Interacting random particle systems have been successfully used in various areas to describe phenomena such as phase transitions, e.g. macroscopic change by specifying their microscopic interaction when tuning a parameter. Think of the transition between ice and water when heating up the system. Key objects are Gibbs measures, which describe macroscopic equilibrium states of large systems of many interacting objects. In case that the interaction is of finite range, the geometry of the set of Gibbs measures and most of its properties are well understood. Many interesting physical systems have interactions which decay polynomially or are of Coulomb or van der Waals-type. In this context, natural questions are still open.

In this PhD project you will investigate the geometry of the simplex of Gibbs measures with nonlocal interactions, in particular effective interface models and their scaling limits. The research work is theoretical and lies in the intersection of the area of theoretical probability, analysis and mathematical physics.

As a PhD student your task is to:  

• study relevant literature and learn the necessary mathematical techniques in order to tackle the problems mentioned above;
• present results on scientific conferences;
• attend research seminars, local at Utrecht University and the national Mark Kac seminar;
• publish articles in renowned scientific journals;
• participate in the activities of the project team involving PhD students and postdocs;
• do modest teaching duties at UU.

For more information about the research interests of the supervisors please visit their profile page on our website. 

We are looking for a candidate that brings the following:

• a Master’s degree in mathematics;
• excellent English language and communication skills;
• some knowledge in physics or affinity to physics is desirable.

• A position for 4 years;
• A full-time gross salary starting from €2,770 in the first year and increasing to €3,539 in the fourth year (scale P);
• 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• A pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities.

In addition to the employment conditions from the CAO for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. These include agreements on professional development, leave arrangements, sports and cultural schemes. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment through the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we encourage you to grow.

For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

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