PhD Position in Parameterized Algorithms: Developing More Efficient Parameterized Algorithms to Tackle a Wide Range of Computational Hard Problems

The Position:

The Algorithms group in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Sheffield (UK) is offering a fully funded 3 year PhD studentship on the development of Parameterized Algorithms for Problems in Artificial Intelligence and Logic.

Parameterized Complexity is a vastly growing area within theoretical computer science that allows for the development of exact algorithms for computational hard problems that exploit the structuredness of real-world instances. The goal of this project is to develop more efficient parameterized algorithms for a wide range of problems in computer science such as satisfiability of propositional formulas, constraint satisfaction, integer linear programming, as well as problems from graph theory and machine learning with the help of sophisticated algorithmic techniques such as meta-theorems, dynamic programming, decompositions, and backdoor sets.

The start date of the PhD is flexible.

The candidate will be supervised by Dr. Sebastian Ordyniak.

Candidate Requirements:

Prospective candidates are expected to have at least a good honours degree (2.1 or above) or a Master´s degree in Computer Science or Mathematics. The studentship requires good background knowledge in Theoretical Computer Science, discrete mathematics related to computer science and algorithm design.

Funding Notes:

This fully funded studentship is open to UK or EU students, and provides a tax-free living allowance at the standard Research Council rate (£14,777 p.a. for 2018/19) and full student tuition fees for three years.

How to Apply:

Applicants should apply using the University of Sheffield online application system:
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply/applying

Applicants should list Dr Sebastian Ordyniak as the potential supervisor.

Informal enquiries should be directed to: Dr Sebastian Ordyniak ([Email Address Removed])

The Department of Computer Science, within the Faculty of Engineering, was established in 1982 and has since attained an international reputation for its research and teaching. In REF2014, the Department was ranked 5th out of 89 computer science departments in the UK, indicating that the large majority of our research is nationally or internationally leading. Further information about the Department can be found at http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/dcs.