PhD Position in Algebraic Topology

We are excited to offer a four-year PhD position at the Utrecht University topology group, one of the largest and most active in Europe. The position is part of the grant ‘Symmetry on the interface of topology and higher algebra’ joint with the VU Amsterdam and the RU Nijmegen. Lennart Meier is the main supervisor and Inbar Klang and Renee Hoekzema from the VU Amsterdam will be additional mentors/contact persons for this PhD position.

Your job
In this PhD position you focus on learning new math, actively engaging with research questions, and working on papers, all with the ultimate goal of completing your PhD thesis. In these endeavors, you are supported by your supervisor, your additional mentors and other members of our large and lively topology group (of currently thirteen members). Besides working on your own research, you will actively contribute to our topology group by giving talks, organising seminars, and engaging with the other members of the group. The position comes with some teaching responsibilities, consisting mostly of work as a Teaching Assistant, with the possibility to lead a student seminar.

The envisioned starting time is September 2025, though there is some flexibility to accommodate individual circumstances.

By the time of starting in Utrecht (preferably September 2025), you will have obtained a Master's degree in mathematics. You have a strong interest in algebraic topology and homotopy theory with a solid background in these areas or related fields. You are proficient in academic English.

• A position for four years;
• a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

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The Mathematical Institute is part of the department of Mathematics. It organises and teaches the Bachelor's curricula in Mathematics as well as the (English-taught) Master's programme in Mathematics and some service teaching in mathematics. The Institute is internationally recognised for its research in both pure and applied mathematics. It houses the Utrecht Geometry Centre and maintains a long-standing tradition of transdisciplinary collaboration with other scientific fields including, among others, atmosphere/ocean sciences, computational life sciences, mathematical biology, mathematical economics, medical and seismic imaging, theoretical computer science, and theoretical physics. We participate in university focus areas in Complex Systems and Applied Data Science.

You will join the Topology group. We are a large and active group, led by Gijs Heuts, Lennart Meier and Ieke Moerdijk, and have close ties to neighbouring universities as well. We have almost constantly several seminars running, for example now a joint research seminar with Amsterdam and Nijmegen and two learning seminars, one on trace methods and one on factorisation homology. Additionally, we have a lot of informal exchange in group meetings, mentorship meetings and collaborations. Our research covers many areas of homotopy theory. Themes of special importance are the use of higher categories and operads, particularly in applications to chromatic, equivariant and unstable homotopy theory.

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

If you are enthusiastic about this position, just apply via the 'apply now' button. Please enclose:

• your cover letter, including a short statement of motivation why you want to come to Utrecht and the names and email addresses of two referees;
• your curriculum vitae;
• a transcript of your Master's degree grades (optionally, also for your Bachelor’s degree);
• a short summary of your (prospective) Master's thesis (no more than a page).

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

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