Position Description ==================== The Coordination and Component Based Software group in SEN3 at CWI has an open position for a PhD student (OIO) for four years. The PhD student will perform research in the context of the BSIK project BRICKS (Basic Research in Informatics for Creating the Knowledge Society). BRICKS addresses the need for a strong impulse in fundamental research in informatics. The participation of SEN3 in BRICKS focuses on the component-based development of large software systems. These components can be viewed as the basic building blocks out of which larger software systems can be constructed, by composing the components together within large networks. Since components in an application are supposed to be highly independent of each other and of their environment, it is the responsibility of their connecting network to coordinate their individual activities to ensure their proper co-operation with one another to form a coherent whole. Aside from its clear advantages in construction of traditional complex software, this approach is a vital necessity in the development and deployment of software for an emerging class of systems that cater to ubiquitous computing and mobile applications. These systems must always be on and cannot be shut down or rebooted for software upgrade or configuration adjustments. On the other hand, they must change in reaction to the changes in their environment, such as evolving user requirements or relocation. Incremental, dynamic composition of software out of components is the only way to accommodate the requirements of such systems. The component networks of these applications are typically active in that their various connections will vary and change at run time, reflecting the dynamic changes in the communication structure of their components. The main aim of the present PhD research project is the development of compositional methods, tools, and formal techniques for the dynamic composition of components, the validation of their composition, and the validation of components themselves. The candidate for the PhD position should have a masters degree in computer science or mathematics, with a clear interest in questions in the field of theoretical computer science. Ideally, the candidate has a background in such topics in theoretical computer science as automata theory, semantics and proof theory. The Theme SEN3 (http://www.cwi.nl/sen3) at CWI is a dynamic group of internationally recognized researchers who work on Coordination Models and Languages and Component-Based Software Composition. The activity in SEN3 is a productive, healthy mix of theoretical, foundational, and experimental work in Computer Science, ranging in a spectrum covering mathematical foundations of models of computation, formal methods and semantics, implementation of advanced research software systems, as well as their real-life applications. General information =================== CWI is an internationally renowned research institute in mathematics and computer science, located in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The focus is on fundamental research problems, derived from societal needs. Research is carried out in 15 research themes. More information about these themes can be found on the website www.cwi.nl where you can also take a look at our Annual Reports. A substantial part of this research is carried out in the framework of national or international programs. CWI maintains excellent relations with industry and the academic world, at home as well as abroad. After their research careers at CWI, an increasing number of young staff members find employment in these sectors, for example in spin-off companies that are based on research results from CWI. Of course, library and computing facilities at CWI are first-rate. CWI's non-scientific services to its personnel include career planning, training & courses, assistance in finding housing, and tailor-made solutions to problems that may occasionally arise. Terms of employment =================== The salary is in accordance with the "CAO-onderzoekinstellingen" and is commensurate with experience. The starting salary for a first year PhD student is around 1850 Euros/month with an incremental raise for each subsequent year. Besides the salary, CWI offers very attractive and flexible terms of employment, like a collective health insurance, pension-fund, etc. Application =========== For more information on these vacancies you can contact either of the PIs: F. Arbab, telephone +31-20-5924056, e-mail Farhad.Arbab@cwi.nl F.S. de Boer, telephone +31-20-592-4139, email F.S.de.Boer@cwi.nl Official applications, together with curriculum vitae, letters of references, and lists of publications must be sent to Mrs. J. Koster, head of Personnel Department, P.O. box 94079, 1090 GB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.