PhD position in Applied Mathematics – Data-Driven Model Reduction of Free-Surfac

We have a vacancy for a 4-year PhD student in Applied Mathematics within the project “HiWAVE - Natural hazard prediction with adaptive hierarchical wave models”, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) via the talent programme Vidi in the group of Assistant Professor Dr. Julian Koellermeier.



HiWAVE predicts free-surface waves by developing new data-driven hierarchical models. The main novelty is to represent vertically varying velocity profiles using an extended set of equations, resulting in so-called moment models. The whole project covers model derivation, model reduction, and numerical simulations.



In collaboration with the rest of the PI's group (4 PhD's + 1 Postdoc + undergrad students) at the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, the PhD student is in charge of data-driven model reduction. This includes three parts: (1) heuristic approaches (symbolic regression), (2) non-intrusive data-driven approaches (Proper Orthogonal Decomposition, neural networks), (3) intrusive approaches (dynamical low-rank approximation).



One outcome of this 4-year position is the production of research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, which together will form the basis of a thesis leading to a PhD degree (Dr) at the University of Groningen. It is envisioned to set up an international collaboration with Ghent University, Belgium, and other collaborators with possibilities of significant time spent on other locations.



Organisation

Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen enjoys an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative institution of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Flexible study programmes and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 34,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. As one of the best research universities in Europe, the University of Groningen has joined forces with other top universities and networks worldwide to become a truly global centre of knowledge.



Within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, this 4-year PhD position is available at the Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence with the topic “Derivation and Analysis of Free-Surface Flow Models”. The candidate would become a member of the Computational & Numerical Mathematics group of the Mathematics Department and will work under the supervision of Dr Julian Koellermeier.

Requirements:

- We are searching for an excellent and motivated candidate holding a recent master’s degree in Applied Mathematics, Computer/Data Science, Physics or equivalent.

- A solid background in PDEs and data science (e.g., model order reduction, POD, autoencoders, neural networks, low-rank methods) is necessary.

- Good knowledge of fluid dynamics and free-surface flows is required.

- Candidates should have experience with scientific programming and writing (e.g., using python, MATLAB, C++, Git, Latex).

- Very good communication and writing skills in English are needed.

- Experience or interest in international collaboration is a plus.

Salary Benefits:

We offer you, following the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities



- A salary of € 2,901 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of € 3,707 gross per month in the fourth and final year for a full-time working week.

- A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income and an 8.3% year-end bonus.

- Teaching: employed PhD candidates are expected to spend 10% of their working hours on teaching and/or supervising students.

- A full-time position (1.0 FTE). The successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected. A PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of Science and Engineering.

38 hours per week

Broerstraat 5