PhD position in collective dynamics on networks

The Department of Mathematics of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam welcomes applications for a fully-funded, 4-year PhD position in collective dynamics on networks within the Amsterdam Center for Dynamics and Computation. We are an inclusive, interdisciplinary group, and diversity and internationalism is at the heart of our research principles, as well as our teaching practice.

As a PhD student in our group, you will develop new mathematical methods to understand and predict collective motion in active oscillator networks, with the aim of finding new control strategies and design principles for active and intelligent materials. You will collaborate with Christian Bick (VU), Bob Rink (VU), Corentin Coulais (UvA), Marjolein Dijkstra (UU) and Krystal Guo (UvA).

This project is part of the consortium Emergence at all Scales (EAAS) funded by the Dutch science foundation NWO. If selected for this position, you are expected to participate in the various scientific activities, meetings and workshops of the EAAS consortium, to form interdisciplinary collaborations across fields and geographical locations within the Netherlands, and to acquire skills by active participation in science communication activities, interacting with public audiences and taking part in a pilot program where experience can be acquired in high school science teaching.

The preferred starting date is 01.09.2025 but an earlier or later starting date can be discussed.

Applications from all groups currently under-represented in academic posts are especially encouraged. We particularly welcome applications from women and people with an ethnic minority background.

Your duties

• doing research towards writing a PhD thesis
• teaching tasks (roughly 15% of your time), for instance supervising exercise classes for university students, and assisting high school teachers

Requirements:

• a (prospective) MSc. degree in Mathematics or Physics (or an equivalent thereof)
• a keen interest to become an independent researcher
• willingness to participate in science communication activities and/or high school teaching
• good communication skills in English

Salary Benefits:

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €2901 (at the start) and a maximum €3707 (in the fourth year). The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 0.8-1.0 FTE.

The employment contract will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial employment contract, it will be extended for a further 3 years. Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• good paid parental leave scheme

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