PhD Position in Number Theory and Formalization

Do you have an inquisitive mind and a passion for mathematics? Please apply for a PhD position at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

The Department of Mathematics of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam welcomes applications for a fully-funded, 4-year PhD position in Number Theory and Formalization.

The candidate will conduct research on both developing and formalizing (with a proof assistant such as Lean or Rocq) number theory necessary for solving Diophantine problems. The focus will be on effective/algorithmic number theory, but more pure results will also play an important role. It will be supervised by Sander Dahmen (daily supervisor) and Assia Mahboubi. The position also contains a small teaching component.

The research is part of Sander Dahmen's NWO-funded Vici project Towards formalized Diophantine research: bridging the gap. It will be embedded in the Center for Topology, Algebra, and their Applications at the Mathematics Department.

The preferred starting date is September 1, 2026 (but somewhat later is also possible).

Your duties

• doing research towards writing a PhD thesis
• teaching tasks (roughly 15% of your time), for instance supervising exercise classes

Your profile

• a (prospective) MSc degree in Mathematics (or an equivalent thereof)
• good communication skills in English

Priority will be given to candidates with

• background in number theory/arithmetic geometry
• affinity with using a proof assistant (some experience or a clear motivation to acquire that)

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially involved organization.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a further 3 years. Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package
• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• good paid parental leave scheme

About us

The Department of Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics strives for excellence in research. The department balances pure mathematical research with mathematical research motivated by applications. Researchers in the department are active at a fundamental and theoretical level and also work on applications with links to business, the sciences, and societal issues. The department has a strong international research staff with expertise in dynamical systems, topology, geometry and algebra, as well as in stochastics (statistics, data analytics, probability).

Faculty of Science

Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.