PhD student on the subject “Tensor modEliNg, geOmetRy and optimiSation” (TENORS)

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) has a vacancy in the Network and Optimization research group for a talented

PhD student

in the research project “Tensor modEliNg, geOmetRy and optimiSation” (TENORS).

The job is a full-time PhD position in the field of mathematical optimization. The research will be carried out in the context of the HORIZON-MSCA-2023/ Doctoral Network/Joint Doctorate Network TENORS . The TENORS consortium consists of eleven academic and industrial partners and ten associate partners, located in eight European countries. It offers in total 15 PhD positions, including one position at CWI.  The goal of the TENORS network is to train these 15 young researchers at the interplay of algebra, geometry, optimization, scientific computation and software development, aiming to address critical challenges in the field of tensor computation and their applications.

The PhD position available at CWI aims to investigate questions related to tensors arising in quantum information, in particular, how to detect quantum entanglement, links to approximation hierarchies based on sums of squares methods and relevant matrix cones. Details about the project can be found at
Approximation hierarchies for quantum entanglement detection .

The doctoral candidate will be a member of the Network and Optimization group, with the opportunity to collaborate with other CWI research groups, with QuSoft, the Dutch research center for quantum software, and with researchers at Tilburg University, associate partner of TENORS.

Candidates are required to have a Master’s degree in (applied) mathematics (or a related discipline) and a solid background in optimization, algebra, and discrete mathematics. Preferable qualifications for candidates are some knowledge of quantum information, software development skills and interest in the computational aspects of mathematical optimization. Candidates are expected to have excellent grades, research talent (as proven by their Master’s thesis), an excellent command of English, together with good academic writing and presentation skills. For residents outside the EER-area, a TOEFL English language test may be required.

Terms and conditions for the PhD Student
The appointment is full-time, fixed term for three years. There are strict eligibility rules associated with the recruitment of PhD researchers in Marie Skłodowska-Curie Training Networks:

Career: At the date of recruitment, the applicant must hold a Master’s degree. In addition, s/he should not have been awarded a doctoral degree and must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of his/her research career (after having obtained the Master’s degree).

Trans-national mobility: At the date of recruitment, the applicant should not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment.

Secondments: The candidate will have a ten-months secondment at LAAS-CNRS Toulouse in France and a two-months secondment at Quantinuum in UK.

The terms of employment are in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres ("CAO-onderzoeksinstellingen"). The initial labour agreement will be for a period of 18 months. After a positive evaluation, the agreement will be extended by 30 months. The gross monthly salary, for a PhD student on a full time basis, is € 2,781 during the first year and increases to €3,562 over the four year period. Employees are also entitled to a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.33%. CWI offers attractive working conditions, including flexible scheduling and help with housing for expat employees.

Please visit our websites for more information about our terms of employment:
https://www.cwi.nl/jobs/terms-of-employment  and
https://www.nwo-i.nl/en/working-at-nwo-i/jobsatnwoi/ ​​​​​

For details on how to apply please see the TENORS recruiting page .

As explained there, please upload all the required application documents before 31 March 2024 online via https://easychair.org/my/conference?conf=tenors2427

The planned starting date is September/October 2024 (in any case no later than January 1st , 2025).

For more information about the vacancy, please contact Prof. Monique Laurent, email [email protected] .

For more information about CWI, please visit www.cwi.nl or watch our video about working at CWI

CWI encourages a diverse workforce: we endeavour to develop talent and creativity by bringing people from different backgrounds and cultures together. We recruit and select based on capabilities and talent. We strongly encourage everyone with the appropriate qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical abilities.

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) is the Dutch national research institute for mathematics and computer science and is part of the Institutes Organisation of the Dutch Research Council (NWO) . The mission of CWI is to conduct pioneering research in mathematics and computer science, generating new knowledge in these fields and conveying it to trade, industry, and society at large.

CWI is an internationally oriented institute, with 160 scientists from approximately 27 countries, an informal atmosphere and short lines of communication. We have an activity committee that organizes after-work activities and an informal women’s network.  

CWI is located at Science Park Amsterdam, the home of AMS-IX, that is presently developing into a major location of research in the physical sciences in The Netherlands, housing the sciences of the University of Amsterdam as well as several other national research institutes next to CWI.

For more information about the Networks and Optimization research group at CWI, please visit our website at https://www.cwi.nl/research/groups/networks-and-optimization