Marcello Carioni

The University of Twente in the Netherlands is inviting applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position in Optimisation and Optimal Transport within the NWO-VIDI project "SPARGO: Exploring and Exploiting the Geometric Landscape of Infinite-Dimensional Sparse Optimisation." The position is based in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics & Computer Science (EEMCS), specifically in the Mathematics of Imaging and Artificial Intelligence (MIA) group, and is supervised by Dr. Marcello Carioni. This research project focuses on developing new mathematical frameworks for optimisation in infinite-dimensional spaces, leveraging optimal transport as a geometric tool for data comparison and representation. Key topics include sparse representations, data compression, and applications to neural networks, imaging, and partial differential equations (PDEs). The work sits at the intersection of deep mathematical theory and computational applications, offering opportunities for international collaboration with groups at the University of Cambridge and KFU Graz. Applicants should hold or be near completion of an MSc in Mathematics, with a strong background in functional analysis, optimisation (continuous or discrete), optimal transport, PDEs, calculus of variations, or inverse problems. Interest in coding and numerical methods is expected, and proficiency in English is required. The application package must include a CV, motivation letter, BSc and MSc transcripts, MSc thesis summary, and contact details for two academic referees (including the MSc supervisor). The position offers a competitive salary (€3,059–€3,881 gross/month), 8% holiday allowance, 8.3% end-of-year bonus, flexible/hybrid working options, over 300 hours of annual leave, free access to campus sports facilities, family-friendly policies, and a solid pension scheme. The University of Twente is committed to diversity and encourages applications from women and underrepresented groups. To apply, submit your application online via the University of Twente careers portal before March 25, 2026. For further information, contact Dr. Marcello Carioni at [email protected].