PhD student (m/f/x) on the subject of probabilistic turbulence models

Role Overview
Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) has a vacancy in the Scientific Computing research group for a talented PhD student (m/f/x) on the subject of probabilistic turbulence models. Turbulent flows affect wind farms, industrial processes and our weather climate, but it is impossible to compute every swirling eddy. Instead, 'closure models' approximate the impact of the unseen turbulence. The ERC Consolidator project SYMBIOSIS aims to build closure models around the concept of entropy. Drawing on both entropy's physical meaning (linked to stability), and its information-theoretic role in measuring uncertainty, SYMBIOSIS will create entropy-stable simulations of fluid flow. The framework combines model reduction, stochastic modelling and data assimilation to construct adaptive, probabilistic turbulence models and applies them to real-life applications such as wind-turbine wakes and CO2 transport. SYMBIOSIS consists of several PhD and postdoc positions (6 in total). Depending on the background of the candidate, the focus will be more on stochastic fundamentals, on generative machine learning, or on data assimilation. The PhD candidate will be positioned at CWI and the main supervision of this position will be by dr. B. Sanderse, with opportunities for close collaboration with universities and knowledge institutes, in particular with Eindhoven University of Technology, where Sanderse holds a part-time position and where the PhD candidate will obtain the PhD degree. The project builds on related projects on structure-preserving machine learning and model reduction for fluid flows that are currently running in the Scientific Computing group at CWI.

Responsibilities
The PhD candidate will work on constructing adaptive, probabilistic turbulence models within the SYMBIOSIS project. Depending on the candidate's background, the focus will be on stochastic fundamentals, generative machine learning, or data assimilation. The candidate is expected to be a team player and to be fully committed to work with the other team members of SYMBIOSIS.

Requirements and Qualifications
Candidates are required to have a completed MSc in applied mathematics, physics or a related discipline, and strong expertise in at least one of the following fields: numerical analysis, stochastic methods, generative machine learning, computational fluid dynamics, or data assimilation. We especially welcome candidates with a strong mathematical background, a keen interest in fluid flow simulation and good programming skills (e.g. Python, Julia). You should show proven research talent and good academic writing and presentation skills. Candidates are expected to have an excellent command of English.

What They Offer
The terms of employment are in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres ("CAO-onderzoeksinstellingen"). The initial labour agreement will be for a period of 18 months. After a positive evaluation, the agreement will be extended by 30 months. The gross monthly salary, for a PhD student on a full time basis, is € 3,115 during the first year and increases to €3,989 over the four year period. Employees are also entitled to a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.33%. CWI offers attractive working conditions, including flexible scheduling and help with housing for expat employees.