[Haskell] PhD position at the CWI, Amsterdam

[Frank de Boer]

Position Description
====================

The Coordination and Component Based Software group in SEN3 at CWI has
an open position for a PhD student (OIO) for four years.

The PhD student will perform research in the context of the BSIK project
BRICKS (Basic Research in Informatics for Creating the Knowledge
Society). BRICKS addresses the need for a strong impulse in fundamental 
research in informatics. 

The participation of SEN3 in BRICKS focuses on the component-based
development of large software systems. These components can be viewed as
the basic building blocks out of which larger software systems can be
constructed, by composing the components together within large networks.
Since components in an application are supposed to be highly independent
of each other and of their environment, it is the responsibility of 
their connecting network to coordinate their individual activities to 
ensure their proper co-operation with one another to form a coherent 
whole. 

Aside from its clear advantages in construction of traditional 
complex software, this approach is a vital necessity in the development 
and deployment of software for an emerging class of systems that cater 
to ubiquitous computing and mobile applications. These systems must 
always be on and cannot be shut down or rebooted for software upgrade
or configuration adjustments. On the other hand, they must change in 
reaction to the changes in their environment, such as evolving user 
requirements or relocation. Incremental, dynamic composition of software
out of components is the only way to accommodate the requirements of 
such systems. The component networks of these applications are typically
active in that their various connections will vary and change at run 
time, reflecting the dynamic changes in the communication structure of 
their components.

The main aim of the present PhD research project is the development of 
compositional methods, tools, and formal techniques for the dynamic 
composition of components, the validation of their composition, and the 
validation  of components themselves.

The candidate for the PhD position should have a masters degree in
computer science or mathematics, with a clear interest in questions in
the field of theoretical computer science. Ideally, the candidate has a
background in such topics in theoretical computer science as automata
theory, semantics and proof theory.

The Theme SEN3 (http://www.cwi.nl/sen3) at CWI is a dynamic group of
internationally recognized researchers who work on Coordination Models
and Languages and Component-Based Software Composition.  The activity
in SEN3 is a productive, healthy mix of theoretical, foundational, and
experimental work in Computer Science, ranging in a spectrum covering
mathematical foundations of models of computation, formal methods and
semantics, implementation of advanced research software systems, as well
as their real-life applications.


General information
===================

CWI is an internationally renowned research institute in mathematics and
computer science, located in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The focus is on
fundamental research problems, derived from societal needs. Research is
carried out in 15 research themes. More information about these themes
can be found on the website www.cwi.nl where you can also take a look at
our Annual Reports. A substantial part of this research is carried out
in the framework of national or international programs. 

CWI maintains excellent relations with industry and the academic world,
at home as well as abroad. After their research careers at CWI, an
increasing number of young staff members find employment in these
sectors, for example in spin-off companies that are based on research
results from CWI.  Of course, library and computing facilities at CWI
are first-rate. CWI's non-scientific services to its personnel include
career planning, training & courses, assistance in finding housing, and
tailor-made solutions to problems that may occasionally arise.

Terms of employment
===================

The salary is in accordance with the "CAO-onderzoekinstellingen" and is
commensurate with experience.  The starting
salary for a first year PhD student is around 1850 Euros/month with an
incremental raise for each subsequent year.  

Besides the salary, CWI offers very attractive and flexible terms of
employment, like a collective health insurance, pension-fund, etc.

Application
===========

For more information on these vacancies you can contact either of the
PIs:

     F. Arbab, telephone +31-20-5924056, e-mail Farhad.Arbab at cwi.nl
     F.S. de Boer, telephone +31-20-592-4139, email F.S.de.Boer at cwi.nl

Official applications, together with curriculum vitae, letters of
references, and lists of publications must be sent to Mrs. J. Koster,
head of Personnel Department, P.O. box 94079, 1090 GB Amsterdam,
The Netherlands.