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Hi all,
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is looking for a (fully funded) PhD candidate
working on the intersection of Software Verification and Software Definable
Networks.
The position is suitable for a candidate with an interest in Programming
Languages, Formal Methods, and Networking. The focus may depend on the
candidate's interests and prior experiences. The project will involve a
challenging combination of theory and practice and will be executed in the
context of a broad (national) consortium lead by the UvA and containing
industry leaders in networking systems.
If not relevant to you, please considering forward this e-mail to anyone who
may be interested.
Vacancy link: PhD (Candidate) Software Verification for Programmable 6G
Networks
(uva.nl)<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://vacatures.uva.nl/UvA/job/PhD-*28Candidate*29-Software-Verification-for-Programmable-6G-Networks/789064002/__;JSU!!IBzWLUs!RmoKTGexBdDqiIOr1a9-stwd7Mscgu0RucVxV_0dk4GTBb9ci6A50hsZJW-Rf1v-4dxGaH7ah9CJFTwYTvR4e_mG2gtqwoXIq1pUzwDc1w$
>
Kind wishes,
L. Thomas van Binsbergen
Assistant Professor, University of Amsterdam
----
Software-defined and programmable networking is a key enabling technology to
support 6G in achieving their promises of increased scalability and flexibility
at a lower cost. Deep network programmability, that is the ability to program
the network fabric both vertically (control and data plane) and horizontally
(end to end), is expected to characterize the new generation of mobile networks
(6G), currently under development, towards supporting extreme performance
requirements and service-specific operations.
The objective of the PhD project is to develop a framework consisting of a set
of programming language methodologies and tools for the specification,
verification and generation of software and configurations for programmable
data planes. Making data-planes programmable (e.g., using the P4 language)
enables unprecedented network flexibility, often at the cost of robustness and
security.
These challenges require domain-specific, formally verified, and empirically
tested solutions that curtail the underlying complexity through the
introduction of layers of abstraction. The candidate will contribute to the
design and evolution of domain-specific languages, software verification
techniques and programming environments that enable network operators to deploy
verified programs with CI/CD pipelines for programmable data planes. To
achieve this, the candidate will study, develop and apply programming language
techniques such as static and runtime verification, formal specification, and
language design, translation and implementation.
The research is conducted within the scope of the Future Network Services (FNS
-
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://futurenetworkservices.nl/__;!!IBzWLUs!RmoKTGexBdDqiIOr1a9-stwd7Mscgu0RucVxV_0dk4GTBb9ci6A50hsZJW-Rf1v-4dxGaH7ah9CJFTwYTvR4e_mG2gtqwoXIq1oPyeC6SA$
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://futurenetworkservices.nl/__;!!IBzWLUs!RmoKTGexBdDqiIOr1a9-stwd7Mscgu0RucVxV_0dk4GTBb9ci6A50hsZJW-Rf1v-4dxGaH7ah9CJFTwYTvR4e_mG2gtqwoXIq1oPyeC6SA$
>): the 6G flagship project for the Netherlands where 60 leading ICT
businesses, mobile operators, semiconductor manufacturers and research
institutions, have united to spearhead the development of specific aspects of
6G: Software antennas, AI-driven network software, and groundbreaking 6G
applications.
You will be embedded in the MNS group. The group focuses its research on the
fundamental architectural problems that arise from the interconnection of
systems and of data flows. We look at the emerging architectures that can
support the operations of the future Internet. More information can be found
at:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://mns-research.nl/__;!!IBzWLUs!RmoKTGexBdDqiIOr1a9-stwd7Mscgu0RucVxV_0dk4GTBb9ci6A50hsZJW-Rf1v-4dxGaH7ah9CJFTwYTvR4e_mG2gtqwoXIq1pWpJUiVA$
.
You will be collaborating closely with the CCI research group. The CCI group
focuses on the complexity of man-made systems on all scales. The challenges of
such systems are addressed by research into distributed data processing,
programmable networks, policy reasoning and normative control, hardware and
cryptographic security, and programming languages and software language
engineering. More information can be found at:
https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://cci-research.nl/__;!!IBzWLUs!RmoKTGexBdDqiIOr1a9-stwd7Mscgu0RucVxV_0dk4GTBb9ci6A50hsZJW-Rf1v-4dxGaH7ah9CJFTwYTvR4e_mG2gtqwoXIq1r1zIyGdA$
What are you going to do?
Tasks and responsibilities:
* Evaluate and further develop of domain-specific languages for
programmable data planes (such as P4) and formal verification techniques for
network configurations, software and protocols;
* develop and evaluate CI/CD environments and pipelines for deeply
programmable networks, generating fast, correct, secure and debug-able network
software;
* empirically validate the proposed approaches by developing and
demonstrating proof of concepts;
* access a unique state-of-the-art testbed to also put theory to practice
and be at the forefront of the Dutch 6G national ecosystem.;
* become active in the research community and collaborate with other
institutes and/or companies that are part of the project;
* publish and present work regularly at international conferences,
workshops, and journals;
* assist in teaching activities (labs) and in supervising bachelor and
master students.
What do you have to offer?
