Postdoc in Formal methods for Correct-by-Design of Autonomous Systems

The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract researchers and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The department of Computer Science and Engineering is strongly international, with approximately 300 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 postdoc position is placed in the Formal Methods research group in the Division for Computing science at the department, with the University of Gothenburg as the employer.

Subject area 

Formal methods (Correct-by-Design Techniques)

Subject area description 

Join the SynTM research project and be part of developing novel correct-by-design techniques for autonomous systems.

This position is part of a grant, named SynTM (from the Swedish Research Council), on automatic synthesis of programs for autonomous systems. Early results appeared in venues such as AAMAS, ACC, JAAMAS etc. Our goal is to build correct-by-design techniques for autonomous systems, including (but not limited to) controller synthesis.

The research group is part of the Formal Methods unit within the Computing Science division at the Computer Science and Engineering department. The unit and the broader division are lively environments with fun interactions between research areas such as Formal Verification, Functional Programming, Type Theory, Information Security and more.

Our research involves developing theories and techniques for formal verification of autonomous systems, e.g., controller synthesis, planning, run-time verification, model checking, etc. Moreover, we are open to techniques that leverage the use of formal verification in machine learning.

Currently, we are actively developing specialised tools for reconfigurable concurrent systems (the ReCiPe formalism, the R-CHECK Model-Checker, and the SynTM synthesis engine). Concrete tasks may involve (but not limited to) further developing existing theories and tools, developing case studies that showcase the practical impact of existing theories. However, there may be opportunities to broaden the reach of activities based on mutual interests.

Duties 

The position is a full-time position for two years in the Formal Methods research group at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. The successful applicant will be expected to conduct high-quality research and to publish in leading international venues. The applicant should be able to work both independently and as part of a team on research related broadly to the goals of the project and communicate the results verbally and in writing. 

Additionally, the successful applicant will be expected to perform teaching activities including supervision of Bachelor's and Master's thesis projects for at most 20% of her/his time, as well as possible co-supervision of PhD students.

Eligibility 

The eligibility criteria for employing teaching staff are set out in Chapter 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the Appointment Procedure for Teaching Posts at the University of Gothenburg. 

To be eligible for appointment as a postdoc, the applicant is required to have a doctoral degree, a doctoral degree in art or a foreign degree that is deemed to be equivalent to a doctoral degree. This eligibility requirement must be met before the employment decision is made. 

In the first instance, those who have completed their degree no more than three years prior to the end of the application period shall be considered. Those who have completed their degree more than three years prior to the end of the application period may also be considered in the first instance if special grounds exist. Special grounds relate to leave of absence due to illness, parental leave, commissions of trust within union organisations, service within the defence services or other similar circumstances, as well as clinical service or service/assignment relevant to the subject area.  

Assessment criteria 

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

Competitive candidates are expected to have a strong background, with an excellent publication record, and experience of working with one (or more) of the following:

• Formal methods (e.g., concurrency, automata, or temporal/spatial logics, etc) or discrete control (e.g., planning, supervisory control, or controller synthesis, etc).
• Verification tools such as Model Checkers, Synthesis Engines, etc.
• Prior experience in combining reinforcement learning with reactive synthesis and/or control is a plus.

However, we also welcome candidates working on nearby areas who would be interested in getting into the field.

Experience of supervising doctoral students, master's students, and teaching in third cycle courses will also be considered as a merit.

The applicant should be able to work both independently and as part of a team. The abilities to cooperate and to take own initiatives are important qualities together with accuracy and interest in research.

When evaluating the applicants, particular emphasis will be put on research skills in the relevant research field.

Whereas both Swedish and English are used in undergraduate courses, English is the working language for research at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Thus, both verbal and written fluency in English is mandatory for candidates.

Employment 

Type of employment: Fixed-term employment, 24 months, central agreement
Extent: 100% of full time
Location: Department of Computer Science and Engineering/Division of Computing Science, Formal methods research group
First day of employment: 2024-06-01 or according to agreement

Contact information 

If you have any questions about the projekt, please contact Yehia Abd Alrahman (yehia.abd.alrahman@gu.se)
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Aarne Ranta (aarne.ranta@cse.gu.se)
If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR-partner Robin Garnham (robin.garnham@chalmers.se)

Unions 

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here: https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande  

Application 

Submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by clicking the “Apply” button. It is your responsibility to ensure that the application is complete as per the vacancy notice, and that the University receives it by the final application deadline. 

The application is to be written in English and should include,

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Family name) including:

• CV, include complete list of publications;
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences;
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name), 1-3 pages where you:

• Introduce yourself;
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results;
• Describe your future goals and future research focus.

Other documents:

• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

 

Applications must be received by: 2024-05-21

 

Information for International Applicants 

Choosing a career in a foreign country is a big step. Thus, to give you a general idea of what we and Gothenburg have to offer in terms of benefits and life in general for you and your family/spouse/partner please visit: 

https://www.gu.se/en/about-the-university/welcome-services 
https://www.movetogothenburg.com/ 

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.