Key Skills

Job Description

In this project, with inspiration from physical phenomena, you will carry out a systematic qualitative study of such objectives as phase transitions. You will be embedded in the Discrete Mathematics and Quantum Information (DMQI) group at the Korteweg-de Vries Institute for Mathematics (KdVI) at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), under the supervision of Ross Kang, with co-supervision by Carla Groenland (TU Delft), the co-PI on this project. In addition to the PI and co-PI, the project team includes a postdoc at TU Delft. Working at the UvA Join Us! We seek an outstanding, highly motivated PhD candidate with excellent mathematical background to conduct research in probabilistic and extremal combinatorics. A typical objective in combinatorics is to optimise a parameter (such as graph density or maximum degree) to guarantee some desired structure (such as a triangle subgraph or a large independent set). In this project, with inspiration from physical phenomena, you will carry out a systematic qualitative study of such objectives as phase transitions. You will be embedded in the Discrete Mathematics and Quantum Information (DMQI) group at the Korteweg-de Vries Institute for Mathematics (KdVI) at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), under the supervision of Ross Kang, with co-supervision by Carla Groenland (TU Delft), the co-PI on this project. In addition to the PI and co-PI, the project team includes a postdoc at TU Delft. A good salary Your salary will be determined on the basis of your experience and seniority, in accordance with the Labour agreement. Your grading and therefore the amounts mentioned are based on full employment of 38 hours per week. 232 vacation hours We also offer parental leave, partner leave and social engagement leave. Through the Employment Conditions Menu Card, there are opportunities for even more vacation hours. Financial arrangements On top of your salary, you receive holiday allowance (8%) and a year-end bonus (8.3%). You build up a good pension with ABP. And in addition, we offer many other allowances and schemes. Career development and room for growth The UvA encourages you to continue to professionalise through training courses and open UvA lectures. Family matters Relocating to the Netherlands with your family? Find out about daycare, schooling, health insurance or employment options and support for your partner or spouse. Including the IDCN-network which provides support for your spouse through various training sessions, social activities, and networking events. All About This Vacancy This is what you will do You will, as PhD candidate, carry out independent, curiosity-driven research in the mathematical field of (probabilistic/extremal) combinatorics. The main research objective is to both formulate and resolve combinatorial challenges in line with the “Combinatorial Condensation” programme coordinated by the PI and the co-PI. This has qualitative links with structural graph theory, discrete probability, and algorithms. You won’t work in isolation. In addition to cooperation with the PI and co-PI, you will work directly with the postdoc at TU Delft. You will become embedded in the DMQI group at the KdVI, and benefit from the international research networks of the PI and the co-PI. The project includes the necessary allowances for occasional travel to Delft, as well as for (inter)national meetings, travel and guests. Alongside the main research-oriented duties, you are expected to assist in the teaching of one course per semester for most of the employment duration, as well as occasional bachelor or master thesis supervision. What We Ask Of You Do not describe the candidate in terms of characteristics, but behaviour (you are resistant to stress, when it gets busy you keep your cool). List the "hard" requirements - education level, experience - separately in the list below. Use terms that are easy to identify with, also for those who are self-critical. Keep the bullet list below as short as possible with regard to the kind of position to not scare off self-critical candidates. Your experience and profile: Mathematical maturity on the level of a master's degree in mathematics; a master's degree in mathematics (or closely related discipline) is a requirement by the start of the position; strong communication and collaboration skills; enthusiasm for topics in probabilistic and extremal combinatorics (prior experience in these topics is not required but advantageous); prior experience in independent mathematical research, for example through a university thesis project or summer internship; fluency in English (no knowledge of Dutch is needed). A familiarity with programming or mathematical computational software is a plus. This Is What We Offer You A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students. The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,204 to € 4,051 (scale P) .This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD profile and level is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable. Your place at the UvA You will work in this team The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain. The The Korteweg-de Vries Instituut voor Wiskunde KdV Institute) is the mathematical research institute of the Faculty of Science of the Universiteit van Amsterdam. The KdV Institute offers a stimulating scientific environment in which research focuses mainly within the research programmes (1) Algebra, Geometry and Mathematical Physics, (2) Pure, Applied and Numerical Analysis, and (3) Stochastics and (4) Discrete Mathematics and Quantum Information. It also provides the lecturers and instructors for the mathematics teaching within the Science Faculty. The KdV Institute participates in the NWO research clusters GQT, STAR, NDNS+ and DIAMANT and in the Gravity programme NETWORKS. There is formal (and informal) cooperation with the Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), the VU University, and with Eurandom in Eindhoven. KdVI counts about 40 staff members and 50 postdocs and PhD students. Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam. About The Faculty Of Science Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, whether it concerns elementary particles, the birth of the universe, or how the brain functions. The Faculty has a student population of approximately 8,000 students, as well as 1,800 staff members working in education, research, or support services. Important to know Your application & contact If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including enter date. If you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact: Dr. Ross Kang [email protected] Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file): a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience; a letter of motivation (optional); detailed, itemised transcripts; the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation. A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure. (for details: national knowledge security guidelines) Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion As an employer, the UvA maintains an equal opportunities policy. We value diversity and are fully committed to being a place where everyone feels at home. We nurture inquisitive minds and perseverance and allow room for persistent questioning. With us, curiosity and creativity are the prevailing culture. Studies show that women and members of underrepresented groups only apply for jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Do you meet the educational requirements but not yet all of the requested experience? The UvA encourages you to apply anyway.

Core Responsibilities

Conduct independent research in probabilistic and extremal combinatorics, formulating and solving combinatorial challenges related to the Combinatorial Condensation programme and phase transitions. Collaborate with the project team, assist with teaching one course per semester for most of the appointment, and occasionally supervise undergraduate or master's theses.

Requirements

A master's degree in mathematics or a closely related discipline is required by the start of the position, along with mathematical maturity at master's level and experience in independent mathematical research. Applicants should communicate and collaborate effectively, be enthusiastic about probabilistic and extremal combinatorics, and be fluent in English; prior topic experience and familiarity with programming or mathematical computing software are advantageous but not required.

Benefits

• Holiday Allowance
• Year-End Bonus
• Pension
• Vacation Leave
• Parental Leave
• Partner Leave
• Social Engagement Leave
• Training Courses
• Travel Allowances
• Potential 30% Tax Ruling