Summary
The Statistics Research Group at the University of Twente is offering a fully funded, 4-year PhD position funded by an NWO M1 Open Competition grant. This project focuses on developing a new mathematical framework for extremal structural causal models on directed acyclic graphs to model multivariate systems during extreme events (e.g., floods, financial crashes, heatwaves).
PhD in Extreme Value Statistics at University of Twente, Netherlands
Key Information Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Position Type | Fully Funded PhD Candidate (4-year contract) |
| Host Institution | University of Twente |
| Faculty / Department | Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) / Department of Applied Mathematics |
| Monthly Salary | €3,059 (Year 1) to €3,881 (Year 4) gross/month |
| Additional Benefits | 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel funding, hybrid work option |
| Starting Date | Between October 2026 and early Spring 2027 |
| Application Deadline | September 6, 2026 (before September 7, 2026) |
Subject Area
- Mathematics & Statistics: Extreme Value Theory, Structural Causal Models, Graphical Models, Probability Theory, and Statistical Methodology.
Location
- Institution: University of Twente
- City / Country: Enschede, Overijssel, The Netherlands
Eligibility Criteria
- Academic Background: A completed Master’s degree (or shortly to be acquired) in (applied) mathematics, statistics, or a closely related field with a strong theoretical mathematical foundation in probability theory and mathematical statistics.
- Programming Skills: Good scientific programming capabilities in languages such as R, Python, C++, or Julia.
- Language Proficiency: Proficient in written and spoken English.
- Research Mindset: Enthusiasm for mathematical statistics, causal inference, and extreme value theory, with an interest in developing an academic research profile.
Scholarship & Position Description
- Project Goals: Develop a generalized framework for extremal structural causal models on arbitrary directed acyclic graphs to permit modeling when only parts of a system experience extremes, study parametric families like the Hüsler–Reiss distribution, and design scalable structure learning methods.
- Supervision: Primarily supervised by Dr. Frank Röttger within the Statistics research group.
- Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct PhD-level theoretical and methodological research.
- Publish findings in leading journals and present at international conferences/workshops.
- Participate in international research visits and collaborations.
- Undertake limited teaching responsibilities (maximum 10% of total time).
- Funding & Benefits: Full employment under the CAO-NU (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities), complete social security and pension scheme, 232+ leave hours per year, campus sports facility access, and parental leave options.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through the University of Twente Vacancy Portal.
Required Documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detail your academic background, list of all courses taken with grades obtained, and any publications/references.
- Cover Letter: Maximum of 2 pages (A4) highlighting your specific motivation, relevant qualifications, and research interests.
- References: Contact details of two academic references.
Note: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and interviews may be arranged before the formal closing date.
Last Date to Apply
- September 6, 2026 (Before September 7, 2026)
