PhD position in Reversible Programming Languages (MSCA Doctoral Network E-CoRe, DC1), University of Copenhagen
KU
Stand out for this role — generate a tailored resume and cover letter in about a minute.
Job summary
The University of Copenhagen is offering a 3-year PhD position in reversible programming languages as part of the MSCA E-CoRe network. The successful candidate will work within the PLTC section of the Department of Computer Science and contribute to a vibrant international research environment.
The project focuses on language design, semantics, and integration with mainstream languages, with opportunities for secondments and publishing in leading venues.
Qualifications
- Master of Science in Computer Science or closely related field; mastered English for communication.
- Strong academic record and motivation for doctoral research.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English.
Responsibilities
- Advance reversible programming languages with a view to expressiveness and applicability to reversible algorithms.
- Study integration of reversible features into mainstream irreversible languages.
- Explore domain-specific features to identify novel language idioms for reversible programming.
- Publish results at international conferences and in peer‑reviewed journals.
Skills
Education
Job description
PhD position in Reversible Programming Languages (MSCA Doctoral Network E-CoRe, DC1), University of Copenhagen The position is doctoral candidate DC1, “Reversible Programming Languages", in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network E-CoRe. The position is available from 1 January 2027, or after agreement.
The Programming Languages and Theory of Computation (PLTC) Section, part of the Department of Computer Science (DIKU), University of Copenhagen, invites applications for a 3-year PhD position on reversible programming languages.
The position is funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) programme, grant agreement no. 101120187. The project advances the science and practice of reversible computing for a sustainable digital future. Energy is a main concern in society: IT accounts for an estimated 10% of global energy consumption. Reversible computation discards no information and therefore avoids the fundamental energy lower bound of conventional computing. The network trains a cohort of doctoral candidates who will improve and popularize reversible languages, algorithms, and architectures for energy-intensive applications. Read more about the network at https://e-core.nws.cs.unibo.it/ .
The position is open for talented candidates with a master’s degree, who want to pursue a PhD degree in Computer Science.
The successful PhD candidate will work on reversible programming languages. The candidate can build on the work by project members.
- Advancing reversible programming languages with a view on increasing their expressiveness and applicability to the development and construction of non-trivial reversible algorithms.
- Studying the integration of reversible features into mainstream irreversible languages.
- Exploring domain-specific features to identify novel language idioms specific to reversible programming and applications developed elsewhere in the network.
- Publishing the results at international conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.
Planned secondments: CNRS / Université Côte d'Azur (France), University of Southern Denmark (Denmark), and Tokai National Higher Education and Research System (Japan).
The candidate must have a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish Master's degree) in Computer Science or a closely related field, obtained by the recruitment date.
Certified copy of original Master of Science diploma and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in a language other than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
Please note that we might ask you to obtain an assessment of your education performed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science.
- Strong academic record and motivation for doctoral research.
- Experience in programming language design, semantics, or implementation, regardless of programming paradigm, is an advantage. Prior knowledge of reversible computing is not needed.
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, and collaborate effectively in an international research environment. Proactive and team-oriented approach to work.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English.
- Willingness and ability to travel and undertake secondments at other project partners.
The successful candidate will be employed as a PhD student at the Department of Computer Science at the Faculty of Sciences, University of Copenhagen, and will collaborate closely with the group at the University of Southern Denmark, Odense, which is also an E-CoRe partner. The position may involve co-supervising related student projects. The PhD student is expected to participate in the activities of the research section and in the training programme of the E-CoRe network.
The main supervisor is Professor Robert Glück (e-mail: glueck@di.ku.dk ), whose current research focus is on programming languages, reversible computing, program generation, and metaprogramming.
The successful candidate will conduct independent research related to the topics above at the Programming Languages and Theory of Computation (PLTC) Section, Department of Computer Science (DIKU). We expect the candidate to engage in an active research environment and take part in student guidance.
The researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her/their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Short stays as holidays and compulsory military service and/or Refugee Convention 1951 are disregarded.
The recruited DC must be doctoral candidate, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree on the first day of employment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
The Programming Languages and Theory of Computation (PLTC) Section is part of the Department of Computer Science (DIKU) at the Faculty of Science, located on the North Campus in Copenhagen. At the section we research topics such as algorithmic aspects of programming, compiler technology, functional programming, reversible and quantum computing. You will be part of an international group of PhD students, postdocs, and faculty working at the intersection of programming languages, theory of computing, and various applications.
Salary, pension and terms of employment will be in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organization. Currently, the monthly salary starts at DKK 31,845 / approx. EUR 4,260 (August 2026-level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 18.07 % to your pension fund. The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2025.
Your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
- CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
- Master of Science diploma and transcript of records. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor will do.
- Publication list (if any).
Sunday 1 November 2026, 23:59 PM CET.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the above-mentioned requirements.
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee which will consist of both internal (UCPH) and external members. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed, each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.
The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
Department of Computer Science
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
