Assistant Positions in Software Component Technology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

       Assistant Positions in Software Component Technology
     Department of Computer Science - ETH Zurich, Switzerland


The Software Component Technology group is recruiting one or two
assistants (PhD students) to work on the European research project
"Mobility, Ubiquity and Security: MOBIUS", aiming at developing the
technology for establishing trust and security for the next generation
of global computers, using the Proof Carrying Code paradigm. The
project will start September 1, 2005.

Within the Mobius project, the research of the Software Component
Technology group focuses on the following research areas:

  * Correctness of Java and Java bytecode programs: We study the
    combination of classical verification techniques and enhanced type
    systems. By combining these two approaches, we aim at developing
    powerful reasoning techniques that enable a high degree of
    automation. We also investigate how proofs for source programs can
    be converted into Proof Carrying Code certificates for bytecode.
    
  * Type systems to support program verification: Many interesting
    program properties can be expressed and checked syntactically by
    sophisticated type systems. For instance, ownership type systems
    can describe and check properties of pointer structures. Our goal
    is to develop type systems that facilitate reasoning about the
    correctness and security of object-oriented programs. We also
    study inference and bytecode verification for these type systems.


Assistants are expected to participate in teaching, especially in the
areas object-oriented programming, software engineering, formal
methods, semantics of programming languages, and project
management. Among others, teaching activities include supporting
courses and seminars as well as advising students doing project and
Master's work.

Applicants must have a very good degree in Computing Science or in a
related subject with a strong Computing Science component. They must
also have documented practical experience in object-oriented
programming and expertise in formal methods.  Since assistants are
expected to work towards a PhD, a strong interest in doing research as
well as a good knowledge of English is required.

The following qualifications are not mandatory, but increase the
chances of a success:
  * Experience with Java, Java bytecode, and JML
  * Knowledge of Proof-Carrying Code
  * Experience with theorem provers such as Isabelle or PVS
  * Knowledge of German


We favor diversity; it doesn't matter where you come from as long as
you have the ability and enthusiasm to help advance the frontiers of
software technology. ETH administrative requirements specify that you
should have a Master's degree (US, UK, Australia ...) or a degree
considered equivalent such as a German-style Diplom or a French-style
DEA. If you are not sure about equivalences feel free to ask.

An assistant position is a regular job with social benefits. 
Assistants at ETH receive an attractive salary and have access to
excellent facilities in one of the world's top computer science
departments.  Zurich has just been voted #1 again in the world for
quality of life
(www.location.zh.ch/internet/vd/awa/standort/en/wirtschaft/leben.html).
The prospective assistants enjoy the benefits of a young team and the
close cooperation with their advisor as well as the opportunities of
collaborating with all members of the Chair of Software Engineering
(Prof. Bertrand Meyer and Prof. Jean-Raymond Abrial).

For the web site of the Software Component Technology Group consult
http://sct.inf.ethz.ch.  Questions on the positions and applications
should be sent to Prof. Peter Müller ([email protected]) or
to the postal address below.
Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a brief description of
research interests, and, if possible, letters of recommendation from
teachers or employers.

Postal Address:
  ETH Zurich
  Chair of Software Engineering
  Prof. Peter Müller
  ETH Zentrum, RZ J9
  CH-8092 Zurich
  Switzerland

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Department of Computer Science, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
www: sct.inf.ethz.ch, phone: +41 44 63 22868, fax: +41 44 63 21435
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