Logic List Mailing Archive

PhD studentship in DNA Computing, Oxford (U.K.), Deadline: 28 Feb 2011

Oxford University is offering a fully funded D.Phil studentship associated 
with the project ?Automated Verification Techniques for DNA Computing?, 
funded by a Microsoft Research PhD Scholarship. This position will be 
based in Oxford University's Computing Laboratory, co-supervised by 
Professor Marta Kwiatkowska from the Computing Laboratory, and Professor 
Andrew Turberfield from the Department of Physics. There will be an 
internship opportunity at Microsoft Research Cambridge associated with the 
studentship, and the student will additionally be co-supervised by Dr 
Andrew Phillips.

The goal of this project is to develop efficient and scalable techniques 
for formal verification of DNA computing designs. DNA computing is a new 
and fast-growing field that aims to engineer artificial computing devices 
using bio-molecular materials such as DNA. The project will develop new 
modelling languages and verification techniques, with a particular 
emphasis on quantitative approaches such as probabilistic model checking. 
The project will work with a variety of techniques, such as symmetry 
reduction, graph transformation, abstraction and refinement, statistical 
model checking and verification for systems biology. There will also be a 
focus on building software tools and validating the techniques developed 
against experimental data from state-of the art DNA assembly/computation 
methods.

The studentship is fully funded (at EU fees level - overseas candidates 
will need supplementary funding) for 3  years and is available from 
October 2011. The studentship includes a stipend of at least 13,590 per 
year as well as provision for travel to conferences.

For information on admissions criteria and how to apply see:

http://www.comlab.ox.ac.uk/news/304-full.html

The closing date for applications is 28th February 2011.

Informal enquiries enclosing CVs should be sent to Professsor Marta 
Kwiatkowska, email Marta.Kwiatkowska@comlab.ox.ac.uk.


-- 
Professor Marta Kwiatkowska
Fellow of Trinity College
Director of Graduate Studies

Oxford University Computing Laboratory
Wolfson Building, Parks Road
Oxford, OX1 3QD

Tel: +44 (0)1865 283509 (office)
Email: Marta.Kwiatkowska@comlab.ox.ac.uk
URL: http://web.comlab.ox.ac.uk/people/Marta.Kwiatkowska/