The statistics research group at the University of Twente invites applications for one PhD (four years) and two postdoc positions (up to 3 years). These positions are part of an ERC consolidator grant. The aim of the research program is to generalize the recent statistical theory from artificial neural networks to biological neural networks. While deep learning is inspired by the functioning of the brain, there are distinctive differences in terms of the underlying network structures and the learning. If the research is successful, it has the potential to provide insights into how the brain learns and may lead to recommendations on how to make AI more efficient with less data. The project is one out of four ERC CoG 2023 projects, that have been highlighted by the European Research Council.

• You are an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher.
• You have, or you will shortly acquire, a Master in Statistics, Mathematics, or similar.
• You have a creative mindset and excellent analytical and communication skills.
• You have a good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment.
• You are fluent in English.

• As a PhD candidate at UT, you will be appointed to a full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, within a very stimulating and exciting scientific environment;
• The University offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues;
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 2.770,- (first year) to € 3.539,- (fourth year);
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Free access to sports facilities on campus.
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
• You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;
• We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other staff.

Statistics Research Group Twente: The research focus of the statistics group is on the development of statistical methodology for new data applications and the theoretical analysis of machine learning methods, in particular neural networks. A list of members of the statistics group can be found here. The statistics group is embedded within a larger data science initiative at the University of Twente’s department of applied mathematics.

We stand for life sciences and technology, high tech and human touch, education and research that matter, new technology that leads change and innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programs. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out groundbreaking research.

The EEMCS faculty comprises three subject areas that shape Information and Communication Technology. ICT is more than communication. In almost every product we use mathematics, electronics and computer technology contributing to all of societies' activities. The faculty works together intensively with industrial and medical partners.

The Department of Mathematics has as objective to develop mathematics in the context of important societal problems. We do fundamental research and also encourage and support interdisciplinary collaborations. In applications we focus on systems that are crucial to every-day life. We contribute to smart grids that make energy networks more efficient, mathematical models that assist medical doctors, schedules that make hospitals more efficient and numerical schemes to study multiscale fluid problems and wave propagation from nano to kilometer scales.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Because of our diversity values we do particularly support women to apply.