项目介绍

2025年4月16日

This is a broad call for five fully-funded PhD positions in computer science and engineering to work on machine learning, autonomous systems, software engineering, formal methods, and network security in the projects:  

• Reducing waste in tabular machine learning by generalizing out-of-table (F. Johansson)
• Using LLMs to Augment Software Test Suites (G. Gay)
• Adaptive Runtime Monitoring for AI-Based Autonomy (H. Torfah, D. Dubhashi)
• Secure Networks for Distributed AI Training (M. Tran)
• Symbolic Reactive Synthesis on Planning Domains (N. Piterman).

About the research project and department
The department of Computer Science and Engineering is strongly international, with approximately 300 employees from over 50 countries. The department is a fully integrated department with the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology as principals. The department is organized into four divisions: Data Science and AI, Computer Networks and Systems, Computing Science, and Interaction Design and Software Engineering. Each student will be posted in an appropriate division with Chalmers University of Technology as the employer.  

The appointed candidates will join a large student body comprising over 140 PhD students in the department. Every appointed candidate will work with one of the five PIs 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. 

These PhD positions are full-time employment with a competitive monthly salary and full social benefits (e.g., parental leave and compensation for sick leave) for up to five years. There are no tuition fees for PhD studies at Chalmers. 

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. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply regardless of age, gender, religion, country of origin, or ethnicity. 

These positions are supported by the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP). WASP is Sweden’s largest individual research program ever, a major national initiative for strategically motivated basic research, education and faculty recruitment. The program addresses research on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems acting in collaboration with humans, adapting to their environment through sensors, information and knowledge, and forming intelligent systems-of-systems. The vision of WASP is excellent research and competence in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software for the benefit of Swedish society and industry.  

Information about the position

Each of the following projects invites applicants to work within the project and under the guidance of the respective supervisor. Applicants apply to work within a specific project and with the project’s supervisor. Applicants may choose one additional project that they would also be interested in. Appointed candidates will work within one of their requested projects.

A list of supervisors and project titles are available below:

The details of research proposals can also be found here: Project Summaries 

Who we are looking forWe seek candidates with the following qualifications:

• To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master’s level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in computer science and engineering, or another field relevant to your chosen research area. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English

What you will do
The positions come with enrollment in our PhD program, designed for 5 years. As a PhD student, you acquire the skills and knowledge to conduct independent research, culminating in writing a scientific dissertation contributing to the development of knowledge in the subject area.  In addition to devoting 80% of your working time to performing research, the remaining 20% of your working time is devoted to departmental duties, such as helping as a teaching assistant in courses offered by the university. Those duties can be concentrated on certain parts of the year depending on the needs of the business in consultation with the students. 

More specifically, appointed candidates will read, review, and write research papers (a.k.a academic articles); give presentations; take courses that complement their background; 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 of experienced researchers. 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.  

Successful candidates will be enrolled, in addition to the department’s PhD program, to the WASP graduate school. The graduate school within WASP is dedicated to provide the skills needed to analyze, develop, and contribute to the interdisciplinary area of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software. Through an ambitious program with research visits, partner universities, and visiting lecturers, the graduate school actively supports forming a strong multi-disciplinary and international professional network between PhD-students, researchers and industry. 

You will also:

• Take courses at an advanced level within the Graduate school of Computer Science and Engineering.
• Develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing

Contract terms and what we offer

• The PhD-positions are fully funded from start
• As a PhD student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
• The position is limited to four years, with the possibility to teach up to 20%, which extends the position to five years.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
• A starting salary of 34,550 SEK per month (valid from May 25, 2025).

Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.

Swedish is not a pre-requisite for applying. If you wish to learn Swedish, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to support your integration in Swedish society.

Discover more
Find more general information about doctoral studies at Chalmers here. 

Application procedure
The application is to be written in English, and must include the following materials: 

• As part of the application form, 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 projects they apply to. Cover letters exceeding two pages often indicate that the letter is too lengthy and not focused. In the case of candidates who have not completed their required qualifications, the letter should include a clear statement as to their expectations to complete their qualifications. 

• 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 the student passed and their grades. 

The interview and assessment process will include:

Shortlisting

• Shortly after the application deadline, suitable candidates will be contacted by the respective supervisors. 
• Candidates should be ready to present a previous project at a master level within at a short notice of about a week. 

Interview

• Shortlisted candidates may be asked prior to the interview to complete a small take-home assignment related to the project they have selected. 
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to one or more interviews, which may include a discussion of their assignment, if applicable, and other relevant questions. 

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered.

Application deadline: May 15, 2025

For questions:
If you have specific questions about particular projects, contact details are included in each project description. Please contact the supervisor of that particular project. 

If you have questions regarding employment, application procedures, and positions: Sanna Staf (sanna.staf@cse.gu.se)  

If you have general questions regarding the PhD positions: Gregory Gay (ggay@chalmers.se) 

We look forward to your application!