PhD fellowships in "Parallel functional programming” and"Systems- level language-based security" Department of Computer Science, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen
The section for Programming Languages and the Theory of Computation (PLTC) at the Department of Computer Science invites applicants for PhD fellowships in two areas: data parallel programming languages broadly construed (including design, implementation, theoretical aspects, and parallel algorithms), and the intersection of systems-level security and formal aspects of computer science (e.g., verification, type systems, programming languages, language-based security, formal methods, logic and so on). When applying, please indicate which areas are of interest to you (which can be both).
Start date is (expected to be) 1 June 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The projects
Project A: Parallel programming on modern massively parallel processors such as GPUs is notoriously difficult and awkward for humans, particularly for irregular problems or those with nested structure. At DIKU, we are a small team that researches programming and compilation techniques for making high-performance parallel programming more accessible to non-specialist programmers. We conduct applied research with a focus on actual real-world performance on mainstream hardware, and we use the functional array language Futhark (https: // futhark-lang.org) and its implementation as our main experimental vessel. The precise research problems to be investigated by the PhD candidate depends on the interests of the candidate, but we are particularly interested in problems such as:
At a basic level, our research consists of developing a strong idea, and then demonstrating the applicability of the idea by implementing it in a practically usable compiler or tool. For more information, feel free to contact Troels Henriksen ([email protected]).
Project B: Systems-level security is a challenging field, particularly because it is often difficult to fully ensure the absence of errors. For example, modern operating systems use kernel extensions provided by users to add functionalities like network filters and performance tracking. These extensions, while useful, can pose significant security risks as they run with high privileges, potentially affecting the entire system or can access sensitive information. At DIKU, we are a small group that researches programming-language techniques and formal methods for improving systems-level security. We conduct both applied research and theoretical work, with Open Source software such as the Linux kernel as one of our main interests.
The specific research areas for the PhD candidate will align with their interests. However, we're particularly keen on exploring topics such as:
Our research typically involves developing a solid idea and demonstrating its practical application, either through a usable tool or a proof-of-concept. For more information, feel free to contact Ken Friis Larsen ([email protected]).
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of computer science and software engineering. Applicants can have a background from programming language design and implementation, systems-level software, or computer security. Knowledge of programming language theory (e.g. type systems) or formal methods (e.g. theorem prover mechanization or model checking) is also welcome.
Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The FUTHARK group and the systems-level security research group are part of the PLTC section at the Department of Computer Science (DIKU), Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen
The PLTC section more generally conducts research in programming language technology and in the theory of computation. Much of our work involves topics in the intersection of programming language theory (e.g., algorithmic aspects of programming and formal verification), and applications (e.g., computer security and privacy, systems, compiler technology, high-performance computing, distributed ledger technology, and fintech).
The group is a part of Department of Computer Science (DIKU), Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.
We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and computer infrastructure.
Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Ken Friis Larsen ([email protected]).
The PhD programme
Depending on your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either:
Option A: A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master's degree.
Option B: An up to five year full-time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree – but you have an education equivalent to a Danish bachelors´s degree.
Option A: Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme
Qualifications needed for the regular programme To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master's degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Computer Science or Software Engineering. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of employment in the regular programme Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.
Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
The terms of employment and salary are in accordance to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme
Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme
If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree , you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of the integrated programme To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty's master programmes in Computer Science.
Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.
The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years, and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: www. science.ku.dk/phd, “Study Structures”.
Until the MSc degree is obtained, (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), the grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totalling a workload of at least 150 working hours per year. A PhD grant portion is DKK 6,243.
When you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes
We are looking for the following qualifications:
Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include :
Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 18 February 2024 , 23:59 GMT +1 .
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
The further process After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https: // employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held during week 13 and 14.
Questions For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.
General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School's website: https: // www. science.ku.dk/phd/.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.