Logic List Mailing Archive

Two PhD student positions in theoretical computer science, London (England), Deadline: 31 Dec 2018

Two PhD positions are available at the Department of Computing, Imperial 
College London, under the supervision of Dr Francesco Belardinelli.

*The Positions*

- Verification of Data-aware Systems

In recent years Data-aware Systems have been put forward as a 
comprehensive framework to model complex business workflows by considering 
data and processes as equally relevant tenets of the system description.

This PhD project aims at advancing the state-of-the-art in the modelling, 
analysis and deployment of data-aware systems by using a novel, 
compositional, agent-based approach to their specification 
andverification.

- Model Checking Agents that Learn

In Reinforcement Learning (RL) autonomous agents normally choose their 
actions to maximise some comulative reward. However, in several real-life 
scenarios agents are not simply reward-maximisers: while learning to 
perform a certain task (say, exploring an unknown space) we might want our 
agents never to enter a "bad" state, such as a deadlock.

This PhD project focuses on developing specification languages expressive 
enough to capture the strategic behaviour of learning agents, as well as 
model checking methods to tackle the verification of properties such as 
those above.

For further information on both projects please visit 
https://www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~fbelard/

Both PhD positions are fixed-term contracts for 4 years, including an 
untaxed bursary of £16,777 per annum (2018/19 figure including London 
weighting plus home/EU fees). These positions are available to EU and UK 
students.


*The Candidate's Profile*

- The candidate is required to have a very strong background in theoretical 
computer science, logics and formal methods.

- Must be capable of programming in the most popular programming languages, 
including C, C++, Java.

- Needs to have obtained a higher education degree in computer science or 
related area, with excellent grades.

- Previous experience in formal verification by model checking and/or logics 
for multi-agent systems is preferred, but not essential.

- Commitment, team working and a critical mind.

- Good knowledge of the English language is necessary.


For enquiries please contact

Dr Francesco Belardinelli, Department of Computing, Imperial College London.

Email: f.belardinelli@imperial.ac.uk


*How to apply*

Please send the following documents in pdf format to 
f.belardinelli@imperial.ac.uk
with the email subject ?Application to PhD position?:

- Academic CV

- Covering letter stating to which position you are applying to as well as why 
you consider yourself suitable for the post (maximum 2 pages A4)

References do not need to be included with the application, but shortlisted 
applicants will need to send 2 reference letters before interview. Early 
applications are encouraged.


Closing date: 31 December 2018

Expected start date: 1 April 2019

You should assume that your application has been unsuccessful if you have not 
heard from us within 4 weeks after the closing date.


-- 
Francesco Belardinelli
Department of Computing
Imperial College London
www.doc.ic.ac.uk/~fbelard

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