PhD Position: Calculus of Variations

1. Introduction

Are you motivated and enthusiastic about being trained in mathematical research?
This is the opportunity for you!

2. Job description

This PhD position will allow you to learn cutting-edge techniques in the calculus of variations to study problems in materials science, particularly on the self-assembly of polymers. The goal of this project is to provide a sound understanding of the mechanisms that regulate pattern formation in such complex systems by using rigorous mathematical tools. The project is funded by one of the 21 projects in the open science competition assigned by the Dutch Research Council, and will be supervised by Riccardo Cristoferi.

You will deepen your knowledge in the calculus of variations by working on cutting-edge projects in materials science, particularly on the self-assembly in polymers. You will contribute to the activities of the department, and of the national and international network of researchers working in the calculus of variations.

The position includes funding for travelling to international conferences and visiting collaborators worldwide.

Your teaching duties are restricted to 10% of the usual teaching load. This translates into having to serve as a teaching assistant for Bachelor’s and Master’s degree courses during the first three years, leaving the last one free from teaching. This is a good opportunity for you to get teaching experience.

Would you like to learn more about what it’s like to pursue a PhD at Radboud University? Visit the page about working as a PhD candidate.

3. Profile

• You are motivated, enthusiastic, proactive, and willing to learn (and struggle).
• You hold a Master's degree in Mathematics, or are on track to obtain one around the starting date of the project.
• You took classes in Analysis, Calculus of Variation, Functional Analysis, and Measure Theory.
• You have good written and oral communication skills.
• You are able to work in a team as well as independently.

4. We are

The Department of Mathematics at Radboud University is part of IMAPP, the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics of the Faculty of Science. Several activities are jointly organised  with all the other departments in the Institute to foster interdisciplinary interaction.

The Department of Mathematics represents a broad range of areas, including pure and applied analysis, numerical analysis, applied stochastics, mathematical physics, algebraic geometry, algebraic topology, noncommutative geometry, and number theory.

Take a look here for more about the Department’s research.  

The Department has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. It employs the right balance of senior and young staff, as well as of Dutch and international researchers, and, each year, it hosts various research seminars and informal events. The Department has approximately 25 PhD candidates, who regularly organise academic activities (PhD colloquium, reading groups) and social events together.

PhD candidates at Radboud University are given plenty of opportunities for continuous development, and strong support, both during their PhDs and afterwards (to find a job in academia or industry). See here for more information.
Moreover, the PhD Organisation of Nijmegen organises educational and social activities, focusing on the well-being of PhD candidates.

Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands and students form a large part of its population: old city, young vibe. In a recent article, the BBC called Nijmegen ‘the progressive city that few know’. The city was awarded the title of European Green Capital  in 2018. Nijmegen offers plenty of events during the year (e.g. the InScience Film Festival, the 4Days Marches, concerts and art events). The rural areas surrounding Nijmegen offer various opportunities for outdoor recreation. The city also has the advantage of being close to international airports (Schiphol, Eindhoven).

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (0.8 FTE 5- year contract - 1.0 FTE 4- year contract) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract) or 3.5 years (5-year contract).
• You will receive a starting salary of €2,901 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,707 from the fourth year onwards (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• We offer Dual Career Coaching. The Dual Career Coaching assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. 
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Riccardo Cristoferi. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The interviews will take place on Thursday 12 June. You will preferably start your employment on 1 September 2025.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information.