Jesper NederlofView profile
Associate Professor
Jesper Nederlof is an Associate Professor in the Algorithms and Complexity group at the Department of Information and Computing Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University. His research focuses on designing efficient algorithms for computationally hard problems, particularly in the areas of parameterized complexity, graph algorithms, and NP-complete problems. He received his M.Sc. in Applied Computing Science from Utrecht University in 2008 and his Ph.D. from the University of Bergen in 2011 with the thesis 'Space and Time Efficient Structural Improvements of Dynamic Programming Algorithms' under supervision of Pinar Heggernes. Nederlof's research interests span multiple areas of theoretical computer science, with a particular focus on designing algorithms for NP-complete problems with small exponential worst-case run time. His work extends to algorithmic game theory, information theory, representation theory, approximation algorithms, and online algorithms. He has made significant contributions to parameterized complexity, particularly in developing algorithms parameterized by structural graph parameters like treewidth and cutwidth. His publication record shows a consistent output of high-quality research in top theoretical computer science venues. His recent work demonstrates trends toward tighter bounds for exponential-time algorithms, improved space complexity, and connections between different complexity hypotheses like ETH. Many papers focus on structural parameters of graphs to develop more efficient algorithms for fundamental problems like Hamiltonian cycle, Steiner tree, and subset sum. EATCS-IPEC Nerode Prize (2023) WG best paper award (2020) Nederlof has been involved in teaching courses on algorithms, (non)-linear optimization, graph theory, (vector) calculus, modeling, and management and product development. His research has been supported by various grants including an NWO open competition project during his postdoctoral period and an EU ERC Starting Grant for the project 'Finding Cracks in the wall of NP-Completeness' (2020-2025). As a member of the Algorithms and Complexity group at Utrecht University, Nederlof collaborates with researchers working on foundational aspects of computing, contributing to the group's reputation in theoretical computer science research.





