Synthetic formulation of intermediate Ricci curvature lower bounds

About the Project

The Faculty of Science and Engineering at Maynooth University are pleased to announce that a Maynooth University Doctoral Scholarship in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics will be available for a suitably qualified and successful applicant intending to commence their PhD studies in October 2026.

Project Title: Synthetic formulation of intermediate Ricci curvature lower bounds.

Supervisor: Dr Christian Ketterer

Value of Maynooth University Doctoral Scholarship Award

The award is fully funded for four years, commencing September/October 2026 and running to completion in September 2030. The following funding is available:

• Student stipend: €25,000 per annum
• Annual Tuition Fees Support

Duration of Maynooth University Doctoral Scholarship Award

The scholarship is awarded for four years of full-time study, subject to satisfactory annual academic progression.

Project Description

A key research direction in Riemannian geometry is the study of metric spaces that arise as limits of sequences of Riemannian manifolds subject to curvature bounds. There is also an increasing interest in intermediate curvature quantities for Riemannian manifolds such as k-Ricci curvature. The project aims to develop a new characterization of lower bounds for intermediate Ricci curvature via optimal transport. This will allow to investigate the stability under convergence and to develop a synthetic framework that expands the notion of intermediate Ricci curvature lower bounds to metric or metric measure spaces.

Mode of Study

Awardees must be resident in Ireland and available to pursue their programme of research on a full-time basis at Maynooth University for four years. The successful candidate’s research programme will be under the general supervision of their nominated supervisor(s) who will specify study times, research times, vacation periods and other operational requirements. Awardees will normally be based on the Maynooth University campus and may only conduct research elsewhere with the permission of their supervisor and the Head of Department.

Full eligibility criteria can be found on our website.

Application and Selection Process

Please include the following in your application:

• A statement indicating why you are interested in doing a PhD in Mathematics and where your mathematical interests lie (two pages maximum)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Official University Academic Transcripts which include name, title of degree, date of conferring and the name of degree awarding body
• Non-Maynooth University applicants who are currently completing undergraduate/postgraduate programmes and have not as yet completed final exams should submit certified copies of academic transcripts with details of subjects studied and results to date
• Names and contact details of two referees
• Copy of birth certificate or valid passport

English Language requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must provide written evidence of competency in the English language that satisfies the programme-specific requirements set out by the Maynooth University International Office.

All Maynooth University Doctoral Scholarship Awards are conditional on approval for registration by the University. All eligible candidates will be considered for open positions. Applicants may be shortlisted for interview and, if so, will be contacted directly by the Department. Late applications will not be considered.

Informal queries can be sent to Christian.Ketterer@mu.ie

Closing Date: Please apply by 5pm on 12 June 2026.

Please submit applications directly to: mathsstatspg@mu.ie. Please title the subject of your email application as ‘MU Doctoral Scholarship -Christian Ketterer’.