PhD Position Systematic Derivation of Formal Languages and Their Correctness

Delft University of Technology via AcademicTransfer; Nederland; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

8.3% end-of-year bonus

Customisable compensation package

Job summary

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) invites applications for a Doctoral researcher to work on the derivation of formal languages from semantics, using category theory and type theory. You will verify results in the Agda proof assistant under the supervision of Dr.

Benedikt Ahrens in the Department of Software Technology. The position includes research and teaching opportunities, collaboration in TU Delft's maths/CS community, and dissemination through seminars and conferences.

Qualifications

• Masters degree in mathematics, computer science, or a related field.
• Experience in category theory or theoretical CS (e.g., type theory, logic, semantics) or ability to learn them.
• Experience with a proof assistant (e.g., Agda, Rocq or Lean) is a plus.
• Enjoyment of precise mathematical reasoning.
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate across the maths/CS boundary.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Willingness to contribute to, and possibly supervise and teach students.

Responsibilities

• Conducting research individually and as part of a team.
• Participating in scientific life at TU Delft and in the Netherlands (seminars, etc.).
• Participating in scientific life globally (papers, workshops, conferences).
• Contributing to teaching in computer science to gain teaching experience.

Skills

Excellent written English

Independent work

Team collaboration across maths/CS

Teaching willingness

Teaching experience willingness

Education

Masters degree in mathematics, computer science, or related field

Tools

Agda

Rocq

Lean

Job description

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Organisation/Company Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) Research Field Computer science » Programming Computer science » Informatics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 29 Nov 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 38.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

From Semantics to Syntax — Systematic Derivation of Formal Languages and Their Correctness Job descriptionFormal languages, such as type theories and program logics, let us state and prove precisely what software should do. Today, each new language is designed by hand: experts invent the syntax, then check that it really means what it should. This is slow, and it has to be redone for every new problem. This project explores a different approach: start from the mathematical meaning of a language and derive the language itself from it, together with a proof that the two match. Several recent type theories were built this way, but each one with its own ad hoc techniques. Together, we want to find out whether there is one general recipe behind them. You will develop this theory using tools from category theory and type theory, and check your results in the Agda proof assistant. You will be supervised by Dr. Benedikt Ahrens in the Department of Software Technology at TU Delft.

• conducting this research, both individually and as part of a team;
• participating in scientific life at TU Delft and in the Netherlands, for example by attending and organizing seminars;
• participating in scientific life more globally, including publishing papers and attending workshops and conferences;
• contributing to teaching in computer science, providing the opportunity to gain teaching experience.

Job requirementsApplications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Masters degree in mathematics, computer science, or a related field
• Experience in both category theory and theoretical computer science (e.g., type theory, logic or programming language semantics), or a strong motivation and ability to learn them.
• Experience with a proof assistant (e.g., Agda, Rocq or Lean) is a plus, but not required.
• Enjoyment of precise mathematical reasoning,
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate across the maths/CS boundary;
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Willingness to contribute to, and possibly experience in, student supervision and teaching

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment. Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3204 - €4051 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service , offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Benedikt Ahrens, via [e-mail] .