PhD Positions in Automated Analysis and Design of Optimization Algorithms

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked as one of the world's leading universities. There are about 47,000 students and more than 8,800 staff members in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We unite in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of people.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Gender equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles for all parts of our activities.

We announce one to two PhD positions focusing on developing methods for automated analysis and design of first-order optimization algorithms.

Such algorithms are a cornerstone of modern machine learning, but traditional training methods often overlook the underlying geometry of the problems, which – if utilized correctly – can enhance the performance of the algorithms. In this project, we will investigate the potential of a new framework based on semidefinite programming as a foundation for developing automated methods for algorithm design and analysis. If successful, this could change how algorithm analysis and design are performed and lead to new high-performance methods for applications in machine learning, control engineering, and other fields. Both PhD candidates will be funded by WASP – Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – and will be part of its national graduate school. The position also includes travel funds and the opportunity for a six-month stay abroad. The main supervisor for the project is Pontus Giselsson.

Responsibilities

The primary task of a PhD candidate is to engage in their doctoral education.

The PhD position consists of three main components:

• research project, including writing articles, traveling to conferences, seminars, etc., and
• doctoral education courses, local, national as well as international courses (90 credits), and
• teaching (max 20% of working hours), including lab supervision, exam responsibilities, and development work. This part also includes departmental duties, e.g., work with diversity and equal treatment, organizing events at the department, etc.

Eligibility

Basic eligibility for doctoral education is met by those who have:

• completed a master's degree or
• fulfilled course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the master's level or
• acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way, within or outside the country.

The requirements for specific eligibility in control engineering are met by those who have:

• knowledge equivalent to “FRT010 Control Engineering, general course,” and a master's level specialization relevant to the subject area, and
• a master's degree in engineering or equivalent competence.

Other requirements:

• Excellent command of English, both spoken and written.
• Good linguistic analytical skills.
• Good creative ability to come up with new ideas and approaches.
• Good ability to collaborate with colleagues and network with external contacts.
• Self-driven and structured, taking personal responsibility for advancing studies and research projects.

Read more and apply here (https://lu.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:816078/)

LTH – Lund University Faculty of Engineering – is the engineering faculty at Lund University. At LTH, we educate people, build knowledge for the future, and work hard to develop society. We create space for brilliant research and inspire creative development of technology, architecture, and design. Nearly 10,000 students study here. Each year, our researchers – many of whom work in world-leading profile areas – publish about 100 theses and 2,000 scientific findings. A number of research results and student projects are refined into innovations. Together, we explore and create – for the benefit of the world.

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