Logic List Mailing Archive

PhD student position in supervision of autonomous software systems, Utrecht (The Netherlands), Deadline: 2 Oct 2016

*PhD student in Supervision of Autonomous Software Systems at Utrecht 
University*

*Job description*
Modern software systems operate in increasingly dynamic settings and therefore 
need flexible and adaptive requirement models. For example, autonomous cars are 
expected to operate under changing traffic and weather conditions, based on 
which different requirements (e.g., traffic laws, speed limits, safety 
requirements) have to be satisfied. Similarly, massive multi-player online 
games are expected to run under varying game conditions and player types 
depending on week, day and time, and have to satisfy evolving requirements 
including game rules. In general, the requirements of software systems are in 
constant motion due to their continuously changing environments. In such 
settings, new functional requirements are added while others are dropped, the 
desired quality requirements vary, and the relative priority of the 
requirements evolves. Nonetheless, software systems are expected to perform 
optimally and comply with the evolving requirements, or at least minimize the 
deviations. Causes for non-compliance are resource scarcity, requirements 
conflicts, and quality requirements that cannot be fully satisfied.

The PhD project concerns the creation of an adaptive runtime supervision 
framework that continuously monitors the execution of software systems, 
evaluates their behavior against the current requirements, and intervenes by 
deciding which requirements should be added, ignored or weakened. The two main 
pillars of the envisioned approach are that:
1. accurate requirement models can be obtained only at runtime and through 
learning;
2. requirement revision, including requirement approximation, is preferred over 
system adaptation.

The project will be conducted under the joint supervision of Dr. Fabiano 
Dalpiaz (Software Systems) and Dr. Mehdi Dastani (Intelligent Systems).

The candidate is expected to:
- complete and defend a PhD thesis within the nominal time-frame of four years;
- regularly present intermediate research results at our internal colloquium 
and at international workshops and conferences;
- collaborate with other researchers both locally and internationally;
- assist in teaching activities.

*Requirements*
The candidate should have a master?s degree in computer science, software 
engineering, or artificial intelligence. Ideally, the candidate has background 
knowledge in all three fields. The ideal candidate should have excellent 
academic qualifications as well as good communication and collaboration skills. 
Candidates are expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect 
to academic credentials and must show interest in an academic career, including 
both research and teaching/supervision activities.

*Conditions of employment*
The candidate is offered a full-time position for four years. Salary starts at 
? 2,191 and increases to ? 2,801 gross per month in the fourth year of the 
appointment. The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an 
end-of-year bonus of 8,3% per year. In addition we offer: a pension scheme, a 
partially paid parental leave, flexible employment conditions. Conditions are 
based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities. The research group 
will provide the candidate with necessary support on all aspects of the 
project.

*Employer*
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in 
executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, 
the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. 
Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life 
Sciences and Sustainability.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a 
charming old center and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly 
influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht city has been consistently 
ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Netherlands.

The faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, Pharmaceutical 
Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry, 
and Mathematics

The faculty is home to 4800 students and nearly 1500 staff and is 
internationally renowned for the quality of its research. The faculty's 
academic programmes reflect developments in today's society.

The department of Information and Computing Sciences is nationally and 
internationally renowned for its research in computer science and information 
science. The research of the department is grouped into four divisions: 
Software Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Worlds, Interaction 
Technology

The department offers bachelor programs in computer science and information 
science, and four English-language research master-programs in Artificial 
Intelligence, Business Informatics, Computing Science, and Game and Media 
Technology. High enrolment figures and good student ratings make the education 
very successful. This PhD opening is a joint project between the department?s 
research groups in Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering.

*Additional information*
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from: Dr. Fabiano 
Dalpiaz: f.dalpiaz@uu.nl.

*How to apply?*
Application should be made via the online application system of Utrecht 
University (find a link here: 
http://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university/jobs). 
Applications should include a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae and 
contact information (name, affiliation, email) of two referees.

The application deadline is *October 2, 2016*

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