Optimisation of algorithms for crystallography and imaging (PhD)

We offer an exciting opportunity to work in a PhD program at the forefront of the optimization/algorithms in the natural sciences.

The PhD position is on optimization/algorithms and offers the chance to develop new algorithmic approaches to convex optimization problems. The new algorithms will be applied to optimization problems arising in the natural sciences. The project offers the opportunity to experimentally verify the performance on real data which are obtained at Hamburg's world-leading large-scale research facilities (PETRA III, FLASH, European X-ray Free Electron Laser, DESY).

The position is fully-paid (100%) and offered for a period of 3 years. It comes with social security and generous travel money. We provide close supervision and support by a panel of established professors and scientists. Transferable skills and career development are an integral part of the PhD program, which is offered within the graduate school "DASHH – Data Science in Hamburg – Helmholtz Graduate School for the Structure of Matter" (www.dashh.org). The salary of the position is determined according to level TV-L E-13 of the German public sector. The exact amount of salary depends on experience, family circumstances, tax classification and other factors. Travel funding is available, for attending conferences and workshops, and visiting other researchers.

The successful candidate will join the TUHH Institute for Algorithms and Complexity (www.algo.tuhh.de), whose research covers a broad spectrum of algorithmic research; this includes big data algorithms, foundations of data science, combinatorial optimization, approximation and parameterized algorithms, and applications in operations research and discrete mathematics. The Institute for Algorithms and Complexity at TU Hamburg currently hosts several international researchers, so English is used on a daily basis as a working language.

The institute is located in the newly built Hamburg Innovation Port (www.hamburg-innovation-port.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/01-HIPtuhhlogowasser_web.jpg), which is located right at the Harburg harbour with great views of the harbour and Hamburg's famous opera house (Elbphilharmonie). Several other institutes of the TU Hamburg are located in the area, as well as DASHH - Data Science in Hamburg, the Helmholtz Graduate School for the Structure of Matter, and the German Air and Space Research Center (DLR). They are all located in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, which is Germany's second largest city, home to a population of about 1.8 million people. It is a famous city of entertainment, trade and commerce, with several universities and much research in algorithms.

TU Hamburg and the graduate school offer several attractive benefits, including subsidized public transport for the Hamburg metropolitan area, a sports centre on campus, family-friendly working hours, healthy campus initiatives, and more.

An excellent Master degree in (Applied) Mathematics, Mathematical Physics, Computer Science, Engineering or related field is required. Affinity with optimization, algorithms, or discrete mathematics is preferred. In particular, background in mathematical optimization, convex optimization, signal processing or image processing is appreciated.

Interested individuals should apply by sending their documents by e-mail to algo@tuhh.de. Applications should be submitted in English. Applications received by 24 June 2021 will receive full consideration. Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a letter of motivation, and a detailed list of university courses with grades. Any questions regarding the position should be directed to Prof. Henry Chapman (henry.chapman@desy.de) or Prof. Matthias Mnich (matthias.mnich@tuhh.de).