Postdoc: Keystone Project (Machine-Verified LLM Inference) — EPFL
- Location
- Lausanne
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- Today
Role overview
Mission
The Keystone project seeks to advance knowledge in the following domains:
Formal verification and interactive theorem proving (Rocq, Lean)
- Mission
- The Keystone project seeks to advance knowledge in the following domains:
- Main duties and responsibilities
- Conducting research related to the Keystone project, including contributing to the design and construction of a machine-verified LLM inference engine.
Main responsibilities
- Main duties and responsibilities
- Conducting research related to the Keystone project, including contributing to the design and construction of a machine-verified LLM inference engine.
- The precise focus will be discussed with the successful candidate depending on their background, expertise and affinities. Possible directions include:
- Formalizing GPU kernel semantics (e.g., PTX/Triton) in a proof assistant and verifying high-performance inference kernels (numerical accuracy, memory safety, data race freedom, functional correctness)
- Implementing and verifying the inference coordination layer (batching, KV-cache management, scheduling) in Rocq/Lean, with extraction to executable code
- Developing agentic AI workflows for specification autoformalization, proof generation, and proof repair
- Build a strong network in the fields of formal verification, systems, and ML infrastructure, including close collaboration with the Imperial College London team (regular visits to London are expected)
- Contribute to open-source releases of specifications, proofs, and verified artefacts
- Engage with the ARIA programme, including red/blue team exercises and sprint reviews Profile
- PhD (or nearing completion of) in computer science or a closely related field
Application process
- Only applications submitted through the online platform are considered. You are asked to supply: A brief cover letter (pdf, up to 2 pages). And in one PDF: A CV with a publication list. A research statement (pdf, up to 3 pages).
Contacts
- For any further information, please contact: Nate Foster (n
Additional details
- details for 3 referees.
- The precise focus will be discussed with the successful candidate depending on their background, expertise and affinities. Possible directions include:
- Engage with the ARIA programme, including red/blue team exercises and sprint reviews
- Good team spirit and enthusiasm for working in a distributed, multi-institution team A stimulating and international working environment Excellent working conditions
- Funded travel for collaboration between Lausanne and London, and for conferences
- Only applications submitted through the online platform are considered. You are asked to supply: A brief cover letter (pdf, up to 2 pages). A CV with a publication list. A research statement (pdf, up to 3 pages).
- Contact details for 3 referees.
Notes and original content
- The precise focus will be discussed with the successful candidate depending on their background, expertise and affinities.
- Possible directions include:
- Good team spirit and enthusiasm for working in a distributed, multi-institution team
- A stimulating and international working environment
- Excellent working conditions
- Informations
- Only applications submitted through the online platform are considered.
- You are asked to supply:
- A brief cover letter (pdf, up to 2 pages).
- And in one PDF:
Questions about this listing
What salary does EPFL offer for this role?
EPFL lists CHF 60'500 - 91'500 gross per year for this position in Lausanne. This is the salary published in the original listing (or, when the employer omits a figure, a realistic estimate for the role and sector) — the calculator on this site converts it to your actual net take-home once cross-border tax and social contributions are applied.
Is this a full-time role, and what type of contract does EPFL offer?
This listing is a full-time position. The contract type shown here comes directly from the employer's original posting; always confirm exact hours, notice period and probation length with EPFL during the application process, since these details can vary by role even within the same contract category.
Do I need a cross-border work permit for a role in Vaud?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton Vaud can apply for a G permit; the Swiss employer files it with that canton's migration office after the contract is signed. Border-zone rules and processing times vary by neighbouring country and canton, so confirm the specifics with Vaud's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at EPFL?
Use the "Apply now" button on this page — it links directly to EPFL's original listing at careers.epfl.ch, so your application goes straight to the employer's own applicant-tracking system. Frontaliere Ticino does not collect or forward applications itself.
