Fully Funded Doctoral Studentship in Automated Verification of Firmware

The Verification Research Group is offering a fully funded D.Phil studentship in Oxford University's Department of Computer Science. This position is associated with the Intel project "Effective Validation of Firmware", led by Daniel Kroening, Thomas Melham and Luke Ong. The project consortium includes the University of British Columbia, Princeton University, and Rice University. The goal of this project is the development of automated validation techniques for low-level software that interacts closely with hardware components, e.g., to minimise the power consumption of a processor. The project covers a broad range of topics including the following: 

• hardware/software modelling,
• automated generation of models using machine learning techniques,
• automated software verification for C/C++/SystemC and low-level assembler,
• concurrency
• new programming languages and type systems, especially for resource usage and environment modelling.

The project will cover both theoretical foundations and the implementation of prototype software tools. Proposals for doctoral study in any of the above-mentioned topics relevant to the project are invited, including a clear statement of how they contribute to the project.  Successful applicants will be working with a first class team and have an exciting and unusual opportunity to work with major commercial company.

The studentship is fully funded (at EU fees level - overseas candidates will need supplementary funding) for 3 years and is available immediately but with a start date no later than October 1st 2012. The studentship includes a stipend of at least £13,590 per year as well as provision for travel to project meetings and conferences.

Candidates must satisfy the usual requirements:

http://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/admissions/dphil/dphil-criteria.pdf

for studying for a doctorate at Oxford. We will consider students with skills in theoretical computer science and in any of the above-mentioned areas. Candidates must have good writing, communication,
presentation, and organization skills.

Applications can be made online here:

https://apply.embark.com/grad/Oxford/15/ 

When applying for these studentships, please quote the following studentship codes: 

12-COMP-DK-WEB (if you are applying from Computer Science Departmental web pages)

12-COMP-DK-JOBS (if you are applying via jobs.ac.uk)

The closing date for applications is 18th December, 2011. If you have any questions about the studentship or application process please email  Julie.sheppard@cs.ox.ac.uk