Two
PhD studentships School of Computer Science, Reykjavik
University
Meta-Theory of Algebraic Process Theories School of Computer Science, Reykjavik University Two PhD studentships
Applications are invited for two PhD studentships at the School of
Computer Science, Reykjavik University. The positions are part of a
three-year research project funded by Rannis (the Icelandic Fund for
Research), under the direction of Luca Aceto and Anna Ingolfsdottir.
Aim of the project
Algebraic process theories, also known as "process algebras", are
prototype specification languages for reactive systems---that is, for
devices that compute by reacting to stimuli from their
environment. The main strength of such theories lies in the equational
(calculational) style of reasoning they support. For each process
theory, several natural questions immediately arise pertaining to the
(non-)existence of (finite or recursive) sets of laws that allow one
to prove by "substituting equals for equals" all of the valid
equalities between process descriptions (closed or open terms) over
fragments of the process theory at hand. Currently, answering such
questions is only possible via delicate, error-prone and lengthy
proofs.
The aim of the project is to contribute further advances to the study
of the meta-theory of algebraic theories of processes. The main goals
of the project are
to establish a generic framework for answering questions
pertaining to the existence of equational axiomatizations of
behavioural semantics over process algebras affording certain
desirable properties, such as being finite or recursive, and
to apply the proposed general theory to solve some of the main
open problems in the study of the equational logic of processes.
Research environment
The research within the project will be carried out in close
collaboration with our long-term co-workers Wan Fokkink (VU
Amsterdam), Bas Luttik (TU Eindhoven), MohammadReza Mousavi (TU
Eindhoven) and Michel Reniers (TU Eindhoven).
The successful candidates will benefit from, and contribute to, the
research environment at the Icelandic Centre of Excellence in
Theoretical Computer Science (ICE-TCS). ICE-TCS has currently 14
permanent members, seven postdoctoral researchers and one
Ph.D. student. For more information about ICE-TCS and its activities,
see here.
Qualification requirements
Applicants for the PhD studentships should have a good MSc degree in
Computer Science, Mathematics or closely related fields, and have a
strong background in discrete mathematics and formal systems. Some
previous knowledge of topics from at least one of concurrency theory,
process calculi and structural operational semantics is not a
prerequisite, but would be desirable.
Remuneration
PhD position: 265,000 ISK (roughly 1,550 euros) per month before
taxes, for three years, starting as early as possible and no later
than October 2010.
Application details
By Friday, 26 February 2010, interested applicants should send
their CV, including a list of publications where applicable, in PDF to
the addresses below, together with a transcript of their academic
record, a statement outlining their suitability for the project and
the names of two referees.
Luca Aceto, email: luca AT ru DOT is
Anna Ingolfsdottir, email: annai AT ru DOT is
We will start reviewing applications as soon as they arrive, and
will continue to accept applications until the positions are
filled. However, we strongly encourage interested applicants to send
in their applications as soon as possible.
About the School of Computer Science at Reykjavik University
The School
of Computer Science at RU has approximately 440 students at the
undergraduate, masters and doctorate levels. The School is home to
several strong research groups and the main research areas are
algorithmics, artificial intelligence, combinatorics, concurrency
theory, databases, human-computer interaction, natural language
processing, software engineering, theoretical computer science and
virtual environments.
The School of Computer Science at Reykjavik University has ties with
several leading foreign universities, facilitating collaboration, as
well as faculty and student exchanges. In particular, the School has a
joint M.Sc. degree in Computer Science with the University of
Camerino, Italy, and a joint Ph.D. degree programme with KTH,
Stockholm, Sweden.
Information about Ph.D. studies at the School of Computer Science is
available
here.
Luca Aceto,
School of
Computer Science,
Reykjavik University.