PhD Position, open topic – Software quality and verification, coding and AI, software security (m/w/d)

100 % (by 01.11.2026, or upon agreement)

Your tasks

Your tasks
The lab headed by Prof. Salvaneschi at the University of St.Gallen (HSG) is seeking candidates for PhD positions. In this position you will conduct research with substantial freedom to develop an individual research direction, choosing from and combining different topics in a way that aligns with the group’s broader research interests. The student reponsabilities include:

• Develop an individual PhD research topic by selecting and, where appropriate, combining research directions in software engineering, security, verification, and AI.
• Possible topics include software verification, e-graphs and equality saturation, Infrastructure as Code, AI-assisted code generation and software development, software testing, local-first software, distributed systems, and CRDTs.
• The precise research direction will be defined together with the candidate based on their interests and background and on the ongoing research activities of the research environment.

Your profile

Your profile

• Excellent Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong interest in research in one or more of the areas of software engineering, programming languages, software security, formal methods, software verification, distributed systems, or artificial intelligence.
• Strong programming and software development skills.Interest in both conceptual research and the implementation and experimental evaluation of research prototypes.
• Previous basic knowledge of topics such as formal methods, program analysis, software testing, security, distributed systems, machine learning.
• Ability to work independently and develop original research ideas.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm for working in an international research environment.

The group offers a vibrant research environment in the area of software quality, security, verification, and AI-enabled software systems. PhD candidates have substantial freedom to develop an individual research direction, choosing from and combining topics that align with our broader research activities. Current directions include, for example, software verification, e-graphs, Infrastructure as Code, AI-assisted code generation, software testing, local-first software, and CRDTs.
We publish in leading international venues across several fields and we are supported by competitive funding from major national and European funders, including the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Horizon Europe. The position offers the opportunity to contribute to internationally visible research and to collaborate within a strong international academic network.

We are looking forward to your online-application stating the job ID

Fit and Healthy

Inspirational Work Environment

At the HSG, as Europe’s leading business university, we operate in an entrepreneurial environment where you will meet highly qualified, ambitious experts – both regionally and internationally. For example, you benefit from a modern IT infrastructure and, in our library via HSGswisscovery, from nationwide access to the wealth of scientific information available.

Executive Education

We support internal and external executive education opportunities. Our internal executive education programme offers you a practical, dedicated and didactically mature transfer of knowledge in the form of seminars, e-learning, coaching and collegial advice. We support task-specific external training and executive education financially as well as with regard to the time required.

Network

We promote our culture of cross-functional collaboration and create space for forging valuable relationships – also with external partners. Regular exchanges and internal events help to strengthen these relationships and make them long-lasting.

Family & Career

We provide our employees with flexible work time models with a variable number of hours per week. As a family-friendly employer, we offer part-time positions, 16 weeks of maternity leave and a subsidised crèche, as well as support with childcare during the vacations.

Equal Opportunities

The University enables equal opportunities for all employees and students. This applies to degree courses and work, as well as academic careers, university management positions and the reconciliation of studies, work and private commitments. We are committed to this with various measures in the areas of teaching, research, administration and the Presidency.

Fit and Healthy

We help you stay fit and healthy. In addition to our diverse range of sports activities at the university, most of which are free of charge, and campaign weeks for corporate health management, we also offer you fruit in the workplace. In our canteen you will find a wide selection of freshly prepared meals – from vegetarian to fish dishes – at discounted prices.

Further information on working at the HSG can be found here.

For job-related questions

Prof. Dr. Guido Salvaneschi
Full Professor for Software and Systems Security

I look forward to receiving your application.

Angelika Gräfingholt
Office Manager

I would be pleased to welcome you.

Your place of work

University of St.Gallen

«A place where knowledge is created» – As one of Europe’s leading universities of economics and business administration, the University of St.Gallen (HSG), Switzerland, is committed to the education of over 10’000 students. The HSG is one of the largest employers in the region and provides an attractive and innovative environment for more than 3’800 researchers, educators and professional staff.

Other Jobs

Studentische:r Mitarbeiter:in (m/w/d)

Institut für Law and Economics (ILE)
10-50%

Student Assistant (m/w/d)

Chair of Public International Law
10-50%

Wissenschaftliche Assistenz (m/w/d)

SoM Deans Office
80-100%