You will, as PhD candidate, carry out independent, curiosity-driven research in the mathematical field of (probabilistic/extremal) combinatorics. The main research objective is to both formulate and resolve combinatorial challenges in line with the “Combinatorial Condensation” programme coordinated by the PI and the co-PI. This has qualitative links with structural graph theory, discrete probability, and algorithms.

You won’t work in isolation. In addition to cooperation with the PI and co-PI, you will work directly with the postdoc at TU Delft. You will become embedded in the DMQI group at the KdVI, and benefit from the international research networks of the PI and the co-PI.  The project includes the necessary allowances for occasional travel to Delft, as well as for (inter)national meetings, travel and guests.

Alongside the main research-oriented duties, you are expected to assist in the teaching of one course per semester for most of the employment duration, as well as occasional bachelor or master thesis supervision.

Do not describe the candidate in terms of characteristics, but behaviour (you are resistant to stress, when it gets busy you keep your cool). List the "hard" requirements - education level, experience - separately in the list below. Use terms that are easy to identify with, also for those who are self-critical. Keep the bullet list below as short as possible with regard to the kind of position to not scare off self-critical candidates.

Your experience and profile:

• Mathematical maturity on the level of a master's degree in mathematics; a master's degree in mathematics (or closely related discipline) is a requirement by the start of the position;
• strong communication and collaboration skills;
• enthusiasm for topics in probabilistic and extremal combinatorics (prior experience in these topics is not required but advantageous);
• prior experience in independent mathematical research, for example through a university thesis project or summer internship;
• fluency in English (no knowledge of Dutch is needed).

A familiarity with programming or mathematical computational software is a plus.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,204 to € 4,051 (scale P) .This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile PhD profile and level is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.