"PhD on mathematical modeling of scattering"

Job Summary: This PhD position involves using mathematical skills to model and design optical systems for sustainable high-tech devices. The role focuses on developing and analyzing numerical methods for partial differential equations (PDEs) related to optical systems, specifically in the Computational Illumination Optics group at Eindhoven University of Technology.

Responsibilities: Develop fast design methods for 3D optical systems with scattering surfaces, including solving the Monge-Ampère equation for freeform shapes. Work on research tracks such as freeform design, imaging optics, and improved direct methods. This includes computing shapes of optical surfaces to convert source distributions into desired target distributions, minimizing aberrations using Lie transformations, and enhancing direct methods like ray tracing for better efficiency and accuracy.

Qualifications and Requirements: A master’s degree in (applied) mathematics or (applied) physics with a background in mathematical modeling and scientific computing. Experience with numerically solving ordinary and partial differential equations, and programming in languages such as C, C++, Python, or Matlab. Candidates must be creative, proactive team players with good analytical skills, a research-oriented attitude, ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, interest in collaborating with industrial partners, motivation to develop teaching skills, and fluent English at C1 level.

What the Employer Offers: A four-year fixed-term contract with full-time employment, including a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 15% per year spent on teaching tasks. Salary between €3,059 and €3,881 per month, based on the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P. Additional benefits include a year-end bonus of 8.3%, annual vacation pay of 8%, high-quality training programs, excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus facilities, commuting and internet allowances, and support for international candidates such as the 30% tax facility.