PhD and Postdoc positions on explanations for combinatorial search & optimization in Leuven [BE]

KU Leuven’s Declarative Languages and Artificial Intelligence (DTAI) section is seeking outstanding researchers to advance the field of combinatorial optimization within Bart Bogaerts’ research group. Two fully-funded positions are available: a PhD role focused on developing human-understandable explanations for optimization decisions, and a postdoc role aimed at ensuring end-to-end correctness guarantees for combinatorial solvers. Both projects leverage breakthroughs like proof logging and machine-verifiable certificates to enhance reliability, auditability, and trust in AI-driven decisions—critical for high-stakes applications and compliance with regulations like GDPR. Candidates will contribute to innovative research, such as debugging via proofs, rigorous algorithm evaluation, and domain-specific explanation methods.

Applications for the PhD role close September 30, 2026, and for the postdoc role, October 30, 2026.