PhD Positions
Several PhD positions in theoretical computer science and discrete mathematics are available at the School of Computer Science of Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University, Prague. The positions are hosted at the Computer Science Institute of Charles University, Department of Applied Mathematics, and Department of Theoretical Computer Science and Mathematical Logic. Applications are invited from candidates who have a strong background in computer science and/or mathematics and complete their MSc. degree by summer 2024.
Starting date: Fall 2024.
The School of Computer Science hosts active research groups in many areas of discrete mathematics and computer science, including
- algorithms and complexity,
- discrete geometry and computational topology,
- combinatorics and graph theory,
- artificial intelligence, and
- operations research, optimization, computational social choice.
See the links above for prospective PhD advisors in each area. To get a better idea of what we work on, here is a partial list of recent grant projects solved at the School of Computer Science:
- DiGeo: Fundamental questions of discrete geometry
- H2020-MSCA-RISE CoSP: Combinatorial Structures and Processes
- DYNASNET: Dynamics and Structure of Networks
- EPAC: Efficient approximation algorithms and circuit complexity
- Combinatorial and computational complexity in topology and geometry
- Flows and cycles in graphs on surfaces
- Efficient and Realistic Models for Computational Social Choice
- Principles of combinatorial generation
- Global sensitivity analysis and stability in optimization problems
- Evolutionary graph theory: beyond fixation probability
- New challenges in streaming, online, and combinatorial algorithms
Funding:
For the study's usual duration, the School guarantees a total net income of at least 26,000 CZK/month to doctoral students. Funding from the second year on is conditioned on the PhD candidate's good progress towards his/her degree based on a yearly evaluation of doctoral students. The income consists of:
- Base scholarship: All PhD students will receive for the 4-year duration of their studies a state-guaranteed stipend of net 11,000 CZK/month, which increases to net 12,500 CZK/month in the second year and finally to net 14,500 CZK/month after passing the state doctoral exam (commonly during the second year of the studies).
- School and grant supplements: Additionally to the base scholarship, the School of Computer Science guarantees to the students net 16,000 CZK/month during the first year and net 13,000 CZK/month during the second, third, and fourth years based on employment as a teaching and research assistant. The supplement from the School can be further increased by funding from a research project of the student's advisor.
Students have the possibility to apply for additional funds for salary and travel at the Grant Agency of Charles University.
PhD students can take advantage of subsidized meals, discounted public transport, the possibility of staying in student dormitories, and free "Czech as foreign language" classes. The national health insurance scheme covers our doctoral students. There are no tuition or fees for PhD students. The price level in Prague can be estimated at Numbeo.
Application:
The application should indicate the area of interest and contain:
- a short letter of motivation (research statement),
- a professional CV,
- a letter of recommendation,
- transcripts of all courses and grades,
- copies of academic certificates (Bc and MSc, if available),
- other optional materials, e.g., copies of English language certificates if available, published papers, etc.
Application deadline: January 31, 2024.
The application and a letter of recommendation should be sent electronically to positions@iuuk.mff.cuni.cz. The referees can send their letters directly to the indicated email. In both cases, make sure that the name of the applicant is contained in the subject. Inquiries about the positions can be directed to prof. Zdeněk Dvořák (rakdver@iuuk.mff.cuni.cz) or the appropriate advisors.
