PhD Candidate in Mathematical Insights into Algorithms for Optimization

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked as one of the world's leading universities. It has around 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united 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 in all parts of our operations.

Description of the Organization

The PhD candidate will work in the Mathematical Insights into Algorithms for Optimization (MIAO) group at the Department of Computer Science at Lund University. The group, led by Jakob Nordström, is also active at the University of Copenhagen.

The MIAO group has a unique profile in that we conduct research on the mathematical foundations of efficient computations and work on designing applied algorithms that deliver top performance in practice. This creates a very special environment where we not only delve deeply into various theoretical and practical questions, but where different research projects cross-fertilize each other and unexpected and exciting synergies often arise. Much of our research revolves around powerful algorithmic paradigms such as SAT solving, Gröbner basis computations, integer programming, and constraint programming. This leads to classical questions in computer science – but often with new, interesting perspectives – as well as the challenge of constructing smart algorithms that can utilize such methods in practice.

Our latest addition to the research portfolio focuses on verifiability for modern algorithms for combinatorial optimization. Such algorithms are often very complex, and even well-established commercial solvers sometimes compute incorrect results. Our work on designing a new generation of certifying combinatorial solvers, which produce not only solutions but also automatically verifiable proofs that the solutions are correct, has already led to several prestigious international awards, but many more exciting research problems are still waiting to be solved!

Being a PhD Candidate

As a PhD candidate, you are both admitted as a student and employed by Lund University. As a doctoral student, you are trained in a scientific approach. This can be briefly described as gaining practice in thinking critically and analytically, solving problems independently using the right methodological choices, and developing a research ethical awareness. Additionally, there are opportunities for you as a PhD candidate to work on projects, develop your leadership skills, and enhance your pedagogical abilities. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies conclude with a dissertation and a PhD degree.

More about being a PhD candidate at LTH at lth.se (https://lth.se).

Subject and Project Description

The main purpose of this announcement is to find a mathematically gifted PhD candidate with excellent programming skills who can continue our groundbreaking work on certifying algorithms, funded by the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP). However, there is flexibility in the choice of focus, and all candidates are welcome, whether they wish to focus on theoretical or applied research or are inspired by the challenge of bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Job Responsibilities

You will primarily engage in your doctoral education, which includes participation in research projects as well as doctoral education courses, seminars, and conferences. Your responsibilities will also include participation in teaching and other departmental work, but this will be a maximum of 20% of your working time, which will extend the duration of your doctoral studies accordingly.

Qualifications

To be eligible for admission and employment as a PhD candidate, you must meet the requirements below.

Eligibility Requirements

You meet the basic eligibility for doctoral education if you have:

• a completed degree at the advanced level or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level or
• acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way.

Specific Eligibility for Computer Science

You meet the specific eligibility for computer science if you have:

• at least 60 higher education credits at the advanced level relevant to the subject area, or
• a master's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, information and communication technology, engineering physics, or technical mathematics.

Other Requirements

To benefit from the current doctoral education, the following is also required:

• Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written.
• Very good knowledge of mathematics and computer science, demonstrated by top grades in relevant courses, or through results in mathematics and informatics olympiads, or in the form of previously completed research projects.
• Very good problem-solving skills and creative thinking.
• Very good programming skills for candidates who intend to focus on applied research.
• Good ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle scientific problems.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• Good collaborative skills.

We Offer

Lund University is a government agency, which means you will receive special benefits, generous vacation, and a favorable occupational pension.

More about working at Lund University at lu.se (https://lu.se).

For the full advertisement, please see: https://lu.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:876903/ (https://lu.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:876903/)

Welcome with your application!

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 around 100 dissertations 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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