Your experience and profile:
* Master's degree or equivalent program (completed or near completion: see
below) in a relevant discipline, such as computer science, software
engineering, security and network engineering;
* excellent programming skills in a variety of languages, including
functional languages;
* familiarity with programming language techniques such as compilers and
type systems;
* prior experience with software verification is a plus, such as
operational semantics, model checking, symbolic execution, and dependently
typed programming;
* prior experience in programmable networking technologies and
domain-specific languages is a plus, especially languages such as eBPF and P4;
* the willingness to be part of an international research team;
* fluency in oral and written English and good presentation skills;
* commitment to maintaining an inclusive, collaborative, diverse,
supportive work environment.
Our offer
A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the
initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory
evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred
starting date is as soon as possible. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD
thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses
and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching
undergraduates and master students.
The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant
experience, ranges between € 2,770 in the first year to € 3,539 in the last
year (scale P). UvA additionally offers an extensive package of secondary
benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UFO
profile PhD Candidate is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30%
ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of
Universities of the
Netherlands<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.universiteitenvannederland.nl/en/cao__;!!IBzWLUs!RmoKTGexBdDqiIOr1a9-stwd7Mscgu0RucVxV_0dk4GTBb9ci6A50hsZJW-Rf1v-4dxGaH7ah9CJFTwYTvR4e_mG2gtqwoXIq1r3wKMP9w$
> is applicable.
Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we
offer you multiple fringe benefits:
* 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between
Christmas and 1 January;
* Multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
* A complete educational program for PhD students;
* Multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
* Multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and
an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
* 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
* Partly paid parental leave;
* The possibility to set up a workplace at home;
* A pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
* The possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
* Help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from
abroad.
Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary
employment benefits, take a look
here<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.uva.nl/en/faculty/faculty-of-science/working-at-the-faculty/working-at-the-faculty-of-science.html__;!!IBzWLUs!RmoKTGexBdDqiIOr1a9-stwd7Mscgu0RucVxV_0dk4GTBb9ci6A50hsZJW-Rf1v-4dxGaH7ah9CJFTwYTvR4e_mG2gtqwoXIq1rMJO94BA$
>.
About us
The University of
Amsterdam<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.uva.nl/en/about-the-uva/about-the-university/about-the-university.html__;!!IBzWLUs!RmoKTGexBdDqiIOr1a9-stwd7Mscgu0RucVxV_0dk4GTBb9ci6A50hsZJW-Rf1v-4dxGaH7ah9CJFTwYTvR4e_mG2gtqwoXIq1rX2IyyVw$
> (UvA) is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of
academic programmes. At the UvA, 42,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000
PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a
culture of curiosity.
The Faculty of
Science<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.uva.nl/en/faculty/faculty-of-science/faculty-of-science.html__;!!IBzWLUs!RmoKTGexBdDqiIOr1a9-stwd7Mscgu0RucVxV_0dk4GTBb9ci6A50hsZJW-Rf1v-4dxGaH7ah9CJFTwYTvR4e_mG2gtqwoXIq1qTv3embw$
> (FNWI) has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff
working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at
the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works,
be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the
brain.
The mission of the Informatics
Institute<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ivi.uva.nl/__;!!IBzWLUs!RmoKTGexBdDqiIOr1a9-stwd7Mscgu0RucVxV_0dk4GTBb9ci6A50hsZJW-Rf1v-4dxGaH7ah9CJFTwYTvR4e_mG2gtqwoXIq1rsD8tSUA$
> (IvI) is to perform curiosity-driven and use-inspired fundamental research
in Computer Science. The main research themes are Artificial Intelligence,
Computational Science and Systems and Network Engineering. Our research
involves complex information systems at large, with a focus on collaborative,
data driven, computational and intelligent systems, all with a strong
interactive component.
The Complex Cyber
Infrastructure<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://ivi.uva.nl/research/complex-cyber-infrastructure.html__;!!IBzWLUs!RmoKTGexBdDqiIOr1a9-stwd7Mscgu0RucVxV_0dk4GTBb9ci6A50hsZJW-Rf1v-4dxGaH7ah9CJFTwYTvR4e_mG2gtqwoXIq1rVqSEU_w$
> (CCI) group
(https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://cci-research.nl__;!!IBzWLUs!RmoKTGexBdDqiIOr1a9-stwd7Mscgu0RucVxV_0dk4GTBb9ci6A50hsZJW-Rf1v-4dxGaH7ah9CJFTwYTvR4e_mG2gtqwoXIq1oyD1fBWw$
<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://cci-research.nl/__;!!IBzWLUs!RmoKTGexBdDqiIOr1a9-stwd7Mscgu0RucVxV_0dk4GTBb9ci6A50hsZJW-Rf1v-4dxGaH7ah9CJFTwYTvR4e_mG2gtqwoXIq1r1zIyGdA$
>) is part of the Informatics Institute at the University of Amsterdam. CCI
focuses on the complexity of man-made systems on all scales. This scale can be
small, like the devices that you carry with you, or the apps they are running,
or the communication protocols these apps use to interact. It can be also
comprehensive, as in large systems such as data centres or multi-domain
networks.
