Position Announcement: Postdoctor in Formal Methods

Position Announcement

Postdoctor in Formal Methods

Postdoc position is available to work on the ERC Consolidator funded project "dSynMA: Distributed Synthesis from Single to Multiple Agents".

https://www.gu.se/english/about_the_university/job-opportunities/vacancies-details/?id=5061

The aims of the project are to develop theoretical foundations that will enable to apply reactive synthesis from temporal specifications to work for multiple agents. This includes studying two-player games and their solutions, modelling solutions for interacting agents, and studies of temporal logic.

Position Description

The department of Computer Science and Engineering is strongly international, with approximately 270 employees from over 30 countries. The department is a fully integrated department with the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology as principals. The position is placed in the Division for Formal Methods at the department, with the University of Gothenburg as the employer.

Subject Area

Formal Methods - specifically reactive synthesis from temporal specifications

Subject Area Description

You will work on the ERC Consolidator funded project "dSynMA: Distributed Synthesis from Single to Multiple Agents". The aims of the project are to develop theoretical foundations that will enable to apply reactive synthesis from temporal specifications to work for multiple agents. This includes studying two-player games and their solutions, modelling solutions for interacting agents, and studies of temporal logic. Specifically, research will focus on the following objectives:

• Consider modelling frameworks that combine message passing and variable sharing allowing for synchronization as well as passage of information.
• Work on algorithmic analysis of games that arise from combinations of multiple agents supporting rich modelling features. This includes analysis of partial information games and applications of abstraction and compositionality to games analysis.
• Study specification languages that extend temporal and strategy logic by allowing to reason about how agents interact as well as what are their goals. Algorithmically analyse games that arise from such specifications.

Job Assignments

Principal Accountabilities:
To engage in research related to the topic of the grant:

• To plan and produce independent high-quality original research.
• To write up findings for scientific publications.
• To present scientific findings at international conferences.
• To contribute to the overall activities of the research team and department as required by providing support and guidance to other staff and students.
• To engage in continuous professional development, for example through participation in relevant staff development programmes or other training events.

Liaison with collaborators within and outside the University of Gothenburg:

• Regular attendance at major international and national conferences to present research results and to network, contributing to personal recognition and enhancing the reputation of the University and the wider research programme.
• The post holder may be required to take a role in the supervision of PhD students and potentially master and undergraduate student projects.

Eligibility

The qualifications for academic positions are given in Chapter 4, Section 3 - 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance.

You should have achieved a doctoral degree by the application deadline to qualify for a position as postdoctoral researcher at the University of Gothenburg. The doctoral thesis shall be in a relevant area according to the specific position stated in the advertisement, for example Model Checking or Formal Verification. Since a position as postdoctoral researcher aims to give new holders of the doctorate the opportunity mainly to strengthen and develop their scholarly proficiency, we aim for those who have a doctoral degree not older than 3 years counting from last date of application.

Assessment

Regulations for the evaluation of qualifications for academic positions are given in Chapter 4, Section 3 - 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance.

Essential

• PhD degree in computer science or closely related field.
• Proven strong track record demonstrating high-level knowledge and skills in Verification, Model Checking, Automata on Infinite Objects, Temporal Logic, or Two-Player Games.
• Proven strong track record demonstrating high ability to write, present and publish research results in relevant conferences and journals.
• High level of proficiency in English, sufficient to undertake research, teaching and administrative activities utilising English Language materials and to communicate effectively with staff and students
• Good written communication skills.
• Good verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and also as part of a research team.
• Ability to observe research ethics.
• Highly trustworthy with a strong work ethic.
• Ability to work under time pressure to meet tight deadlines and to organize own time.

Desirable

• Experience of working with students and collaborators.
• Experience of undertaking collaborative research.
• Ability to make public presentation of results

Employment

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment for two years, central agreement
Extent: 100 % of full time
Location: Department of Computer Science and Engineering /Division of Formal Methods
First day of employment: 2020-02-01 or as soon as possible upon agreement.

For further information

Regarding the position please contact Nir Piterman (e-mail: piterman@chalmers.se)
Regarding the appointment procedure, please contact HR-partner anna.skanse@chalmers.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg:

http://www.gu.se/english/about_the_university/job-opportunities/union-representatives

How to apply

In order to apply for a position at the University of Gothenburg, you have to register an account in our online recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. The application is to be written in English.

Closing date: 2019-11-21