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.
Job description
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 (http://www.cwi.nl/~sanderse), with 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.
Requirements
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.
Terms and conditions
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.
Please visit our websites for more information about our terms of employment:
https://www.cwi.nl/jobs/terms-of-employment and
https://www.nwo-i.nl/en/working-at-nwo-i/jobsatnwoi/
Information and application
If you wish to apply, submit your detailed CV, a complete list of courses taken and grades obtained, a copy of your Master and PhD thesis, two articles relevant for the position, a motivation letter and at least two references. The application deadline is 31st August 2026. Applications received before the deadline are given full consideration. Depending on the quality of applications, multiple positions might be filled.
For more information about the vacancy, please visit https://www.thinkingslow.nl/wordpress/erc-consolidator-positions-faq/
For more information about CWI, please visit www.cwi.nl or watch our video about working at CWI.
CWI encourages a diverse workforce: we endeavour to develop talent and creativity by bringing people from different backgrounds and cultures together. We recruit and select based on capabilities and talent. We strongly encourage everyone with the appropriate qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, gender, origin, sexual orientation or physical abilities.
Diversity code
CWI strives to be a diverse and inclusive research institute. To achieve balanced representation in positions, we have been investing in a diverse and inclusive organization already since 2010, among others by prioritizing applications from women researchers. This approach has recently led to hiring a majority of women in Tenure Track positions.
CWI encourages a diverse workforce: we endeavour to develop talent and creativity by bringing people from different backgrounds and cultures together. We strongly encourage candidates with the appropriate qualifications to apply for the vacancy, regardless of age, origin, sexual orientation or physical abilities.
About CWI
Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) is the Dutch national research institute for mathematics and computer science and is part of the Institutes Organisation of the Dutch Research Council (NWO). The mission of CWI is to conduct pioneering research in mathematics and computer science, generating new knowledge in these fields and conveying it to trade, industry, and society at large.
CWI is an internationally oriented institute, with 160 scientists from approximately 27 countries, an informal atmosphere and short lines of communication. We have an activity committee that organizes after-work activities and among others a women’s network.
CWI is located at Science Park Amsterdam, which is a major location of research in the physical sciences in The Netherlands, housing the sciences of the University of Amsterdam as well as several other national research institutes next to CWI.
About Research group
CWI’s Scientific Computing group performs high quality research at the frontiers of scientific machine learning, uncertainty quantification and partial differential equations, with application to (computational) fluid dynamics problems, climate and weather systems, etc. The group is well-known for fundamental advances in model reduction, closure modelling, high-dimensional uncertainty quantification, rare events, and stochastic approaches. For more information about the Scientific Computing group, visit https://www.cwi.nl/research/groups/scientific-computing.
