Postdoctoral Researcher in Combinatorial Optimization and/or Theoretical Computer Science

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked as one of the world's leading institutions of higher education. It has around 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our pursuit to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of humanity. Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Gender equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles for all aspects of our operations. **Description of the Workplace** We are seeking a leading junior researcher with an innovative mindset and intellectual curiosity who can strengthen and complement the research profile of the Mathematical Insights into Algorithms for Optimization (MIAO) group at the Department of Computer Science at Lund University. The group, led by Jakob Nordström, is also active at the University of Copenhagen. Lund University is located in the Öresund region, which offers one of the strongest and most exciting environments for research in the foundations of computer science in Europe. We collaborate not only with the University of Copenhagen, where the Basic Algorithms Research Copenhagen (BARC) center is based, but also with the IT University of Copenhagen (ITU) and the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). **Specific Subject Description** The MIAO group has a unique profile in that we conduct research on the mathematical foundations of efficient computations while also working on designing applied algorithms that achieve top performance in practice. This creates a very special environment where we not only delve deeply into various theoretical and practical questions but also where different research projects cross-fertilize each other, often leading to unexpected and exciting synergies. Much of our research involves powerful algorithmic paradigms such as SAT solving, Gröbner basis computations, integer programming, and constraint programming. This leads to classic questions in computer science—often with new, interesting perspectives—but also to the challenge of constructing smart algorithms that can leverage such methods in practice. Our latest addition to the research portfolio focuses on verifiability for modern algorithms for combinatorial optimization. Such algorithms are often highly complex, and even well-established commercial solvers sometimes compute incorrect results. Our work on designing a new generation of certifying combinatorial solvers, which produce not only solutions but also automatically verifiable proofs that the solutions are correct, has already led to several prestigious international awards, but many more exciting research problems are still waiting to be solved! The main purpose of this announcement is to find a candidate with strong mathematical abilities combined with excellent skills in algorithms and programming who can continue our groundbreaking work on certifying algorithms for combinatorial optimization. However, there is flexibility in the choice of focus, and all candidates with research in the field are welcome, whether they wish to focus on theoretical or applied research or are inspired by the challenge of bridging the gap between theory and practice. **Job Responsibilities** The primary responsibility of the postdoctoral researcher will be to conduct research. Teaching at the advanced level is encouraged but not required. Travel is included in the position, and we also have visitors on a regular basis. Within the framework of the employment, there is an opportunity for three weeks of higher education pedagogical training. The purpose of the position is to develop the postdoctoral researcher’s independence as a researcher and to create conditions for further qualification. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to collaborate with PhD students in the group and may be asked to assist in supervising thesis work. **Eligibility** To be eligible for employment as a postdoctoral researcher, the candidate must have obtained a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree in the relevant field. Proof of meeting the eligibility requirement must be submitted by the time the employment decision is made. Primarily, the applicant in question should have obtained their degree no more than three years before the application deadline. If there are special reasons, the doctoral degree may have been obtained earlier. **Other Requirements:** - Proficiency in English, both spoken and written. - Solid background knowledge and a passionate interest in computer science and mathematics. - Problem-solving skills and creativity. - Good collaboration skills. - Published articles in top conferences and/or journals in the field, such as AAAI, IJCAI, SAT, CP for more applied candidates, or STOC, FOCS, SODA, CCC, ICALP for more theoretically oriented candidates. For the full advertisement, please see: https://lu.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:878003/ We welcome your application! LTH – Lund University Faculty of Engineering – is the technical faculty at Lund University. At LTH, we educate people, build knowledge for the future, and work hard to develop society. We create space for brilliant research and inspire creative development in technology, architecture, and design. Nearly 10,000 students study here. Each year, our researchers – many of whom work in world-leading profile areas – publish around 100 dissertations and 2,000 scientific findings. A range of research results and student projects