PhD Candidate in Automated Program Verification and Software Development

Do you want to work with automated program verification and/or software development, supported by competent colleagues in a leading international environment? Do you want an employer that invests in sustainable employee engagement and offers secure, favorable working conditions? Welcome to apply for a PhD position at Uppsala University.

The Department of Information Technology holds a leading position in both research and education at all levels. We are currently the third largest department at Uppsala University with over 350 employees, of which 120 are teachers and 120 are PhD students. Approximately 5000 undergraduate students take one or more courses at the department each year. More information about us can be found at https://www.uu.se/institution/informationsteknologi (https://www.uu.se/institution/informationsteknologi).

Postdoc Position

The postdoc position is in the Department of Computer Science, specifically within the programming languages group, which currently consists of 7 senior researchers and 8 PhD students working on various aspects of programming language design, verification, and software development. In addition to technical collaborations, the group meets regularly and offers an engaging and supportive environment.

Project Description and Responsibilities

The position is part of the ERC Starting Grant project HORNET on practically usable automated verification and debugging techniques for numerical programs. These programs are widely used in safety-critical systems, data analysis, weather forecasting, physics, engineering, and more, but verifying and debugging their accuracy and reliability today is challenging due to rounding errors and limitations of current tools. One aspect that this project focuses on is the accuracy of finite precision programs with respect to a program specification that uses real numbers (and is therefore error-free). Possible concrete research directions that the postdoc may be involved in include automated program verification, specification inference, fault localization, practical usability, etc., in connection with numerical programs with finite precision. The projects typically involve both the development of new techniques as well as implementations that can be used practically. The postdoc candidate is expected to work both independently and in collaboration with other group members and external partners.

The role also includes research administration, participation in project meetings, and may involve up to 20% teaching within the department's course offerings (depending on the candidate's interests and course availability). We encourage all interested candidates who meet the qualification requirements to apply, even if their previous experience is not exactly aligned with the subject of this project. We carefully review all applications and seek candidates who can contribute to the project's goals.

Qualifications

A PhD in computer science in a relevant area for the position such as program verification, software engineering, or programming languages, or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a PhD in computer science in a relevant area such as program verification, software engineering, or programming languages. The degree must be completed by the time the employment decision is made. Primarily, candidates who have completed their degree within the last three years will be considered. In calculating the three-year time frame, the deadline for applications is the starting point. If there are special reasons, such a degree may have been obtained earlier. Special reasons include leave due to illness, parental leave, or union duties, etc.

Fluency in English, both written and spoken, as well as good programming skills are also required.

Desirable/Meritorious Qualifications

We are looking for a postdoc candidate who is responsible, self-driven, and has demonstrated independence in research while also functioning well in a research group. Emphasis will also be placed on the ability to publish scientific work in high-quality journals or conferences and to give presentations at conferences and scientific meetings.

Application Procedure

The application must include:

• a personal letter briefly describing your motivation for applying for this position and this project, as well as stating the earliest possible start date (max 1 page);
• a curriculum vitae (CV);
• a copy of relevant degrees and transcripts (translated into Swedish or English, e.g., according to your university);
• a list of publications (can be included in CV);
• a research description outlining your previous research experience and current research interests (max two pages);
• contact information for at least two references (do not include reference letters).

About the Employment

The employment is temporary for two years according to central collective agreements. The scope is full-time. Start date September 1, 2025, or by agreement. Place of employment: Uppsala

For inquiries about the position, please contact: University Lecturer Eva Darulova, e-mail: eva.darulova@it.uu.se (mailto:eva.darulova@it.uu.se).

Welcome with your application by April 22, 2025, UFV-PA 2025/659

Uppsala University is a broad research university with a strong international position. The ultimate goal is to conduct education and research of the highest quality and relevance to make a difference in society. Our most important asset is all 7,600 employees and 53,000 students who, with curiosity and commitment, make Uppsala University one of the most exciting workplaces in the country.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at Uppsala University https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/ (https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/)

The employment may be subject to security clearance. A prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved during the security clearance.

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Applications are received in Uppsala University's recruitment system.