As a PhD-TA candidate, you will work on new distributed algorithms for large networks, in particular, computing the stationary distribution of random walks and policy evaluation. Random walks are used in network analysis for ranking vertices, community detection, and embedding of the vertices in multi-dimensional space for machine learning tasks. Policy evaluation is widely used in reinforcement learning, for instance, for training large language models. Your challenge is to develop, analyze and implement algorithms where the network vertices act independently by learning from their local observations. You will mathematically analyze the algorithms on random graph models and implement them on large real-life networks.

The position is closely related to the NETWORKS program of the SPOR cluster at the TU/e. You will join a lively group of academic staff, PhD candidates and postdocs who all share their fascination for mathematics of complex networks.  You will greatly benefit from the many workshops on networks and random graphs at the Eurandom conference center based at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the TU/e.

The PhD TA position is for 5 years with 25% of your time spent on education. Your advisor, as well as other members of the Probability group, are committed to effective innovative education. You will have the opportunity to use your creativity for designing, guiding and assessing new inspiring learning activities for the students, while we will guide you in your growth as educator.

• A master's degree (or an equivalent university degree) in mathematics or applied mathematics.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Motivated to develop and implement innovative course design
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for five years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 25% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,770 max. €3,539).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.