PhD Candidate in Computer Science

Sapere Aude – dare to be wise – is our motto. Our students and staff develop socially important knowledge that enriches individuals and the world. Our academic environment is characterized by curiosity, courage, and openness, and there is a close connection between people, roles, subjects, and research. The foundation of our activities is equality, diversity, and a democratic perspective. We are located in Värmland, a nature-rich and culturally rich region where we are a driving force for sustainable development in close collaboration with society.

Karlstad University has approximately 1,400 employees and 17,700 students distributed across two inspiring campus environments in Karlstad and Arvika. Read more about us at: https://www.kau.se/jobba-hos-oss (https://www.kau.se/jobba-hos-oss)

Description

The Faculty of Health, Natural and Engineering Sciences announces a position within the doctoral education program culminating in a PhD in Computer Science at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.

As a PhD candidate, you will contribute to research with high societal and industrial relevance and become part of the university's strategic investment in doctoral education, within a doctoral position focused on mobile 6G systems with an emphasis on large-scale Internet of Things (IoT). While the implementation of 5G is still ongoing, research and standardization efforts have shifted towards the design of 6G systems, which aim to provide built-in support for massive, heterogeneous, and intelligent connectivity. A central driving force behind 6G is the need to enable IoT at extreme scale, from dense terrestrial installations to globally distributed devices, with strict requirements for energy efficiency, reliability, low latency, and scalability. Additionally, 6G is expected to offer seamless integration of non-terrestrial networks (NTN)—including satellite and aerial platforms—enabling seamless connectivity across both terrestrial and non-terrestrial segments.

For a complete description, see the application link.

Responsibilities

As a PhD candidate, you will primarily engage in your own doctoral education. The doctoral education program, consisting of 240 higher education credits (hp) for the PhD and 120 hp for the licentiate degree, is an opportunity for paid studies combined with work and a chance to start an academic career. As a PhD candidate, you will work independently and be prepared to contribute in various ways to the subject's and department's work and development. You will have the opportunity to deepen your interests together with others. It may be relevant to participate in teaching and administration, known as departmental duties, by agreement. Such work can comprise a maximum of 20% of full working time. The work as a PhD candidate gives you great freedom to plan and organize your work, which requires commitment, drive, and the ability to structure your work successfully to complete a dissertation. Experienced supervisors will support you along the way.

To contribute to a good working environment and support both the organization's and your own development as a researcher, you are present and actively participate in the daily work and community.

Eligibility and Admission

To be admitted to the doctoral education program, you must meet both general and specific eligibility requirements (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7 § 35). General eligibility is granted to those who have obtained a degree at the advanced level, completed course requirements of at least 240 hp, of which at least 60 hp at the advanced level, or who have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7 § 39).

Specific eligibility is granted to those who have obtained a master's degree in computer science; obtained a master's degree in computer science; or obtained a master's degree in computer engineering. Those who have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country are also eligible.

To be admitted to the doctoral education program, you must be assessed to have the ability to benefit from the education (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 7 § 35). Admission is based on individual assessment.

Assessment Criteria

For a complete description of the assessment criteria, see the application link.

Other

Karlstad University values the qualities that a balanced gender distribution and diversity contribute to the organization. We therefore welcome applicants of all genders and with different backgrounds, abilities, and life experiences.

Conditions

Upon admission to doctoral education, an employment as a PhD candidate will be offered (Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 5 § 3). The employment includes four years of full-time studies, or five years of studies at 80% and 20% teaching or other departmental duties. The employment is initially limited to one year and can then be extended for a maximum of two years at a time, with a start date by agreement.

The salary for the PhD candidate position follows the local collective agreement with fixed salary steps.

Application

Applications are made in the university's web-based recruitment tool Varbi.

For a complete description of what your application should contain, see the application link.

Application deadline: 2026-04-13

Reference number: REK2025/231

For applicants with a foreign degree

If your degree is from an institution outside Sweden or has not been verified by a Swedish authority before, it is important that you attach diplomas and transcripts that facilitate assessment. Include in your application a contact (phone number or email) from the issuing institution that can verify your degree.

Welcome with your application!

Karlstad University has made a medieval for this recruitment, and we therefore decline contact with advertisers and sellers of recruitment services.

HR Excellence in Research

Karlstad University received the HR Excellence in Research award in September 2020. The award is given to employers who have a stimulating working environment and good conditions for researchers and continuously work to develop these. The award demonstrates the institution's commitment to fair and transparent recruitment as well as favorable professional development for researchers. Read more at https://www.kau.se/jobba-hos-oss/karlstads-universitet-som-arbetsgivare/human-resources-strategi-forskare-hrs4r (https://www.kau.se/jobba-hos-oss/karlstads-universitet-som-arbetsgivare/human-resources-strategi-forskare-hrs4r)