Doctoral student in Computer Science with focus on Software Waste Detection and Reduction (PA2026/984)

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 46 000 students and 8 500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

As a doctoral student you will be employed at the Department of Computer Science in the Software Development and Environments unit. This unit focuses on development and evaluation of new technical designs for tools and languages for software development, as well as, the use and experience of using such tools and languages. The research methods used in this unit range from programming language design and benchmarking, to empirical software engineering and interaction design. The research is often conducted in industry-academia collaboration and cross-disciplinary initiatives, in which the doctoral student may conduct their studies. 

Particularly, this position is funded within the ELLIIT strategic research area (Excellence Center at Linköping – Lund in Information Technology) where a twin doctoral student project will address the same topic in a different software development context. The student will also be affiliated with the NEXTG2COM industrial competence center, in the research theme on Software Platforms and Continuous Engineering.

More about ELLIIT and the project at elliit.se
More about NextG2Com at nextg2com.lu.se

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University. 

As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

More about being a doctoral student at LTH on lth.se .

The study subject is computer science with focus on software technology supporting development of complex software systems from a sustainability perspective. Large-scale development of complex software systems, for example, cloud-edge systems, microservice architectures, or critical cyber-physical systems increasingly relies on automation to simultaneously improve productivity and quality. AI assistants based on large language models are actively used to partially automate tasks such as coding (e.g., Co-pilot, ChatGPT), quality control and code reviews. Moreover, such AI assistants are integrated into the toolstack of Development and Operations (DevOps) of software-intensive systems to continuously harness data collected during the entire lifecycle. In large-scale cloud-edge services, DevOps include many tools working together (e.g., build servers, code review, program analysis) to feed back information on change integration and operations to teams of developers. In complex software development of this kind there is a risk for software waste, e.g., when developers wait for DevOps results, when results are computed that are not needed, or too big AI models are used to compute results smaller models could compute instead. The aim of this project is to investigate how to detect and reduce software development waste in AI-assisted DevOps of complex software systems, with focus on cloud-edge systems.

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral programme, which includes participation in research projects as well as third cycle courses, seminars and conferences. Since the project is conducted in the context of the ELLIIT and NEXTG2COM initiatives, you will interact with corresponding academic and industrial partners.

The work duties include:

• Research within the project topic
• Collaboration with partners in ELLIIT and NEXTG2COM
• Participating in international research conferences
• Taking third cycle courses
• Participation in teaching and other departmental work (however, a maximum of 20% of working hours)

To be eligible for admission and employment as a doctoral student, you must fulfil the requirements below.

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant: 

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or 
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or 
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Computer Science if the applicant has: 

• at least 60 second-cycle credits at an advanced level with relevance for the research topic, or
• an M.Sc. in Engineering in Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Engineering Physics or Engineering Mathematics.

In order to complete the doctoral programme in question, the following are also required: 

• very good knowledge of English, spoken and written
• good written and oral communication skills
• good knowledge about software engineering, theory and practice
• good ability to cooperate
• ability to collaborate with industry partners
• good ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems. 
• very good programming skills

For the doctoral programme in question, the following are considered as other qualifications: 

• relevant industrial experience
• working experience as a software engineer
• knowledge of construction of software development tools
• knowledge of construction of AI systems
• knowledge of human-computer interaction

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.

More about working at Lund University on lu.se .

The employment is a fixed-term employment at full time, starting as soon as possible, however no later than 2026-12-15. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. In the case of teaching and other departmental duties, the employment is extended accordingly. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

More about terms of employment for doctoral students on Lund University’s Staffpages.  

Applications shall be written in English and include: 

• CV and a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the doctoral programme/employment and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. 
• Copies of issued study certificates and/or awarded degree certificates. These must confirm that you meet the general and specific admission requirements for the doctoral programme and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral programme project. 
• Other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.)

We welcome your application.