Start date 1 September 2026 (Or as soon as possible hereafter).
The deadline for applications is January 10, 2026, 23:59 GMT +1.
The project and the scientific environment
The PhD project is broadly within algorithms. The expectation is curiosity driven research in a highly collaborative environment. Using the power of mathematics, we strive to create fundamental breakthroughs in algorithmic thinking. We are currently ranked 1st in the EU in algorithms and complexity theory by CSrankings.org with a strong presence at top-tier conferences like STOC, FOCS, SODA, CCC and SoCG. We are home to the Basic Algorithms Research Copenhagen (BARC) centre (https://barc.ku.dk/), joint with the IT University of Copenhagen, and have extensive collaborations with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and with Lund University on the Swedish side of the Øresund Bridge, as well as with our many visitors. We aim to attract top talent from around the world to an ambitious, creative, collaborative, and fun environment. While our focus in on theoretical research, we do have a track record of surprising algorithmic discoveries leading to major industrial applications.
The University of Copenhagen was founded in 1479 and is the oldest and largest university in Denmark. It is often ranked as the best university in Scandinavia and consistently as one of the top places in Europe. Within computer science, it is ranked 1st in the European Union by ShanghaiRanking.
Principal supervisor is expected to be Associate Professor Mikkel Abrahamsen (miab@di.ku.dk, https://sites.google.com/view/mikkel-abrahamsen) or Professor Mikkel Thorup (mthorup@di.ku.dk, https://hjemmesider.diku.dk/~mthorup/). Candidates interested in working with other faculty from DIKU at the BARC center (https://barc.ku.dk/researchers/) are also encouraged to apply.
Who are we looking for?
To be eligible to apply for these positions, applicants need to have or be about to obtain either a BSc or an MSc degree (equivalent to a Danish BSc or MSc degree) in computer science, mathematics, or a related field. The successful candidates are expected to have a strong background and passionate interest in mathematics and theoretical computer science, as demonstrated by excellent grades in relevant courses, or by results at the Olympiads of Mathematics or Informatics, or by publications in relevant internationally recognized conferences or journals. Problem solving skills and creativity are a must.
Applicants need to be highly motivated for doctoral studies; should possess the ability to work independently and perform critical analysis and also have good levels of communicative abilities and English language skills.
The working language of the group is English, and knowledge of English is also fully sufficient to navigate life in Denmark in general. It might also be worth mentioning that Denmark routinely scores at the absolute top in rankings of quality of life such as, e.g., the OECD Better Life Index http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/.
See more and apply at:
https://employment.ku.dk/phd/?show=153212
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