Department of Computer Science
Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen

The Department of Computer Science (DIKU) at the University of Copenhagen invites applications for PhD positions in theoretical computer science and/or combinatorial optimization tentatively commencing 1 September 2021 (but the starting date is negotiable).

Description of the scientific environment
The PhD students will be working in the Algorithms and Complexity Section at DIKU. This is one of the leading research groups in theoretical computer science in Europe, with a strong presence at top-tier conferences like STOC, FOCS, and SODA, and also with publications in premier AI conferences like AAAI, IJCAI, and NeurIPS. We are part of an exciting environment including the Basic Algorithms Research Copenhagen (BARC) centre (https://barc.ku.dk/), joint with the IT University of Copenhagen, and have extensive collaborations with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Lund University on the Swedish side of the Øresund Bridge, as well as with our many visitors. We aim to attract top talent from around the world to an ambitious, creative, collaborative, and fun environment. Using the power of mathematics, we strive to create fundamental breakthroughs in algorithms and complexity theory, but we also have a track record of start-ups and surprising algorithmic discoveries leading to major industrial applications.

The University of Copenhagen was founded in 1479 and is the oldest and largest university in Denmark. It is often ranked as the best university in Scandinavia and consistently as one of the top places in Europe. Within computer science, it is currently number 1 in the European Union (post-Brexit) according to the Shanghai Ranking.

Further information about the Department of Computer Science and the Faculty of Science can be found at https://www.science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the positions can be made to Jakob Nordström (jn@di.ku.dk), Rasmus Pagh (pagh@di.ku.dk), or Mikkel Thorup (mthorup@di.ku.dk).

Job description
The position is available for period of 3-5 years, depending on your current education level as discussed further below, and your key tasks as a PhD student are:

• To manage and carry through your research project.
• Attend PhD courses.
• Write scientific articles and your PhD thesis.
• Teach and disseminate your research.
• To stay at an external research institution for a few months, preferably abroad.
• Work for the department.

Requirements
Applicants should have or be about to obtain either a BSc or an MSc degree in computer science, mathematics, or a related field. The successful candidates are expected to have a strong background and passionate interest in mathematics and computer science, as demonstrated by excellent grades in relevant courses, or by results at the Olympiads of Mathematics or Informatics, or by publication in relevant internationally recognized conferences or journals. Problem solving skills and creativity are a must. For candidates interested in applied research, strong programming skills are required.

Applicants need to be highly motivated for doctoral studies; should possess the ability to work independently and perform critical analysis, and also have good levels of communicative abilities and English language skills.

The working language of the group is English, and knowledge of English is also fully sufficient to navigate life in Denmark in general. It might also be worth mentioning that Denmark routinely scores at the absolute top in rankings of quality of life such as, e.g., the OECD Better Life Index http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org.

Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff. Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The starting salary is currently at a minimum DKK 331,125 (approx. €43,750) including annual supplement (+ pension at a minimum DKK 53,811). Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.

Integrated MSc and PhD Scheme
The position is also available for candidates who are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes in computer science. The duration of the integrated programme depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme please see: www.science.ku.dk/phd, “Study Structures”.

Scholarship and terms of employment for integrated MSc and PhD

PhD grant portions (Ph.D.‐SU klip)
In the period up to the completion of the MSc programme (up to three years), the student is entitled to so-called PhD grant portions. The grant portions are financed by the grant donor but not by the Danish State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme Agency (as is the case for the ordinary study grant portions on the BSc and MSc programmes). They are called PhD grant portions because this kind of remuneration is regulated and described in the Executive Order on the State Educational Grant and Loan Scheme in Denmark (SU‐bekendtgørelsen), and because the value of a PhD grant portion corresponds to the value of an ordinary Danish study grant portion. Students are awarded 48 PhD grant portions during the period of their MSc and PhD studies.

48 PhD grant portions at DKK 6,243 each, corresponding to DKK 299,664 (approx. €39,955).

‘Duty work’
As a supplement to the PhD grant portions, the student may, in accordance with the collective agreement of the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC), be offered 'duty work'. In the period up to the completion of the MSc programme, students performing 'duty work' are paid by the hour. UCPH has decided to offer students on integrated MSc and PhD schemes 150 hours of 'duty work' per year during Part A of the programme (until two years of the combined programme of study remain). 'Duty work' during Part A if it has a duration of three years: 450 hours at a rate of DKK 219.79 (+ 12.5% holiday pay), corresponding to DKK 111,267 (approx. €14,835). For further information about Part A please see: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/studystructure/integratedphd/

Salary in accordance with the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC)
In the period after the completion of the MSc programme, the student is employed as a PhD scholar and is remunerated in accordance with the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The scheme is arranged in such a way that students graduate from the MSc programme at a time when there are two years left of the integrated programme. For this reason, the salary must be paid for a period of two years in accordance with the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The amounts specified include a supplement locally agreed upon as well as pension contributions: Salary as a PhD scholar: 24 months at a rate of DKK 32,078 (including pension contributions and supplement), corresponding to DKK 769,873 (approx. €102,650).

Application Procedure
The application should be written in English and should be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include

• Curriculum vitae.
• Brief statement as to why the applicant wishes to conduct doctoral studies, including a description of the applicant's qualifications and interests.
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc).
• If applicable, acceptance letter for the relevant MSc Programme at SCIENCE, if any.
• Other information for consideration, e.g., BSc/MSc thesis or research publications.
• Possibly 1-3 reference letters.

The University wishes for our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

The deadline for applications is January 24, 2021, 23:59 GMT +1. 

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee. Afterwards an assessment committee will be appointed to evaluate the selected applications. The applicants will be notified of the composition of the committee and the final selection of a successful candidate will be made by the Head of Department, based on the recommendations of the assessment committee and the interview committee.

The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant and the above mentioned skills. The successful candidate will then be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD school of Science. You can read more about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

Questions
For specific information about the PhD positions, please contact Jakob Nordström (jn@di.ku.dk), Rasmus Pagh (pagh@di.ku.dk), or Mikkel Thorup (mthorup@di.ku.dk).

General information about PhD programmes at SCIENCE is available at https://www.science.ku.dk/phd.

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Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.