PhD Positions in Computer Science

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

This is a broad call in computer science and engineering covering areas such as: data science, logic and types, natural language processing, formal methods, software engineering, interaction design, computer graphics, and networks and systems. 

The department of Computer Science and Engineering is strongly international, with approximately 300 employees from over 30 countries. The department is a fully integrated department with the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology as principals.

The department is looking for four PhD students.
Each position is placed in one of the four divisions (Data Science and AI, Computer Networks and Systems, Computing Science, and Software Engineering and Interaction Design) at the department, with the University of Gothenburg as the employer.  

The Department aims to actively improve our gender balance and we work broadly with equality projects. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at the University and Department. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply regardless of age, gender, religion, country of origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation or functional impairment.

The appointed candidates will join a large student body comprising over 130 PhD students in the department. To every appointed candidate the department allocates a faculty member as main supervisor, whose role is to mentor the student towards becoming a full-fledged independent researcher.  In addition to the main supervisor, each student is allocated a co-supervisor and examiner who together support students in their progress towards achieving the requirements of the degree. The studies are followed regularly to support the student. We encourage students to have a good work-life balance throughout their employment. 

These positions are salaried positions for up to five years, as explained below. The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students. General information about being a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg can be found on the university's doctoral student pages, https://medarbetarportalen.gu.se/doktorand/?languageId=100001&skipSSOCheck=true    

Duties   

Third-cycle studies comprises four years of full-time studies and leads after a successful completion to a Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science and Engineering. Those who are employed as doctoral students must primarily focus their efforts on their doctoral education. However, a doctoral student may to a limited extent work with education or administration, so-called departmental service in a teaching or supporting role (for example, teaching assistance, membership in committees, or supervision of bachelor and master’s theses), which can be concentrated on certain parts of the year depending on the needs of the business in consultation with the student. Such work may, before the doctoral degree is completed, not cover more than 20% of full-time work over the study period. If departmental service is performed corresponding to 20% of full-time study time, the employment contract is extended by the corresponding period, which gives a total employment of five years. 

The purpose of the education is for the doctoral student to acquire the knowledge and skills required to be able to conduct independent research in the field of service, and to contribute to the development of knowledge in the subject by writing a scientific dissertation. The doctoral education is in total 240 higher education credits and includes thesis work corresponding to 180 higher education credits and courses corresponding to 60 higher education credits.  

More specifically, appointed candidates will read, review, and write research papers; give presentations; take courses; perform research appropriate for the topic of the project they are appointed in (e.g., conduct systematic literature reviews; design and conduct empirical studies; develop algorithms and theories, implement prototype programs to test their ideas, interact with industrial companies; or perform quantitative and qualitative data analysis) under guidance of the supervision team. Each student will become familiar with, evaluate and apply techniques related to their research direction. The proposed work includes many opportunities for collaboration and interaction at the department, in companies, and other universities.  

The applicants should specify the supervisor and project they would like to work with according to the following list. Appointed candidates will be appointed to work within the requested projects. The details of research proposals can be found HERE

A list of supervisors and project titles is available below:  

Eligibility   

Education at third-cycle level requires general eligibility and, where appropriate, specific eligibility as set out in the general syllabus for the subject.  

The general eligibility requirements for education at third-cycle level are:    

1. having completed a degree at second-cycle level, or
   2. the fulfilment of course requirements totalling at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits must be at second-cycle level, or  
2. the acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other way, either in Sweden or abroad. 

Third-cycle studies are studies at the PhD level. The applicant should hold an academic university master's degree or be close to finishing. The qualifications for education on a doctoral level are one of: a Masters level degree or similar, a university degree of at least 240 credits.

Specific entry requirements for this subject, according to the general syllabus, are:  
To be qualified for admission to third-cycle programme in Computer Science and Engineering the applicant is required to have obtained a second-cycle qualification. The orientation of the student’s degree shall have a sufficiently close connection to the subject of computer science and engineering. 

Equivalent requirements apply to individuals who have been awarded their degree in a country other than Sweden. 

Assessment criteria   

The selection of applicants who meet the basic and specific eligibility requirements will be based on whether they are expected to perform well during their PhD studies and their suitability for the chosen research project. This analysis includes a review of their submitted documentation (cover letter, CV, certificates) followed by an interview process for the most promising candidates.

Employment   

Once you have been admitted for education at third-cycle level, you will be employed as a doctoral student at the University of Gothenburg.   

The provisions for employment as a doctoral student can be found in ordinance SFS 1993:100.    

Initial employment as a doctoral student may apply for a maximum of one year, and may be renewed by a maximum of two years at a time.  

 A doctoral student may be employed as a doctoral student for a maximum of eight years, but the total period of employment may not be longer than the equivalent of full-time education at third-cycle level for four years.   

The University applies a local agreement on salaries for doctoral students.   

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, HF 5 kap 7 § 
Extent: 100 % of full time 
Location: Department of Computer Science and Engineering
First day of employment: 2024-01-10 or as soon as possible 

Contact information 

Regarding the projects, please contact Vincenzo Gulisano (email: vincenzo.gulisano@chalmers.se)  
Regarding the position, please contact Per Stenström (e-mail: per.stenstrom@chalmers.se)
Regarding the appointment procedure, please contact HR-partner Robin Garnham (e-mail: robin.garnham@chalmers.se)

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:   
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande     

Application   

You can apply to be admitted for education at third-cycle level via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline.   

The application should include the following materials: 

• Selection of minimum one and maximum two of the projects indicating, which of the two is the preferred project to work on 
• A cover letter explaining the merits of the candidate and describing clearly their suitability to the first ranked project. The cover letter must not exceed two pages. 
• A CV detailing previous experience including links to additional materials such as theses, publications, previous projects or similar. 
• Certificates of previous degrees and transcripts of courses that the student has passed and their grades. 

The application is to be written in English. 

Applications must be received by: 2023-08-20

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ 

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.