The Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics is offering a postdoctoral scholarship in mathematics focusing on rigidity theory in groups. The scholarship is full-time for two years commencing 1 September 2024 or by agreement. The last day to apply is 10 June 2024.

The scholarship is part of a significant expansion of the newly formed research group in Geometry. The postdoctoral researcher will become part of a team consisting of Klara Stokes and 2 PhD students working on structural rigidity and kinematics. Apart from this recruitment, the current expansion of the group in Geometry involves one PhD student and one postdoc working on geometric deep learning, one PhD student and one postdoc working on mirror symmetry and complex geometry and one PhD student working in extremal combinatorics. More broadly, the group in Geometry conduct research in combinatorial geometry, complex geometry, geometry and symmetries of differential equations, geometric deep learning, finite geometry and incidence geometry. We also form part of the research group Discrete Mathematics at Umeå University which covers a wide range of areas: extremal, probabilistic, algorithmic, game theoretic, computational, topological, geometric and algebraic aspects of combinatorics.

Project description:
The project is concerned with mathematical rigidity theory as it appears in structural mechanics, robotics and molecular structures in chemistry. Apart from well-established combinatorial tools such as graphs and matroids, one possible direction of the project is to explore rigidity theory and kinematics by using group theory. This would redefine what we mean by a moving articulated structure and set the foundations for a combinatorial study of motions of a combinatorial incidence structure realized, not in geometric spaces, but in groups. By developing a coherent theory for group actions in this context, we can introduce combinatorial counting techniques into geometric group theory.

The appointed candidate is expected to carry out collaborative research according to a mutually agreed research plan. They are also expected to present their research at international conferences and actively participate in joint workshops and seminars.

The scholarship holder will be based at the Department of Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics at Umeå University and will be financed by the Kempe Foundation. The stipend will be 737 000 SEK for two years.

Umeå offers excellent working and living conditions. The city is young and located right next to a large river. It is surrounded by forests and lakes and lies close by the sea. In the vicinity there are plenty of opportunities for both indoor and outdoor activities.

For further information and instructions on how to apply, see:

https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/postdoctoral-scholarships/6-923-24/