In the Combinatorial Optimization group at Eindhoven University ofîechnology (The Netherlands), there is a vacancy for a 4 year PhD-position within the NWO Vidi project "Finding network structure beyond the spectrum: new frontiers and new methods". This PhD position is supervised by Aida Abiad (https://aidaabiad.win.tue.nl/).

The preferring starting date is September 2023.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project seeks to deduce structural properties of a graph from the graph spectrum. Properties such as connectedness, diameter and regularity, are known to be related to the spectrum of a graph. Nevertheless, for most relevant graph structures the problem remains open, and the existing spectral tools are not sufficient, indicating that genuinely new methods are needed. In this project we will tackle this challenge by strengthening and unifying spectral methods and combining them with tools from other fields like combinatorial optimization, finite geometry and group theory.


The successful candidate for this PhD position will work under the supervision of Aida Abiad in the group Combinatorial Optimization (https://www.tue.nl/en/) of the department of Mathematics and Computer Science of TU/e. Your responsibilities include to perform scientific research on the topic of the above-mentioned project and to publish your results at international conferences and in international journals. For a small percentage of your time, you will be asked to assist with educational tasks (course support and supervision of students).

• You have a bachelor and master degree in Mathematics.
• You have a strong background in Graph Theory and/or Combinatorics.
• You are enthusiastic about programming, preferably in Sage/Python.
• You have good communication skills.
• You are creative, ambitious, as well as self-motivated, proactive, and goal-oriented.
• You have a good command of the English language (knowledge of Dutch is not required).

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.