PhD position in Mathematics at Vilnius University [Lithuania]

PhD Position position in Mathematics at Vilnius University
http://www.mif.vu.lt/CAGLab/index.php?id=positions

One full-time PhD position is available at Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, Vilnius University (Lithuania) in the framework of Marie Curie Network SAGA (ShApes, Geometry, and Algebra).

Topic: Mathematics of surfaces with applications to geometric modeling.

Possible project examples:
Improved blends between primitive surfaces

The majority of mechanical parts in CAD have a boundary representation that combines planes and primitive surfaces (like sphere, circular cylinder/cone or torus) with smooth blends between them. Usually these constructions are only approximate, and the resulting blends are NURBS surfaces with gaps along boundaries. The project goal is to construct new efficient smooth blends between primitive surfaces of reasonable parameterization degree that have no gaps on the boundaries. The results should be possible to integrate into industrial CAD systems.

Fair surfacing constructions: filling multisided holes

Current CAD technology is essentially based on NURBS. The natural modeling process of smooth surfaces with complicated topology usually generates NURBS with n-sided holes (n not equal to 4). Several methods were proposed for fair filling of such holes using rational patches or special polynomial patchworks. The goal is to find structural representation of such constructions. This may lead to new kind of splines naturally extending NURBS, and that can represent/approxima te surfaces of arbitrary topology.

Qualifications
Degree: A Bachelor`s or equivalent 4-year degree in Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field is required: it must have been obtained within 4 years from the start date of the PhD. Possessing also a Master`s degree in a relevant field is an advantage. Nationality: The candidate cannot be of Lithuanian nationality, and cannot have resided or worked in Lithuania for more than a year during the 3 years before the PhD start date. Languages: Fluency in English is required. Other languages would be an advantage.

Financial support
Gross salary of about 2380 Euro per month (1400 Euro net), or about 2590 Euro (1520 Euro net) if married (family not necessary comes together). Travel allowance to/from country of residence, support for travelling related to the PhD etc.

Dates and application procedure
Start date: anytime till November, 2009, for 3 years; one semester will be spent in another SAGA partner.
Application deadline: the earlier the better.
Application procedure: Email your complete CV to rimvydas.krasauskas@mif.vu.lt, including relevant courses with grades, your Bachelor`s/Master`s thesis, any academic publications, and names/addresses of professors who may provide recommendations.