=============================================================================== VACANCY : 1x Phd Student in domain specific type error diagnosis for Haskell =============================================================================== The activities of the Software Systems division at Utrecht University include research on programming methodologies, compiler construction, and program analysis, validation, and verification. For information about the research group of Software Technology, see: http://www.cs.uu.nl/wiki/Center Financed by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), we currently have a job opening for: * 1x PhD researcher (Ph D student) Software Technology Domain-specific languages (DSLs) have the potential both to reduce the effort of programming, and to result in programs that are easier to understand and maintain. For various good reasons, researchers have proposed to embed DSLs (then called EDSLs) into a general purpose host language. An important disadvantage of such an embedding is that it is very hard to make type error diagnosis domain-aware, because inconsistencies are by default explained in terms of the host language. We are currently looking for a highly motivated Ph D student to investigate this problem in the context of the functional language Haskell. The basic approach is to scale the concept of specialized type rules as developed by (Heeren, Hage and Swierstra, ICFP '03, see link below) for Haskell '98 to modern day Haskell with all of its type system extensions. The work is both technically challenging, i.e., how do you ensure that modifications to the type diagnositic process do not inadvertently change the type system, and practically immediately useful: making domain-specific type error diagnosis a reality for a full sized language such as Haskell is likely to have a pervasive influence on the field of domain-specific languages, and the language Haskell. The ICFP '03 paper can be found at http://www.cs.uu.nl/people/jur/scriptingthetypeinferencer.pdf A project paper that describes the context and aims of the current project can be found here: http://www.cs.uu.nl/people/jur/tfp2013_submission_2.pdf At first, the work will be prototyped in our own Utrecht Haskell Compiler. If succesfull, the work will also make its way into the GHC. We expect the candidate to communicate the results academically, to present the work at scientific conferences, to supervise Master students, and to assist in teaching courses at Bachelor or Master level. --------------------------------- What we are looking for --------------------------------- The candidate should have an MSc in Computer Science, be highly motivated, speak and write English very well, and be proficient in producing scientific reports. Knowledge of and experience with at least one of the following two areas is essential: * functional programming, and Haskell in particular * type system concepts Furthermore, we expect the candidate to be able to reason formally. Experience in compiler construction is expected to be useful in this project. --------------------------------- What we offer --------------------------------- You are offered a full-time position for 4 years. The gross salary is in the range between Û 2083,- and maximum Û 2664,- per month. The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8,3% per year. In addition we offer: a pension scheme, a partially paid parental leave, flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities. We aim to start November 1, 2013 at the latest, but preferably sooner. --------------------------------- In order to apply --------------------------------- To apply please attach a letter of motivation, a curriculum vitae, and (email) addresses of two referees. Make sure to also include a transcript of the courses you have followed (at bachelor and master level), with the grades you obtained, and to include a sample of your scientific writing, e.g., the pdf of your master thesis. It is possible to apply for this position if you are close to obtaining your Master's. In that case include a letter of your supervisor with an estimate of your progress, and do not forget to include at least a sample of your technical writing skills. Application closes on the 20th of June 2013. For application, visit http://www.cs.uu.nl/vacatures/en/583630.html and follow the link to the official job application page at the bottom. --------------- Contact person --------------- For further information you can direct your inquiries to: Dr. Jurriaan Hage Phone: (+31) 30 253 3283 e-mail: J.Hage@uu.nl. website: http://www.cs.uu.nl/wiki/Hage/WebHome