项目介绍

2025年4月19日

Excited by the geometry of spacetime? Join Radboud University’s Department of Mathematics for a four-year PhD in mathematical relativity. Explore perturbations in relativity, contribute to groundbreaking research, and gain valuable experience in an active academic community.

The Department of Mathematics at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands) is seeking an outstanding and highly motivated PhD candidate to work on a PhD project on mathematical relativity. The position, supervised by Sharmila Gunasekaran, will be funded for four years and includes a light teaching load (10%). Specific areas of interest include but are not limited to understanding how perturbations influence geometric structures in relativity. Potential problems include understanding spacetime stability through PDE-based analytical techniques and rigidity of quasi-Einstein metrics. You will participate in relevant conferences, workshops and seminars and communicate your findings through publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Upon successful completion, you will be awarded a PhD degree from Radboud University.

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. 

Profile

• You hold or are working towards a degree in Mathematics or a related field (minimum equivalent to a four-year Bachelor’s). A Master’s is preferred but not strictly required. The degree must be completed before the start date.
• You have a strong background in differential geometry and/or partial differential equations. A background in general relativity or Riemannian geometry is welcome but not mandatory.
• You have excellent technical writing and communication skills.

We are

The position is part of the Mathematical Physics research group within the Department of Mathematics at Radboud University. Research in relativity within the group is represented by Annegret Burtscher, Sharmila Gunasekaran, Klaas Landsman, and Manus Visser.

The department fosters a friendly and collaborative environment, with researchers working in related fields such as Lorentzian geometry and black hole thermodynamics. The Department of Mathematics is embedded in the Institute of Mathematics, Astrophysics, and Particle Physics (IMAPP) at Radboud University, where relativity is widely represented. We maintain strong ties with researchers focussing on quantum gravity, gravitational waves, and black holes.

The Mathematics Department has over 20 PhD candidates, many of whom specialise in geometric areas. We are also a diverse group of staff members from around the world.

Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science (FNWI), part of Radboud University, engages in groundbreaking research and excellent education. In doing so, we push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

We seek solutions to major societal challenges, such as cybercrime and climate change and work on major scientific challenges, such as those in the quantum world. At the same time, we prepare our students for careers both within and outside the scientific field.

Currently, more than 1,300 colleagues contribute to research and education, some as researchers and lecturers, others as technical and administrative support officers. The faculty has a strong international character with staff from more than 70 countries. Together, we work in an informal, accessible and welcoming environment, with attention and space for personal and professional development for all.

Radboud University
At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.

We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) 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).
• 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 in the fourth year (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.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University’s primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.