your expertise to shape sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions for the future. If you seek to make a difference on a global scale, working with next-gen technologies and the sharpest collaborative teams, then we could be a perfect match.

Are you passionate about vehicle dynamics, control systems, and developing innovative solutions for heavy-duty off-road vehicles? Volvo Group Trucks Technology (GTT) is seeking motivated Master’s students to undertake a challenging thesis project focused on improving traction and vehicle performance in challenging terrains.

What you will do

This thesis will focus on the optimal control of wheel synchronization when engaging differential locks on heavy off-road vehicles. During travel on low-friction terrain, wheels can spin out, causing the vehicle to get stuck. Differential locks are used to force wheels to rotate at the same speed, enhancing traction. However, to engage these locks effectively, the wheels must be synchronized—meaning the right and left driven wheels must turn at the same speed. The core of this project is to investigate the best way to synchronize these wheels, possibly using brakes, through advanced control strategies.

Objectives of the Master’s Thesis:

·  Investigate previous work done in the area of differential lock engagement and wheel synchronization. 
·  Investigate the effect of using different methods for wheel synchronization, utilizing advanced vehicle dynamics models developed by Volvo. Modification of these models may be required for this purpose. 
·  Develop controllers for wheel synchronization. Different control methods, such as Model Predictive Control (MPC), will be developed and compared. 
·  Test the performance of these controllers using simulations across various scenarios. Controller robustness and computational requirements will be of particular interest, along with physical limitations of the truck, such as actuator response speeds and safety considerations. 
·  Optimize the controllers for low computational load to enable implementation in an ECU. 
·  If time and resources permit, test the final controllers on a real off-road truck.

Your profile:

·  Master’s student in vehicle dynamics, control systems, or related fields. 
·  Solid mathematical skills and interest in control theory, vehicle modeling, and signal processing. 
·  Experience with MATLAB is preferred. 
·  Enthusiastic about applying theoretical knowledge to practical challenges in heavy vehicle technology.

Ready for the next move?

· 
Start date: January 2026 

· 
Location: Volvo Group Trucks Technology at Lundby, Gothenburg, Sweden 

· 
Volvo Supervisors: Basar Özkan ( basar.ozkan@volvo.com ) and Gelso Esteban 

· 
Last application date: October 19, 2025 

 

This thesis offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative control solutions in a global leader in heavy vehicle technology. If you are eager to develop advanced control algorithms and work in a collaborative environment, we look forward to your application! 

 

Join us and help shape the future of off-road vehicle performance! 

 

If you find this proposal interesting, apply now, including your CV and grades. We will review applications continuously and may select someone before the last application date. 

We value your data privacy and therefore do not accept applications via mail. 

 

Who we are and what we believe in 
We are committed to shaping the future landscape of efficient, safe, and sustainable transport solutions. Fulfilling our mission creates countless career opportunities for talents across the group’s leading brands and entities.

 

Applying to this job offers you the opportunity to join Volvo Group . Every day, you will be working with some of the sharpest and most creative brains in our field to be able to leave our society in better shape for the next generation. ​We are passionate about what we do, and we thrive on teamwork. ​We are almost 100,000 people united around the world by a culture of care, inclusiveness, and empowerment. 

 

Group Trucks Technology are seeking talents to help design sustainable transportation solutions for the future. As part of our team, you’ll help us by engineering exciting next-gen technologies and contribute to projects that determine new, sustainable solutions. Bring your love of developing systems, working collaboratively, and your advanced skills to a place where you can make an impact. Join our design shift that leaves society in good shape for the next generation.

Job Category:  Technology Engineering

Organization:  Group Trucks Technology

Travel Required:  Occasional Travel

Requisition ID:  24945