PhD student in Optimisation

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Your work assignments

As a PhD student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and research as part of the group Mathematics and Algorithms for intelligent decision-making (https://liu.se/en/research/mathematics-and-algorithms-for-intelligent-decision-making) with Elina Rönnberg as main supervisor. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20% of full-time.

The major task for this position is research in Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP). The purpose of this PhD-thesis project is to develop new mathematical theory and algorithm components to improve the computational performance of optimisation methods used in combination with Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition. The research will be carried out in collaboration with RWTH Aachen University and the GCG development team, with Marco Lübbecke as co-supervisor https://www.or.rwth-aachen.de/en/staff.html

This position includes admission in 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. Read more: https://wasp-sweden.org/graduate-school/

Your workplace

You will be a PhD student in the subject area Optimisation at the division for Applied Mathematics (TIMA) - Linköping University (liu.se). The division also includes the subject areas Computational Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics. https://liu.se/en/organisation/liu/mai/tima

The Optimisation Group at the Department of Mathematics at Linköping University has a long tradition of being one of the most notable groups in Scandinavia. The group includes two full professors, two senior associate professors, and one assistant lecturer. A characteristic of the group is that we address fundamental mathematical and algorithmic topics within optimisation as well as a variety of applications. The optimisation expertise includes linear, network, nonlinear, and discrete optimisation, and especially techniques using duality and decomposition. Current application areas are within medicine, healthcare, systems engineering, logistics, and transportation.

At Linköping University, mathematical optimisation is taught in almost all engineering programmes, and we offer a wide range of courses on both Bachelor and Master level. There are several active research projects, some focused on basic science while others are more applied or interdisciplinary. The group participates in important strategic research programmes such as WASP https://wasp-sweden.org/ and ELLIIT https://elliit.se and have research projects together with strong industrial partners.

Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (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.

Read more: https://wasp-sweden.org/

Your qualifications

You have graduated at Master’s level or completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses relevant to the areas given above in the desription of work assignments.These 60 credits must include independent work of least 30 credits in the area of applied mathematics. Alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way.

Of particular merit for this position is knowledge in MILP and experience in software development and implementation of algorithms for solving mathematical problems. Of merit is a strong educational background in terms of good grades in mathematics, optimisation, and programming as part of the Bachelor and/or Master education.

You need to have a strong interest in the research area and you must be motivated to gain new knowledge and do research. You are expected to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate with others. A strong ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing, is a requirement. You must provide a diploma of your bachelor and master before an employment agreement can be signed.

The employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University

The employment has a duration of four years’ full-time equivalent. You will initially be employed for a period of one year. The employment will subsequently be renewed for periods of maximum duration two years, depending on your progress through the study plan. The employment may be extended up to a maximum of five years, based on the amount of teaching and departmental duties you have carried out. Further extensions can be granted in special circumstances.

Starting date 

By agreement. 

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than June 4th 2024.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody's equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities.




We look forward to receiving your application!





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