Postdoc Positions in Theoretical Computer Science

The Theoretical Computer Science Group at KTH Royal Institute of Technology invites applications for postdoc positions in theoretical computer science.

Job Description

The Theoretical Computer Science Group at KTH (www.kth.se/tcs) offers a strong research environment spanning a wide range of research topics such as complexity theory and approximation algorithms, computer and network security, cryptography, formal methods and natural language processing. We have one of Europe's most prominent groups in algorithms and complexity theory, and the research conducted here has attracted numerous international awards and grants in recent years.

The postdoc positions are in the area of computational complexity theory. Current research in the group focuses mostly on approximation algorithms/hardness of approximation, subexponential algorithms, and proof complexity, but excellent researchers in neighbouring areas such as, e.g., communication complexity, circuit complexity, algebraic complexity, and harmonic analysis are also warmly welcome to apply.

This research project is led by Johan Håstad, Per Austrin, and Jakob Nordström, and is financed by grants from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the Swedish Research Council.

In addition to the PIs, the research project involves a total of 3-4 postdocs and 3-4 PhD students. Thus, this will be a great opportunity to explore new connections between different subareas of complexity theory within a vibrant and growing research environment.

Within the overall framework sketched above, the postdoc will be expected and encouraged to contribute to and influence the research agenda. Taking part in teaching graduate seminar courses is encouraged but not required. Travel funding is included, and the group also receives short-term and long-term visitors on a regular basis.

These postdoc positions are full-time employed positions for one year with a possible (and expected) one-year extension. The expected starting date is in August-September 2019, although this is to some extent negotiable.

Qualifications

Applicants should have or be about to receive a PhD degree in a subject relevant for the research area, and should have a passionate interest in research. The successful candidate is expected to have a solid background in theoretical computer science and mathematics, and should have a strong research record as witnessed by publications in conferences such as STOC, FOCS, SODA, CCC, or similar, or in journals of a comparable quality.

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

Workplace

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe's leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden's largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as in architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy.

The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) has recently been formed as a merger of three former schools at KTH in computer science, IT, and electrical engineering and is the home of world-leading research groups across large parts of information technology and computer science.

Employment

Form of employment: One year temporary position with a possible one-year extension
Work time: Full time
Start date: By agreement, but preferably no later than August-September 2019
Number of positions: 2

Application

Application deadline: February 4, 2019
Employer's reference: J-2018-3169

Applications are submitted via the KTH recruitment system at https://kth.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:244251/. Note that applicants are responsible for that applications are complete as per the instructions below. Complete applications must be received by KTH by midnight CET at the date of the application deadline.

The application should include the following documents:

1. Curriculum vitae.
2. List of publications.
3. Brief research statement with description of research so far and future research goals and interests.
4. Copy of PhD diploma (if applicable).
5. Names and addresses of three or more individuals who will provide letters of recommendation.

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

Writers of recommendation letters should submit their letters directly to apc@eecs.kth.se by the application deadline. Please state the reference number J-2018-3169 in the subject line.

Further Information and Contact Details

Enquiries about the research project can be made via e-mail to apc@eecs.kth.se or by phone to the numbers below:

Johan Håstad, Professor
Phone: +46 8 790 62 89

Jakob Nordström, Associate Professor
Phone: +46 8 790 69 19

Per Austrin, Associate Professor
Phone: +46 8 790 62 86

For enquiries about employment at KTH, please contact:

Ayda Ghabil, HR Officer
E-mail: ghabil@kth.se