In this multidisciplinary project of Mathematics of Computational Science (MACS) and the Complex Photonic Systems (COPS), the focus will be on the development of novel discontinuous Galerkin methods for the Maxwell equations to study the absorption of light in photovoltaic cells. This will require both the development of efficient numerical discretizations and solvers, their implementation in highly efficient parallel solvers, and the modelling of the absorption of light in complex nanophotonic media. The absorption of light is modelled by considering absorption as a sequence of scattering events and wave interference. Our approach shows that energy in (disordered) media is transported via channels, which are computed using a singular value decomposition of the transfer and scattering matrices that are computed using a discontinuous Galerkin finite element method for the time-­‐harmonic Maxwell equations.

The main research topics are:

I.) The development, analysis and implementation of an efficient higher order accurate discontinuous Galerkin finite element method and multigrid techniques to solve the time-harmonic Maxwell equations discretized.

2.) To compute channels using a singular value decomposition (SVD) and to use these results to study the absorption of light in thin photovoltaic cells.

The research program is funded by and part of the Shell-NWO Computational Science for Energy Research Programme.

• You hold a masters degree in Applied Mathematics or Applied Physics;
• You have excellent skills and practical experience in one or more of the following research areas: computational mathematics or computational physics, in particular finite element methods for partial differential equations;
• You possess experience at the intersections of the above mentioned areas;
• You are fluent in English.

Supervisors/host groups

Prof. dr. ir. Jaap van der Vegt (project leader), Mathematics of Computational Science (MACS), MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P. O. Box 217, 7500 AE, Enschede, The Netherlands. https://www.utwente.nl/en/eemcs/sacs/

Prof. dr. Willem Vos, Complex Photonics Systems (COPS), MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands. cops.nano-cops.com/

Applicants are invited to send a motivation letter, detailed CV (incl. courses, grades, previous work, publications) and contact info of at least two references (including email addresses and phone numbers) to Prof. Jaap van der Vegt (j.j.w.vandervegt@utwente.nl).

You will be appointed at NWO-1 in Utrecht and get the status of junior scientist. You will have an employee status and can participate in all the employee benefits NWO-I offers. You will get a contract for four years. You are supposed to have a thesis finished at the end of your four year term with NWO-I.

A training programme is part of the agreement. You and your supervisor will make up a plan for the additional education and supervising that you specifically need. This plan also defines which teaching activities you will be responsible (up to a maximum of ten percent of your time). The conditions of employment of NWO-I are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres https://www.nwo-i.nl/en/personnel/employment-regulations/ (Cao-Onderzoekinstellingen), more exclusive information is available at this website under Personeelsinformatie (in Dutch) or under Personnel (in English). General information about working at NWO-I can be found in the English part of this website under Personnel. The 'Job interview code'applies to this position.

We offer a very challenging fulltime position for four years in an inspiring multidisciplinary and international environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalization is a meaningful part of the strategic agenda.

• A salary to a maximum of € 2,843 gross per month;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

Applications (including curriculum vitae and two names of potential references) can be submitted online https://www.nwo-i.nl/vacature/phd-position-university-of-twente-discontinuous-galerkin-methods-for-the-maxwell-equations before the 15th of April, 2018.

The University of Twente. We stand for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.

The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) comprises three disciplines that shape Information and Communication Technology. ICT is more than communication. In almost every product we use mathematics, electronics and computer technology and ICT now contributes to all of societies' activities. The faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. The research which enjoys a high profile both at home and internationally, has been accommodated in the multidisciplinary research institutes MESA+, CTIT and MIRA.