PhD candidate in Mathematical Optimization

This PhD position is one of 13 positions in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network ALMOA (“Advances in Large-scale, Multilevel and Hierarchical Optimisation for Challenging Applications”). The specific project at Tilburg University is called Exploring the synergy between optimisation hierarchies and approximation kernels and will be supervised by Professor Etienne de Klerk in the Department of Econometrics and Operations Research. The project will include secondments at the University of Cologne (6 months), and at the optimization software company MOSEK (1 month) in Copenhagen. At the University of Cologne, the secondment will be supervised by Professor Frank Vallentin.

The CentER graduate school

A PhD dissertation at CentER requires the design and execution of 3 studies. Research typically involves conceptualizing research questions and ideas, quantitatively analyzing data, and writing and presenting academic papers. The aim is to publish those projects in high-quality academic journals. Upon successful completion of your courses and your research work, as demonstrated by a submitted and approved PhD dissertation and the subsequent defense, you will be awarded a doctoral degree by Tilburg University.

You will be enrolled as a PhD candidate in the world-class PhD program of CentER Graduate School of Business, where you will receive extensive training in theory and methods by taking PhD-level courses. The course load amounts to 36 ECTS, equivalent to 6 full courses. The course program will consist of HEPARD core and elective courses, and CentER courses, and will be composed in consultation with your supervisor and PhD program coordinator. Part of the training can be adapted to the previous educational achievements of the PhD candidate by mutual agreement with the supervisors.

80% of the position’s time will be dedicated to the completion of your PhD research, and 20% to the acquisition of academic skills through teaching courses and supervising master/bachelor theses within the department.

• An academic Master's or MPhil/Research Master’s degree in Operations Research, (Applied) Mathematics, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline. A strong background in Mathematical Optimization and/or Numerical Analysis is desirable.
• Completed the previous degree with an excellent GPA (top 10% of class as a guideline)
• Proficiency in English to be proven by means of an IELTS score of at least 7.0, with no sub scores below 6.5, a TOEFL score of at least 100 (internet-based) or 600 (paper-based), a Cambridge CAE (at least B), or a Cambridge CPE. Exemptions can be provided upon request to native English speakers or to candidates who have obtained their bachelor's and master's degree in English in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia, or New Zealand.
• Mobility rule: the candidate must not have resided or carried out a main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to your recruitment.

Our offer

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment. Our offer includes:

• A position based on 1,0 fte (40 hours per week)
• A salary of €3,059 gross per month in the first year, up to €3,881 gross per month in the fourth year for full-time employment, based on UFO profile Promovendus and salary scale P. 
• This is a vacancy for a temporary position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 8 under b of the CLA DU. You will initially receive a temporary contract for the duration of 18 months to assess your suitability. The evaluation will take place after about 14 months. If suitable, this contract will be followed by a new fixed-term contract of 30 months. (N.B. program is 4 years, full-time).
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.
• The opportunity to work partly on campus and partly from home with a home office allowance of €2 per day.
• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transportation.
• A monthly internet fee of €25.
• An Options Model in which you exchange benefits for things such as additional leave, more pension, a bicycle, or personal training at our Sports Center.
• A moving allowance (subject to conditions).
• Employees from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for the 30/20/10% tax facility.
• A pension with ABP; the most sustainable Dutch pension fund.
• Training in personal development, career development, leadership, education, and research, or a language course at our Language Center.
• A work culture in which we embrace differences, everyone is welcome, and given equal opportunities.
• A vibrant campus in green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport.

For more information, see our website and the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities.

Tilburg University is an academic, inclusive, and engaged community. Together with nearly 3,000 employees, we are committed to broad prosperity, sustainability, and inclusion for current and future generations. We develop and share knowledge to meet the needs of people and our society. This is how we contribute to solving complex social issues and help society move forward.

We educate our 19,500 students of 110 nationalities to become responsible leaders with knowledge, skills, and character. With our education and research for broad prosperity, we place particular emphasis on themes such as mental and preventive care, an inclusive labor market, the energy transition, and digitalization.

About TiSEM

Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM) is one of Europe's leading centers for research in business and economics, with research rankings consistently among Europe's top 10 across various business and economics domains. In addition to the strong research focus and collegial research climate, it offers a wide variety of educational programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with about 7,000 students enrolled. The School is well connected to both policymakers and industry in the region and internationally, providing ample opportunities to create impact through research.

About the department 

The Department of Econometrics and Operations Research offers an internationally oriented and lively research environment aiming for top quality with approximately 45 staff members and 35 PhD students. Most researchers have a strong quantitative background in mathematics and statistics and have achieved international recognition in key areas of business and economics, such as operations research, quantitative finance, actuarial science, econometrics, mathematical economics, and game theory.

Applications received before May 4, 2026 will be given full priority and reviewed throughout May. However, we may accept later applications until all positions are filled.

Please submit your application at https://conference3.aau.at/event/274/registrations/274/

Please include the following documents (if available):

1. Letter of motivation outlining your interest in the position and your relevant experience.
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Official copy of your university degree and grades (full transcripts of BSc and MSc). Please combine these transcripts into one pdf file and upload it under Transcript of the Master studies’ grades.
4. A PDF copy of your Master's thesis or other research-oriented output (such as a Bachelor's thesis or a term paper). If you are currently working on your Master's thesis, feel free to submit your thesis draft.
5. Proof of proficiency in English, or a request for exemption. (Simply include this information in your CV – we will ask for the necessary documents later if needed.)
6. If available, a recent GRE or GMAT score.  (Just add this information to your CV – we will ask for the necessary documents later if needed.)
7. In the online application form, please indicate which projects you are interested in, and include the Tilburg University project DC 8 – Exploring the synergy between optimisation hierarchies and approximation kernels