About the opportunity
The University of Twente is seeking a PhD candidate to develop a new mathematical framework for modeling multivariate systems during extreme events, such as floods, heatwaves, or financial crashes. The project focuses on generalized extremal structural causal models on arbitrary directed acyclic graphs, filling a critical gap in statistical methodology for high-dimensional, directed systems. The successful candidate will be part of the Statistics group within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS), supervised by Dr. Frank Röttger, and funded by an M1 Open Competition grant from the Dutch research council (NWO).
Salary and benefits
- Gross monthly salary ranging from €3,059 (first year) to €3,881 (fourth year).
- Holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary.
- End-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
- Solid pension scheme.
- Flexibility to work from home up to two days per week.
- Minimum of 232 leave hours for full-time employment (plus 96 extra leave hours annually for a 40-hour workweek).
- Free access to campus sports facilities.
- Parental leave (paid and unpaid).
- Training programme through the Twente Graduate School.
- Funding for active participation in scientific workshops, conferences, and research stays with international collaborators.
Who can apply?
- Master's degree in (applied) mathematics, statistics, or a related degree with a strong theoretical mathematical component (including probability theory and mathematical statistics), or will shortly acquire one.
- Proficiency in English.
- Good scientific programming skills (e.g., in R, Python, C++, Julia, etc.).
- Enthusiasm for the topic of the project and a desire to develop an academic profile in mathematical statistics.
Required documents
- Curriculum Vitae (including a list of all courses attended and grades obtained, and publications and references if applicable).
- Cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4) emphasizing specific interest, qualifications, and motivations.
- Contact information of two references.
When to apply
- Deadline: September 6, 2026 (as per structured data) / September 7, 2026 (as per page text).
- Applications are reviewed continually; early application is recommended.
- Preferred starting date: between October 2026 and early Spring 2027.
How to apply
- Apply online via the 'Apply now' button.
- Selection committee review of applications.
- First interview (online or in person), which may include a short presentation.
- Second interview to discuss job content, skills, and talents.
- Final offer and screening process.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Candidates with a Master's in (applied) mathematics or statistics.
- Those with strong theoretical foundations in probability theory and mathematical statistics.
- Proficient programmers in R, Python, C++, or Julia.
What should you think carefully about?
- The role is hybrid, allowing up to two days of remote work, but requires residency in the Netherlands.
- Applicants should verify the exact final deadline, as the stored content contains two different dates (September 6 and 7).
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This PhD is an ideal fit for someone looking to build a rigorous academic profile in mathematical statistics. It offers a structured path toward a doctorate through the Twente Graduate School, with funding for international research stays and conferences to build a global professional network.
Our take
Highly recommended for mathematicians and statisticians with a strong theoretical background who want to pioneer new frameworks for extreme event modeling.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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