PhD in Computer Science and Engineering - Theory of Computation (Combinatorial Optimization) in Ann Arbor United States | University of Michigan Ann Arbor

The Theory Group at the University of Michigan focuses on research that applies the mathematical precision and methodological rigor characteristic of theoretical computer science. Their work spans diverse fields including combinatorial optimization, data structures, cryptography, quantum computing, parallel and distributed systems, algorithmic game theory, graph theory, geometry, combinatorics, and energy-efficient computing. The group explores fundamental resource tradeoffs—such as time complexity, memory usage, randomness, communication costs, and energy consumption—in both classical and quantum computing contexts. Faculty and students collaborate extensively within the division and across departments, partnering with experts from Mathematics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial and Operations Engineering, Atmospheric and Space Sciences, and other university units.