I think beside the algorithmic possibilities its great to have a general understanding of rhythm and the possibilies you can alter a specific rhythmic idea for example by augmentation or diminution or concepts like ametricality. The first chapters of this book are explaining some concepts of that https://monoskop.org/images/5/50/Messiaen_Olivier_The_Technique_of_My_Musical_Language.pdf there is also a great video series about it Decomposing Messiaen. Techniques of musical language. Episode 3 - "Augmentation" - YouTube
speaking of algorithms there is a thread on some ideas: Rhythmic algorithms