PhD Fellowship position in applied mathematics

The Department of Computer Science has a vacant PhD Fellowship position in applied mathematics. The successful applicant will be affiliated with the Mathematical Modeling group and the newly established OsloMet Quantum Hub, and will work within the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant project Regularized density-functional analysis REGAL. In addition, work within the project will be carried out closely with various local, national, and international collaborators. This is one of two PhD fellowship positions connected to the project.

Area of research

Density-functional theory (DFT) is the most widely used method of quantum chemistry. In this approach the particle density is used instead of the quantum-mechanical wave function. The central object in this theory is the exact density functional. It is unknown and obtaining good approximations is a top priority. In the Kohn-Sham scheme a set of one-particle equations are solved iteratively using an effective potential that generates the same particle density as solving the many-body Schrödinger equation would. The key ingredient of the effective Kohn-Sham potential is the exchange-correlation part, which formally is derived from taking the derivative of the exact functional. However, the exact functional is everywhere discontinuous.

The aim of REGAL is to employ regularization to obtain consistent approximations of the exact density functional as well as to investigate convergence of the regularized Kohn-Sham iteration scheme. Since practical approximations are often differentiable, it stands to reason that the theoretical justification of such approximations rests on the regularized theory and this is the main motivation of this project.

One of the objectives of REGAL is to develop the theory of regularization and to interpret these findings into practical results of value to the DFT community. The main challenge is the modelling of the exchange-correlation term. Exact constraints have been vastly used in DFT to learn more about the exact functional, but so far only in the unregularized regime. With the REGAL project, the aim is to accelerate the development of approximate density functionals by the novel approach of determining exact constraints in the regularized setting. The accuracy of such approximations determines the quality of the most widely used method of quantum chemistry. Thus, this objective has the potential to contribute vastly and broadly to the research field as a whole. In addition, the project aims at exploring more general density-functional theories, i.e., formulations that use more than just the particle density, e.g., current-density-functional theory.

The successful applicant’s primary duty is to carry out and publish research connected to the objectives of the REGAL project and will focus on developing the mathematical theory of Moreau-Yosida regularization in DFT. This involves working closely with the principal investigator and the other project team members – in addition to other staff members at the department. The candidate will be expected to go to international conferences and workshops to present the progress of the project. There are also international collaborators and the potential of research visits abroad.

The candidate is also welcomed to contributes to the activities of the Quantum Hub. This could, e.g., involve giving seminars at summer/winter schools and public dissemination work.

The position is advertised as a 3-year position with 100% research, or a 4-year position with 75% research and 25% other tasks (teaching, supervision and/or administrative work). The goal must be to complete the PhD program/degree within the decided time frame. The decision on a 3- or 4-year position will be discussed as part of the interviews in the hiring process. The start date of the position is 01.10.2023 at the latest.

Qualification requirements and conditions

• Master's degree in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Theoretical Physics or other related fields. The degree must contain 120 credits (ECTS). All exams for the master's degree must be completed by 30 June 2023.
• An academic profile that suits the project’s and the department’s needs.
• Good communication skills in English, oral and written.

The following grade requirements are a condition for employment in the position:

• Minimum average grade B on subjects included in the master's degree.
• Minimum grade B on the master's thesis.
• Minimum average grade C on the subjects included in the bachelor's degree. If you have an integrated master's degree, the grades from the first three standard years of the degree will be assessed.

Admission to the doctoral program in Engineering Science at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design within three months of employment is a prerequisite for the position. If you already have a doctorate in a related field, you will not qualify for the position.

In assessing the applicants, emphasis will be placed on the department's overall needs and the applicant's potential for research and possible teaching within the field.

General criteria for employment in academic positions are covered by the Regulations on employment conditions for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, scientific assistant and specialist candidate.

Preferred selection criteria

• Documented strong mathematical background and good familiarity with quantum mechanics. Familiarity with functional analysis and/or convex analysis is an advantage.
• Good collaboration- and communications skills, including a good ability in disseminating science.
• Strong motivation to successfully conduct a PhD education and a wish to develop the ability as a researcher.

It is important to OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavours to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to make adaptations to the workplace where required. You are also welcome to apply for a position with us if you have had periods where you have not been in employment, education or training.

We can offer you

• An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
• Opportunities for professional development in the Mathematical modelling group.
• To join an ERC funded project with international collaborators.
• The chance to contribute significantly to developing and strengthening the newly established OsloMet Quantum Hub.
• An active work environment.
• Beneficial pension arrangements with the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund 

Beneficial welfare schemes and a wide range of sports and cultural offers Free Norwegian language classes to employees and their partners/spouses

Practical information about relocation to Oslo and living in Norway. 

The position is paid according to the pay scale for Norwegian state employees, position code 1017 PhD fellow, NOK 501 200 per year.

Application

To be considered for the position, you must upload the following documents by the application deadline:

• Application letter describing your motivation and how your professional profile is relevant for this position.
• Copies of diplomas and transcripts for bachelor's and master's degrees (which list subjects and grades) and certificates. Please note that a description of the grading system at the university/country where you took your degree must be attached. This must be an official document with a stamp from your university. Foreign diplomas must be translated into English by the university that issued the diploma.
  • If you have not completed your master's degree at the time of application, you must attach a preliminary transcript in English or a Scandinavian language from your university by the application deadline. It is desirable that you also attach an overview of subjects/exams you will complete during spring 2023. Relevant applicants must also send an official confirmation from the educational institution by 30 June 2023, that all examinations for the master's degree, including the master's thesis, have been completed. 
• Name and contact information of two references (name, relationship, e-mail and telephone number).
• Scientific work that you want to be assessed.
• Applicants from countries where English is not a first language must submit the result of an official language test. The following applicants are exempt from this language requirement:
  • Applicants from EU/EEA countries.
  • Applicants who have completed at least one year of study in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Great Britain or the United States.
  • Applicants who hold an “International Baccalaureate (IB)” diploma.
• The following language tests are approved documentation: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE). In these tests, you must have achieved at least the following scores:
  • TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
  • IELTS: 6.5, where none of the sections should have a lower score than 5.5 (only the Academic IELTS test is accepted).

Official diploma and transcript must be submitted before taking up the position, no later than 01.10.2023. If your educational institution is not able to deliver an official diploma by the deadline, you must submit documentation from the institution that confirms that your master´s degree is completed by the same deadline.

We only process applications sent via our electronic recruitment system and all documents must be uploaded for your application to be processed. The documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language. Translations must be authorized. You must present originals at any interview. OsloMet checks documents, so that you as a candidate will get a real evaluation and fair competition.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to OsloMet.

Other information

If you would like more information about the position, feel free to contact:

• Associate Professor Andre Laestadius, email: andre.laestadius@oslomet.no, tel: +47 67 23 53 73
• Group leader André Brodtkorb, email: andre.brodtkorb@oslomet.no, tel: +47 45 61 90 70

If you have administrative questions about the position, please contact hrtkd@oslomet.no.

If you would like to apply for the position, you must do so electronically through our recruitment system.

Deadline for applications:      28.05.2023

Ref.:                                        23/02288