The vacancies are within the research consortium POEMA (Polynomial Optimization, Efficiency through Moments and Algebra).

POEMA is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (2019-2022), which offers 15 PhD positions within the full consortium, including two at CWI. Its goal is to train scientists at the interplay of algebra, geometry and computer science for polynomial optimization problems and to foster scientific and technological advances, stimulating interdisciplinary and intersectoriality knowledge exchange between algebraists, geometers, computer scientists and industrial actors facing real-life optimization problems.

The proposed PhD projects are investigating the development of new algebraic and geometric methods combined with computer algebra techniques for global non-linear optimization problems and their applications.

The PhD positions at CWI will focus on polynomial optimization problems with applications to combinatorial optimization and quantum information theory. Detailed description of these projects can be found at this page and, for general information about the consortium, see the POEMA webpage.

The POEMA consortium consists of eleven network partners:

• Inria, Sophia Antipolis, France, (Bernard Mourrain)
• CNRS, LAAS, Toulouse France (Didier Henrion)
• Sorbonne Université, Paris, France (Mohab Safey el Din)
• NWO-I/CWI, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Monique Laurent)
• Univ. Tilburg, the Netherlands (Etienne de Klerk)
• Univ. Konstanz, Germany (Markus Schweighofer)
• Univ. degli Studi di Firenze, Italy (Giorgio Ottaviani)
• Univ. of Birmingham, UK (Mikal Kocvara)
• Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet Erlangen, Germany (Michael Stingl)
• Univ. of Tromsoe, Norway (Cordian Riener)
• Artelys SA, Paris, France (Arnaud Renaud)

and three associate partners:

• IBM Research, Ireland (Martin Mevissen)
• NAG, UK (Mike Dewar)
• RTE, France (Jean Maeght)

Submission guidelines:

To be eligible for a PhD position at CWI within the POEMA consortium, the applicant should fulfill the following conditions:

• Have — at the date of recruitment — a Master’s degree, preferably in Mathematics (or Computer Science or Engineering, assuming an excellent mathematical curriculum). • Have — at the date of recruitment — less than 4 years of a research career, and not have a doctoral degree. The 4 years are measured from the date when the applicant obtained the degree which would formally entitle him/her to embark on a PhD, either in the country where the degree was obtained or in the country where the PhD is provided.
• Trans-national mobility: The applicant — at the date of recruitment — should not have resided in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment, and not have carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in that country. For refugees under the Geneva Convention (1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol), the refugee procedure (i.e. before refugee status is conferred) will not be counted as ‘period of residence/activity in the country of the beneficiary’.
• Be able to communicate fluently in English (speaking and writing).

The terms of employment are in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres ("CAO-onderzoeksinstellingen").

The PhD student will be formally employed by CWI with a full social security coverage, and s/he will have all the benefits provided for in the Marie Curie ITN fellowships regulations, including a highly competitive remuneration, living allowances and mobility expenses.

The initial labour agreement will be for a period of 18 months. After a positive evaluation, the agreement will extended by 18 months.

Further details about the employment conditions can be found at https://easychair.org/cfp/POEMA-19-22.

Please visit our website for more information about our terms of employment: https://www.cwi.nl/jobs/terms-of-employment.

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI)

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) is the Dutch national research institute for mathematics and computer science and is part of the Institutes Organisation of 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. The facilities are first-rate and include excellent IT support, career planning, training, and courses.

CWI is located at Science Park Amsterdam that is presently developing into a major location of research in the natural sciences in The Netherlands, housing the sciences of the University of Amsterdam and of the Vrije Universiteit as well as several other national research institutes next to CWI.

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

Networks and Optimization research group

For more information about the Networks and Optimization research group please see our webpage.