Doctoral students in computer science - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
The PhD students will be working in the research group of Susanna de Rezende, where the focus is on computational complexity and algorithms.

At the heart of computational complexity theory is the quest to understand the nature of efficient computation. What makes a problem computationally hard or easy? How can we show that every algorithm that solves a certain problem must necessarily consume a large amount of resources (such as time or memory, say)? The study of the potential and limits of efficient computation is about foundational, mathematical, research, but research results in computational complexity theory have had major impact in other areas of computer science and other scientific disciplines, and have given rise to some of the most important open problems in modern mathematics.

The research group has close ties with the the Mathematical Insights into Algorithms for Optimization (MIAO) group headed by Jakob Nordström.

Work duties
The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements
A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in computer science if the applicant has:

• at least 60 second-cycle credits at an advanced level with relevance for the research topic, or
• an MSc in Engineering in Computer Science and Enginnering, Electrical Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Engineering Physics or Engineering Mathematics.

Additional requirements:

• Good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Strong background and passionate interest in computer science and mathematics.
• Problem solving skills and creativity.

Assessment criteria
Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§. We intend to employ 2 doctoral students.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include the following documents:

1. Curriculum vitae.
2. Brief statement as to why the applicant wishes to conduct doctoral studies, including a description of the applicant’s qualifications and interests.
3. Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc).
4. If applicable, copies of the applicant’s MSc thesis (or possibly BSc thesis) and any research publications.
5. Names and addresses for three references who might be contacted later in the recruitment process.

Please observe that all the documents above should be in English (or for official documents possibly in Swedish).