Friday, August 25, 2017

[DMANET] Full-Time PhD Position in Combinatorial Optimization at University Clermont Auvergne, France

The Computer Science, Modeling, and System Optimization research
Laboratory (LIMOS – UMR CNRS 6158) at the University Clermont Auvergne,
Clermont-Ferrand, France, invites applications for a full-time PhD
position in Combinatorial Optimization. 

The position is funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) for
three years and is related to the research project "Optimal Routing and
Spectrum Assignment of Realistic FlexGrid Elastic Optical Networks"
(FLEXOPTIM) led by Dr. Hervé Kerivin from LIMOS. The FLEXOPTIM project
aims at developing efficient off-line/on-line algorithms for the Routing
and Spectrum Assignment (RSA) problem on large-scale Spectrally Flexible
Optical Networks (SFONs) and at integrating them into a global
Software-Defined Networking (SDN) framework. This interdisciplinary
project brings together experts in mathematical optimization from LIMOS
and experts in optical-network architecture and control from the
Institut Mines-Telecom (IMT-Atlantique, formerly Telecom Bretagne) in
Brest, France. An explicit collaboration with Orange Labs is planned
during the project.

The PhD research project involves investigating the combinatorial and
optimization aspects of the RSA problem, developing algorithms to solve
realistic large-size instances of such a problem, and playing an active
role in the assessment of the functionality and efficiency of the
devised methods on a dedicated Orange-Labs platform. The successful
applicant must have a strong background in applied mathematics and
computer science. We are seeking an exceptionally talented and
motivated student with a good knowledge in theoretical and experimental
mathematical optimization such as combinatorial optimization, polyhedral
combinatorics, decomposition methods for large-scale problems, and
optimization under uncertainty, as well as skills in C/C++ programming
language; some experience with optimization software such as Cplex and
Gurobi would be an asset. Given the field of application of the
research project, a genuine interest in networking is required.  

The PhD candidate will work in the Combinatorial and Continuous
Optimization team of LIMOS under the supervision of Dr. Hervé Kerivin. 
He/she will also work closely with researchers from IMT-Atlantique where
regular meetings will be held. The successful applicant is expected to
carry out cutting-edge research, deliver presentations at international
conferences, and publish in top-tier journals and conference
proceedings.  The PhD scholarship includes a competitive salary and
travel support.  In addition, a teaching assistantship with extra
payment may be available.  Throughout the three years, the PhD candidate
will be provided with specialized scientific and career development
training offered by the Doctoral School of Engineering Sciences at
University Clermont Auvergne.

The earliest start date is November 01, 2017 but the position will
remain open until an appropriate candidate is found.  Applicants must
have earned a master's degree in Operations Research, Applied
Mathematics, Computer Science, or related fields by the start date of
the position.  Besides the aforementioned scientific requirements, the
successful applicant must demonstrate a high level of proficiency in
spoken and written English.  Knowledge of French is not required but
would be an asset.
Review of applications will begin in early October 2017 and will
continue until the position is filled.  Applications received by October
15, 2017 will be given full consideration.  Applications must contain
1) A cover letter,
2) A curriculum vitae or resume,
3) Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts,
4) A 1-2 page research statement describing how the applicant's
qualifications and research interests would fit the project,
5) A copy of the applicant's master's thesis,
6) Up to three publications if it applies,
7) The names and contact information of academic references, one of
which should be the applicant's master's thesis supervisor.
All application materials must be submitted in English to Dr. Hervé
Kerivin at kerivin@isima.fr with the subject line "FLEXOPTIM PhD
scholarship (applicant's name)", preferably as a single PDF file.  If
the original academic transcripts are not in French or English, the
translated transcripts must have the university's official stamp on
them.

If you have further questions regarding this position, please contact
Dr. Hervé Kerivin at kerivin@isima.fr with the subject line "FLEXOPTIM
PhD scholarship".

**********************************************************
*
* Contributions to be spread via DMANET are submitted to
*
* DMANET@zpr.uni-koeln.de
*
* Replies to a message carried on DMANET should NOT be
* addressed to DMANET but to the original sender. The
* original sender, however, is invited to prepare an
* update of the replies received and to communicate it
* via DMANET.
*
* DISCRETE MATHEMATICS AND ALGORITHMS NETWORK (DMANET)
* http://www.zaik.uni-koeln.de/AFS/publications/dmanet/
*
**********************************************************