PhD position in Optimisation and Optimal Transport

Looking for a job that matters? Join the university of technology that puts people first – and shape new opportunities both for yourself and for ou...

We are looking for a talented, research-oriented PhD candidate to join the NWO-VIDI project “SPARGO:
Exploring and Exploiting the Geometric Landscape of Infinite-Dimensional Sparse Optimisation” led by Dr. Marcello Carioni at the University of Twente. More information about this here .

Infinite-dimensional modelling has always held a central role in applied mathematics and, nowadays, its popularity has surged in fields traditionally focused on real-world applications, such as engineering, machine learning and imaging. This evolution calls for new methodologies capable of effectively representing and compressing data in infinite-dimensional settings.

In this project, we aim to address this challenge by developing a theoretical framework for the optimal representation of infinite-dimensional data and by designing compression algorithms specifically tailored to such representations. Within this perspective, Optimal Transport will play a fundamental role, as it provides a principled way to compare data distributions capturing their underlying geometric structure. A solid understanding of this theoretical framework will be essential for addressing real-world problems.

In particular, we will consider applications to neural network training, imaging, and the analysis and numerical solution of partial differential equations.

• You have, or will shortly acquire, an MSc degree in Mathematics;
• You have a solid theoretical foundation in one or more of the following topics: continuous optimisation, discrete optimisation, functional analysis, optimal transport, inverse problems, partial differential equations, calculus of variations;
• You are interested in improving your coding/programming skills during the PhD;
• You are proficient in English.

• As a PhD candidate at UT, you will be appointed to a full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, within a very stimulating and exciting scientific environment;
• The University offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues;
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 3.059,- (first year) to € 3.881,- (fourth year);
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• The flexibility to work (partially) from home;
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Free access to sports facilities on campus
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
• You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;
• We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other staff.

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before March 26 2026
, and include:

• A motivation letter, emphasising your specific interest and motivation to apply for a PhD position in this research area.
• An academic transcript of BSc and MSc education, including grades.
• A summary of your MSc thesis/final project.
• References (contact information) of two scientific staff members (one of whom should be the supervisor of your MSc thesis/final project) who are willing to provide a recommendation letter at our request.

We particularly encourage/support female applicants to apply.

For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact Dr. Marcello Carioni (m.c.carioni)

Screening is part of the selection process.

The PhD candidate will work under the…