Utrecht University, Netherlands 2022 PhD International Positions in Mathematical Foundations of Large Evolving Networks

Large networks are one of the most popular but least understood objects studied in modern mathematics. They owe their popularity to numerous applications in physics, biology, computer and social sciences; however, the mathematical foundations of large networks are still being actively developed. One of the challenges mathematicians face when studying large evolving networks is that despite being discrete structures, they feature continuous-like properties that are reminiscent to differential equations: they converge to fixed points and experience bifurcation during continuous change of a parameter. A classic example is the ‘evolution’ of the Erdos Renyi graph if we interpret the connection probability as time. In this position, you as PhD candidate will seek explanation of this and more general phenomena by developing the theory of limiting differential equations in large evolving random graphs and studying properties of such equations. This position is a part of NWO VIDI funded project and expects close collaboration with a postdoc working on algorithmic aspects of network models as well as the rest of the Networks group at the Mathematical Institute at Utrecht. As the PhD candidate, you will take part in: conducting research and publishing findings in the area of networks, graphs, differential equations and/or stochastic processes; providing modest teaching service in English.