Logic List Mailing Archive

PhD position Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: Theoretical Computer Science (deadline May 1, 2005)

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Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
PhD position in Theoretical Computer Science
Project title: Proving equations for cyclic objects
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In the Section of Theoretical Computer Science of the Vrije Universiteit
in Amsterdam there is a position for a PhD student for 4 years on the
research project

            Proving Equations For Cyclic Objects

Starting date of this PhD position is as soon as possible.

The project
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This project considers equations between infinite objects, such as streams
of 0 and 1. An example equation is

        morse = 1:0:zip(tail(morse),inv(tail(morse)))

defining the famous Thue-Morse sequence 1001011001101001..., satisfying
the equation odd(morse) = morse. While proof systems for infinite regular
objects are well-known, we study in this project proof systems for more
general infinite objects, also non-regular, such as the example stream. We
aim to develop and study proof systems of various nature, employing
fixed-point rules, coinductive proof rules, or proof procedures based on
bisimulation. Relations with coalgebra will be explored as well as with
infinitary term rewriting. Aspects of definability of infinite objects will
be investigated. Where possible, theory will be developed that is relevant
for automated equation provers.

For more detailed information see the full project proposal at:

   http://www.cs.vu.nl/~tcs/ProvCyc.pdf

The research will be in the broader framework of the section's main
themes: formal methods, term rewriting, process algebra, coalgebra.


Qualifications
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Candidates must have a masters degree in computer science, mathematics or
logic, preferably with knowledge of topics such as automata theory, lambda
calculus, type theory, term rewriting or proof theory.


Contact and application
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For further information about this position please contact:

   Prof.dr. J.W. Klop,  jwk@cs.vu.nl, phone: +31 (0)20 5987770 or
   Dr. R.C. de Vrijer,  rdv@cs.vu.nl, phone: +31 (0)20 5987770

You are invited to send an application by email to rdv@cs.vu.nl, no later
than May 1, 2005. Your application should consist of a cover letter, a
curriculum vitae (including detailed information regarding your academic
degree and possible publications) and the names and addresses of two
references.