PhD Candidates in theoretical computer science (PA2026/968)

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Lund University, LTH, Department of Computer Science

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 46 000 students and 8 500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Description of the workplace

There is a growing research group in foundations of computer science at Lund University. We expect to have 8 PhD candidates by the autumn, in addition to three faculty and three postdocs. Our group’s research spans various facets of complexity theory, encompassing both combinatorial and logical perspectives. Key areas of interest include proof complexity, circuit complexity, communication complexity, meta-complexity, and their connections to algorithms.

Lund University is located in the Öresund area, which is offering one of the strongest and most exciting environments in computational complexity research in Europe. Our group has an extensive collaboration with the University of Copenhagen (UCPH), the IT University of Copenhagen (ITU), and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) on the other side of the Öresund Bridge.

Being a doctoral student 

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University. 

As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

More about being a doctoral student at LTH on lth.se .

Subject and project description

We invite applications for one to two PhD positions in computational complexity theory. 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. Both PhD candidates will be financed by WASP - the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program - and will be part of its national PhD school. 

Work duties

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral programme, which includes participation in research projects as well as third cycle courses, seminars and conferences. The position also comes with the opportunity to spend up to six months abroad.

The work duties include:

• participating in research projects, working individually and collaborating with others
• literature review
• writing research papers
• presenting results
• the duties may also include participation in teaching and other departmental work (however, a maximum of 20% of working hours).

Qualifications 

To be eligible for admission and employment as a doctoral student, you must fulfil the requirements below.

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 Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Engineering Physics or Engineering Mathematics.

Additional requirements

In order to complete the doctoral programme in question, the following are also required: 

• strong background in mathematics and theoretical computer science
• problem solving skills, persistency and creativity 
• good ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. 
• good written and oral communication skills
• good ability to cooperate
• very good knowledge of English, spoken and written 

Other qualifications

For the doctoral programme in question, the following are considered as other qualifications: 

• knowledge in complexity theory
• experience with research projects
• experience writing and presenting research papers 

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 

More about working at Lund University on lu.se .

About the employment 

We intend to hire 1-2 doctoral students. The employment is a fixed-term employment at full time, starting as soon as possible, according to agreement. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. In the case of teaching and other departmental duties, the employment is extended accordingly. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

More about terms of employment for doctoral students on Lund University’s Staffpages.  

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include: 

• CV and a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the doctoral programme/employment and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. 
• Copies of issued study certificates and/or awarded degree certificates. These must confirm that you meet the general and specific admission requirements for the doctoral programme and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral programme project. 
• Other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.)

We welcome your application.

Type of employment
Temporary position

First day of employment
As soon as possible by agreement

Salary
Monthly salary

Number of positions
2

Full-time equivalent
100

City
Lund

County
Skåne län

Country
Sweden

Reference number
PA2026/968

Contact

• Susanna Rezende, susanna.rezendecs.lth.se

Union representative

• OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-2229362, stst.lu.se
• SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, kanslisaco-s.lu.se, kanslisaco-s.lu.se
• SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-2229366, sekocivilseko.lu.se

Published
23.Mar.2026

Last application date
15.Apr.2026

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