PhD Opportunities at HPS

We regularly supervise PhD students working at the intersection of high-performance computing, data analytics, and scientific applications. Our research is driven by real scientific questions and practical challenges arising from large-scale data processing and complex computational workflows.

This page provides an overview of what we look for in PhD applicants and how to apply.

Find the list of available PhD topics here.

Successful PhD candidates at HPS typically combine strong scientific thinking with solid technical skills.

• Critical scientific reasoning
  • Ability to analyze problems, question assumptions, and work independently on complex research topics.

• Strong programming skills
  • Experience writing non-trivial code for scientific or technical purposes.

• Motivation for interdisciplinary research
  • Interest in working at the boundary between computer science, data analysis, and domain sciences (e.g., climate, weather, engineering, or similar fields).

• Good communication skills
  • Ability to explain ideas clearly, both in writing and in discussions.

Applicants should have experience in at least some of the following areas:

• Programming languages such as Python, C/C++, Java, or similar
• Working with Linux-based environments
• Version control systems (e.g. Git)
• Data analysis, numerical computing, or large-scale data processing
• Parallel or distributed computing (helpful, but not strictly required)

When applying, please include evidence of your programming experience.

We strongly encourage applicants to:

• Provide a link to a GitHub (or similar) repository containing representative code

(This can be a course project, research code, or a personal project.)

This allows us to better understand:

• Coding style and structure
• Code readability and documentation
• Problem-solving approach

Applications without any code examples are significantly harder for us to evaluate.

Specific PhD topics may be advertised on the Open Theses page. Some topics may remain listed for a longer time if they are part of ongoing research directions.

If you are unsure whether a listed topic is still active, or if you would like to propose your own research idea, you are welcome to contact us informally.

PhD positions may be funded through different channels, such as:

• Project-based funding
• Institutional programs
• External programs (e.g. NHR, depending on the position)

If you are primarily looking for funding opportunities, please consult the relevant funding program pages. Where applicable, links will be provided from the Open Theses page.

If you are interested in pursuing a PhD with us, please prepare:

• 1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• 2. Short motivation letter (Why this research area? Why HPS?)
• 3. Links to code repositories or technical projects
• 4. Academic transcripts (if available)

Please follow the instructions provided on the Open Theses page or contact the listed supervisor directly

If you have questions about:

• Research topics
• Required background
• The application process

Feel free to reach out to the potential supervisor listed with the thesis topic.