PhD Positions Jointly Hosted by Leiden University and MPI-SWS in the Arithmetic of Periods

For up-to-date information, see: https://emresertoz.com/phd-in-periods/

We are advertising two PhD positions jointly hosted by Leiden University and the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems (MPI-SWS). Supervision will be provided by Emre Can Sertöz (Leiden University) and Joël Ouaknine (MPI-SWS).

The start date for these positions is flexible and can be scheduled anytime between Winter 2025 and Fall 2025. The student is expected to complete the PhD within four years.

Profile
We are looking for strong PhD candidates with a broad range of mathematical interests. A computational inclination is a plus; coding skills, as well as a mind for effective mathematics, are valuable assets. Competency in at least one of the following core areas of mathematics is expected:

• Complex algebraic geometry
• Arithmetic geometry
• Algebraic curves, Jacobians, abelian varieties
• Algorithms and complexity

Employment
The PhD student will be employed by the Max Planck Institute, with their salary fully covered by MPI, while Leiden University will serve as the degree-granting institution upon successful completion of the PhD requirements.

Location
The PhD student will spend roughly equal time at the Mathematical Institute of Leiden University (Leiden, Netherlands) and the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems (Saarbrücken, Germany). James Worrell (Oxford, UK) is a close collaborator, and the student will have the option to visit him in Oxford for up to one month each year.

Salary
This is a full-time position (39 hours/week) for a 4-year term. Compensation follows the German TVöD (public sector salary scale), set at salary group E13, level 1 (75%). The current gross monthly salary is €3471,57 for full-time, plus an end-of-year holiday bonus (65% of a month).

How to Apply
The student will be hired through the Leiden University portal. Please submit all application materials using the "Apply" button below and follow the instructions provided.

For full consideration, please apply no later than 15 January 2025.

For informal inquiries, feel free to contact either ECS (emre@sertoz.com) or JO (joel@mpi-sws.org).

References
Please give the contact details of your reference letter writers under "Job-Specific Information" and ask them to submit their letters by 15 January 2025 to emre@sertoz.com .

Do not submit recommendation letters yourself under "My Documents"; those slots should be left blank.

Motivation letter/Cover Letter
This is meant to be a 1-2 page letter to complement your application. There are no strict page limits and no formatting guidelines. Use it to strengthen your application in any way you see fit, e.g., to draw attention to your strengths and to provide context for what may otherwise be perceived as weaknesses.