Vacant job

Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) is a specialized university with close collaboration with industry and society. The operations are based on the campus in Karlskrona. As a government agency, BTH conducts education and research of high quality with a clear focus on development, innovation, and societal benefit.

The Department of Software Engineering comprises approximately 50 people from 20 different countries. Our tradition in software engineering dates back to 1990 when we launched Sweden's first education in the field in collaboration with Ericsson. The department's research and educational environment, SERL Sweden – Software Engineering Research and Education Lab Sweden, has expanded since then and is now positioned as world-leading in research within software development. The department is responsible for software engineering education from the bachelor's level up to the doctoral level.

Job Description

You are expected to explore verification and validation (V&V) of software in the age of artificial intelligence, focusing on both how AI tools support development practices (AI4SE) and how the integration of AI components changes the nature of software systems (SE4AI). From a V&V perspective, the research investigates how the introduction of AI components – such as retrainable machine learning models (ML models), large language models (LLMs), and RAG modules (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) – challenges conventional V&V methods, tools, and workflows. From a technical perspective, the project aims to identify solutions where multimodal models can be used to improve test quality, the creation of test oracles, and to mitigate the effects of non-deterministic AI responses. Simultaneously, the project addresses the value creation of this technology, focusing on the efficiency and effectiveness of AI-assisted verification and validation. A particular focus in the project is system testing through graphical user interfaces (GUI-based testing), where additional challenges such as the cost of creating and maintaining tests, domain knowledge, and context-dependent design decisions must be considered. The goal is to create solutions that are generally applicable but also context-aware and adaptable to a specific situation, context, or environment. The doctoral project aims to develop both a technical and theoretical foundation for robust and reliable AI-assisted verification and validation. The research will be conducted in collaboration with several industry partners.

The main tasks include:

• Investigating how the integration of AI components such as LLMs, retrainable ML models, and RAG modules affects the verification and validation of software, including consequences for domain- and context-specific correctness in both traditional and AI-based software.
• Studying how AI changes verification and validation processes, with a focus on system testing at the GUI level, including the need for domain knowledge or constraints that enable human or AI-based agents to create high-quality tests.
• Publishing research results in leading conferences and scientific journals, and contributing to industry-relevant research within software engineering.

For this position, we are looking for a candidate with a background in software engineering, computer science, data analysis, and artificial intelligence.

Swedish regulations and benefits for doctoral students apply to this employment. The doctoral student, together with their supervisors, will develop an individual study plan within software engineering. The position may include up to 20% other duties, such as teaching at the undergraduate and advanced levels. The education is conducted in both Swedish and English, so good knowledge of Swedish is therefore meritorious.

Qualifications

To be employed as a doctoral student, the applicant must be or become admitted to doctoral-level education.

Eligible for admission to doctoral-level education is one who has completed an advanced-level degree in a technical, mathematical, or natural science field, or has otherwise acquired knowledge to be able to benefit from doctoral-level education in the subject.

The qualification requirements must be met at the time of admission, not at the time of applying for the position.

Meritorious Competencies and Experiences

In addition to the requirements described in the job description and the qualification requirements for employment, the following degrees, competencies, and experiences are considered meritorious:

• Master's degree, Master of Science in Engineering, or equivalent in software engineering, computer science, data science, or artificial intelligence.
• Documented experience in professional software development.
• Documented industrial experience in machine learning (ML), AI, and/or generative AI.
• Documented experience with or interest in GUI-based testing.
• Good ability to communicate verbally and in writing in Swedish and English.

Place of Work: Karlskrona.

Employment Extent: 100 %.

Start Date: As agreed.

Duration: Fixed-term employment for up to 4 years of research time. In the first phase, the employment covers one year, after which it is renewed for up to two years at a time, provided that the individual study plan is followed. The employment may include up to 20% other duties, whereby the time can be extended to a maximum of 5 years.

Last Date for Applications: July 17, 2026

Your application should include:

• A statement of your background and experience in areas relevant to the position.
• A curriculum vitae (CV).
• Degree and course certificates officially issued by your university.
• Contact details for two reference persons.
• The earliest date the employment can commence.
• An attachment with existing publications (if relevant).
• A link to your thesis (latest/highest degree).

You apply via our recruitment system by clicking the "Apply" button below. If you have protected personal data, you should not register your application in our recruitment system. Instead, contact the HR partner listed as the contact person in the advertisement for more information. Instructions for applicants are available at https://www.bth.se/om-bth/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-jobb (https://www.bth.se/om-bth/jobba-hos-oss/lediga-jobb). As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and instructions. BTH welcomes applicants with different backgrounds and experiences. We actively work to capitalize on the qualities that diversity and gender balance bring to the operations. We have chosen media for this recruitment and therefore decline contact with advertising salespeople or other sellers of recruitment services.