Computer Science PhD Scholarships 2016 . The LogiCS doctoral program is a PhD degree
program funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF and run jointly by the three Austrian
universities Vienna University of Technology, Graz University of Technology and Johannes
Kepler University Linz. This program is aimed at highly motivated students who want to work in
one of three fundamental fields of computer science:
Logic is a powerful reasoning tool. Originally invented as an aid for sound argumentation, it
reached maturity in the form of mathematical logic and analytic philosophy in the early 20th
century, with significant contributions from Vienna. We continue this tradition, using logic as a
tool that enables computer programs to reason about the world. These reasoning tasks allow a
natural classification into two broad areas: In Databases and Artificial Intelligence, logic is
used to model, store, analyze and predict information about the outside world including the
Internet. In Verification, logic is used to model, analyze and construct computer programs
themselves. The logical and algorithmic questions which underlie both application areas are
studied in the area of Computational Logic . In the LogiCS curriculum, all three directions are
prominently represented:
Databases and Artificial Intelligence spans a large number of subjects including Answer-Set
Programming and Datalog, query languages based on logical concepts (such as SQL, current
XML-based languages), optimization of queries, novel database-theoretical methods (like
schema mappings, information integration, querying ontologies), logic programming,
knowledge representation and reasoning (belief change, abductive reasoning, multi-context
systems, inconsistency handling, incomplete knowledge, diagnosis), and AI formalisms
(argumentation, planning, preferential reasoning, decision support systems).
Verification is concerned with logical methods and automated tools for reasoning about the
behavior and correctness of complex state-based systems such as software and hardware
designs as well as hybrid systems. It ranges from model checking, program analysis and
abstraction to new interdisciplinary areas such as fault localization, program repair, program
synthesis, and the analysis of biological systems.
Computational Logic covers theoretical and mathematical foundations such as proof theory
(cut elimination, proof mining, interpolants), automated deduction (resolution, refutation,
theorem proving), non-classical logics (multi-valued logics, juridical reasoning, deontic logics,
modal and temporal logics), computational complexity (complexity analysis, parameterized
complexity, decomposition methods) and constraint satisfaction (SAT, QSAT, CSP).
Why join the LogiCS program in Austria?
Our commitment to international and interdisciplinary collaboration is prerequesite for today’s
challenges: Computer science has reached a state where many of the basic engineering
questions are reasonably well understood. Many of the big open research questions, however,
require computers to perform non-trivial reasoning tasks that permeate computer science,
other sciences such as medicine, sociology, ecnomy, physics and biology, as well as every-day
life. Similar to the role of calculus in the development of physics and engineering, logic is a key
discipline in this evolving phase of computer science. LogiCS off
ers an international program characterized by the unique combination of disciplines where
logical methods decisively impact practical computer science.
The LogiCS faculty comprises 15 renowned researchers with strong records in research,
teaching and advising, complemented by 12 associated members who further strengthen the
research and teaching activities of the college. Our faculty is complemented by visiting
professors as well as frequent guests in both the ARiSE and VCLA talk and seminar series.
The program is complemented by our faculty’s participation research initiatives such as the
Austrian-wide National Research Network on Rigorous Systems Engineering (RiSE) funded by
the Austrian Science Fund, the Vienna Center for Logic and Algorithms (VCLA), as well as the
previous Doctoral College on Mathematical Logic for Computer Science funded by TU Vienna.
Vienna has a prominent history in mathematics, computer science, and logic research ( Kurt
Gödel, Vienna Circle , …). Additionally, it has repeatedly been rankednumber 1 in the Mercer
Quality of Living Survey.