PhD student in in Scientific Computing focusing on Energy-Efficient Algorithmic Solutions

Are you interested in working in the area of energy-efficient scientific computing, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favorable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a PhD position at Uppsala University. 

The Department of Information Technology holds a leading position in both research and education at all levels. We are currently Uppsala University's third largest department, have around 350 employees, including 120 teachers and 120 PhD students. Approximately 5,000 undergraduate students take one or more courses at the department each year. You can find more information about us on the Department of Information Technology website.

The PhD position is hosted by the Division of Scientific Computing and specifically within the Numerical Linear Algebra group that currently consists of 5 faculty and few PhD students that are working on different aspects of algorithmic solutions from proofs to implementation and mixed-precision optimization. Beyond technical collaborations, the group meets regularly and provides an engaging and supportive environment.

Project description
With the rise of exascale computing and the explosion of data-intensive applications, the demand for faster, more energy-efficient algorithms has never been greater. Fundamental kernels and solvers—key components that power large-scale simulations and data analyses—can consume a significant portion of computational resources. While parallelization has traditionally been used to accelerate computations and tackle larger problems, it often compromises certain numerical properties, presenting a complex and exciting challenge: How can we retain accuracy while pushing the boundaries of performance?

The goal is to develop next-generation, energy-efficient algorithmic solutions tailored to data-intensive applications. You will work at the intersection of numerical analysis, computer arithmetic, and algorithm design to create methods that balance speed, accuracy, and energy consumption. Concretely, the work will focus on 1) reformulating key algorithms for greater efficiency, 2) leveraging state-of-the-art computer arithmetic tools to ensure numerical accuracy, and 3) developing practical solutions using mixed- and arbitrary-precision techniques that drive down energy usage in large-scale applications.

Duties
A Ph.D. student is expected to devote their time to graduate education mainly. The rest of the duties may involve teaching at the department, including also some administration, to at most 20%.

Requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies, you must

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree in applied mathematics, computational science or a related field, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

Information about the specific entry requirements can be found in the study syllabus for the subject Ämnen - Uppsala universitet (uu.se) 

We are looking for candidates with

• a strong mathematical background and interest in numerical linear algebra, programming language techniques or numerical verification,
• good programming (preferably Fortran, C/C++, GPU) and problem-solving skills,
• excellent communication skills with sufficient proficiency in oral and written English,
• ability to work well both on their own and with others in a diverse group.

Additional qualifications
Experience and courses in one or more subjects are valued: numerical linear algebra, parallel programming, GPU programming, numerical analysis, program verification.

Application
The application must include: 

1. a statement (at most 2 pages) of the applicant’s motivation for applying for this position, that should additionally include: a) the candidate’s research interests, b) evidence of the applicant’s self-motivation and ability to work in a group, and c) a summary of their MSc thesis or a comparable major project; 
2. a CV;
3. degrees and transcript of records with grades (translated to English or Swedish); 
4. the Master’s thesis (or a draft thereof, and/or some other self-produced technical or scientific text), publications, and other relevant documents; 
5. contact information for at least one reference (but no reference letter).
6. the earliest possible starting date. 

Promising applicants will be invited for an interview before hiring.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1 November 2024 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Associate Professor Roman Iakymchuk, e-mail: roman.iakymchuk@it.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 3 October 2024, UFV-PA 2024/3056.

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