Postdoctoral researcher; m​/f​/x : Probabilistic turbulence models

Postdoctoral researcher (m/f/x) on the subject:
Probabilistic turbulence models

Founded in 1946, CWI is the national research institute for mathematics and computer science in the Netherlands and is located at Science Park Amst...

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) has a vacancy in the Scientific Computing research group for a talented Postdoctoral researcher (m/f/x) on the subject:
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 postdoctoral candidate will be positioned at CWI and the main supervision of this position will be by Dr.

B. Sanderse. The candidate will have opportunities for close collaboration with universities and knowledge institutes, in particular with Eindhoven University of Technology, where Sanderse holds a part‑time position. 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.

Candidates are required to have a completed PhD 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 independence in research and good academic writing and presentation skills. The candidate is expected to be a team player, to be fully committed to work with the other team members of SYMBIOSIS, and to aid in supervision of the PhD candidates. Candidates are expected to have an excellent command of English.

The terms of employment are in accordance with the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres (CAO‑onderzoeksinstellingen). The gross monthly salary for an employee on a full‑time basis, depending on relevant work experience, ranges from €4,725 to €5,758. The appointment will be for a period of 2 years.

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.

The Final date to receive applications is 31st August 2026.

CWI encourages a diverse workforce: we endeavour to develop talent and creativity by bringing people from different backgrounds and cultures together. We strongly encourage everyone with the appropriate qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical abilities.