Up to two PhD positions at the intersection of Formal Verification and Planning

What if you could design systems that not only follow instructions — but understand intent and guarantee correct behavior over time?

We are looking for up to two PhD students who want to explore the interface between formal verification and automated planning. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to safer, more intelligent systems through a combination of theoretical work and practical implementation.

About the project

Reactive synthesis refers to the automatic generation of programs from high-level behavioral specifications. This approach plays an increasingly important role in areas such as reinforcement learning, robotics, and the development of reactive software systems. It enables the creation of robust, reliable programs by specifying what a system should do, while automatically deriving how it should do it — with high assurance.

Our project aims to integrate Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) and the Planning Domain Definition Language (PDDL) to build a more expressive and efficient framework for reactive synthesis. This allows us to describe dynamic behaviors in complex environments over time.

You will work with formal tools such as:

• Planning domains and temporal logic — to describe the required behavior of programs at a high level.
• Automata theory — to manipulate logical formulas and domain representations.
• Two-player games — to reason about strategies and synthesized programs.

The work involves theoretical research, algorithm design, and the development of software tools that demonstrate the applicability of the new methods.

Research environment

The positions are hosted by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)Chalmers University of Technology University of Gothenburg

You will be part of the Computing Science Division

The appointed candidates will also join a vibrant community of over 140 PhD students at CSE. Your main supervisor will be Prof. Nir Piterman, with support from a co-supervisor and an examiner. Supervision is structured to guide your academic development, with regular evaluations to support your progress.

These PhD positions are full-time employment with a competitive monthly salary and full social benefits (e.g., parental leave and compensation for sick leave) for up to five years. There are no tuition fees for PhD studies at Chalmers.

Equality and inclusion

Chalmers is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive and diverse research environment. We especially encourage women and other underrepresented groups in computer science and engineering to apply.

Our department is part of GENIE – Gender Initiative for Excellence

All qualified candidates are welcome to apply, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, national origin, or ethnicity.

WASP and the graduate school

These positions are funded by the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP

As part of WASP, you will also be enrolled in its graduate school, which provides:

• Advanced courses in interdisciplinary areas,
• Research visits and collaborations with national and international universities,
• Guest lectures and networking opportunities with academia and industry,
• A strong, cross-disciplinary PhD student network.

WASP is Sweden’s largest individual research program ever, a major national initiative for strategically motivated basic research, education and faculty recruitment. The program addresses research on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems acting in collaboration with humans, adapting to their environment through sensors, information and knowledge, and forming intelligent systems-of-systems. The vision of WASP is excellent research and competence in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software for the benefit of Swedish society and industry. 

The graduate school within WASP is dedicated to provide the skills needed to analyze, develop, and contribute to the interdisciplinary area of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software. Through an ambitious program with research visits, partner universities, and visiting lecturers, the graduate school actively supports forming a strong multi-disciplinary and international professional network between PhD-students, researchers and industry.

Duties and responsibilities

 As a PhD student, your main responsibility is to conduct high-quality research and develop the skills necessary for an academic or industry research career. This includes:

• Conducting original research in formal methods and automated planning.
• Reading and reviewing scientific literature.
• Writing and publishing academic papers.
• Presenting your work at conferences and seminars.
• Taking doctoral courses that complement your background.
• Participating in collaborative research within the department and through WASP.

You will also contribute to the department by assisting in teaching activities, which make up approximately 20% of your working time.

Qualifications

To be eligible for a PhD position, you must:

• Hold, by the starting date, a Master's-level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in Computer Science and Engineering or a related area.

We also consider strong applications from candidates with a 4-year Bachelor's degree.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Previous experience in formal verification, logic, or planning.
• Solid mathematical foundations in theoretical computer science.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English.

Swedish is not required for this position. Chalmers offers free language courses for those interested in learning Swedish and integrating further into society.

Contract terms
Full-time employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Please note: Physical presence is required throughout the entire study period. A valid residence permit must be presented by the study start date; otherwise, admission may be withdrawn.

Life in Gothenburg

Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city, is known for its coastal location, high quality of life, and international atmosphere.

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step, and a good work-life balance is important for students throughout their employment. To give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner, in addition to the links above, please visit:

https://www.movetogothenburg.com/

What we offer

• Full-time employment with a starting salary of 34,550 SEK per month (valid from May 25, 2025) and full social benefits (e.g., parental leave, sick leave). Read more about working at Chalmers benefits
• No tuition fees for PhD studies at Chalmers.
• 80% of your time dedicated to research and 20% to departmental duties, such as teaching assistantship. These duties can be scheduled flexibly over the year.
• Supportive, inclusive, and equality-focused work culture. 
• Opportunities for national and international collaboration.

Application process

Your application must be written in English and include:

• A cover letter (max 2 pages) that clearly outlines your motivation, qualifications, and fit for the position. If you have not yet completed your qualifying degree, please state when you expect to do so.
• A CV with links to relevant work such as theses, publications, or projects.
• Copies of degree certificates and transcripts with grades.

Selection process

• Shortly after the deadline, suitable candidates will be contacted by the supervisor.
• You should be prepared to present a previous project (e.g., Master's thesis) on short notice — within about a week.

• Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a small take-home assignment related to the project.
• Interviews may include discussions about the assignment and other relevant topics.

Application deadline: 2025-08-15

Contact

For questions regarding the position, contact:

Prof. Nir Piterman
Email: piterman@chalmers.se

  *** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.
Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.

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