Summary
The University of Twente is offering a fully funded 4-year PhD position to develop a new mathematical framework for efficiently modelling multivariate systems during extreme events (such as floods, heatwaves, or financial crashes). Funded by an M1 Open Competition grant from the Dutch research council (NWO), the project focuses on extremal structural causal models on arbitrary directed acyclic graphs. The role offers a blend of theoretical research, implementation of new statistical methodology, and opportunities for international research stays.
Designation
PhD Candidate
Key Details At A Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Institution | University of Twente |
| Department | Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS), Statistics Group |
| Hours per Week | 40 hours |
| Salary (Gross/Monthly) | € 3,059 (1st year) to € 3,881 (4th year) |
| Position Type | Full-time |
| Primary Supervisor | Dr. Frank Röttger |
Export to Sheets
Research Area
Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Graphical Models, Extreme Value Theory, and Causal Inference.
Location
University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands.
Eligibility/Qualification
- You have, or will shortly acquire, a master’s degree in (applied) mathematics, statistics, or a related field with a strong theoretical mathematical component (including probability theory and mathematical statistics).
- You have an enthusiasm for the project topic (which is valued more than your specific choice of master’s specialization).
- You possess good scientific programming skills (e.g., in R, Python, C++, Julia).
- You have a strong proficiency in the English language.
- You enjoy participating in scientific discussions and are keen to develop your academic profile in mathematical statistics.
Job Description
As a PhD candidate, your primary tasks and responsibilities will include:
- Performing daily PhD-level research under the supervision of Dr. Frank Röttger.
- Developing scalable structure learning methods, including latent variable identification, and demonstrating their effectiveness on real data.
- Publishing your research results in leading journals and conference proceedings, and presenting them at national and international workshops and conferences.
- Contributing to teaching activities related to your work (accounting for at most 10% of your time).
- Actively participating in group seminars and scientific discussions, contributing to a positive and dynamic group atmosphere.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply online via the ‘Apply Now’ button on the vacancy page and submit the following documents:
- A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and (if applicable) a list of publications and references.
- A Cover Letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, and motivation to apply for the position.
- The contact information of two academic references who can be reached for further insights.
For additional substantive questions about the position or the application procedure, applicants can contact Dr. Frank Röttger via email at f.rottger@utwente.nl.
Last Date for Apply
September 6, 2026 (Applications will be reviewed continually, and interviews will be arranged as soon as a suitable candidate is found, so early application is recommended.)
