[agents] PhD student in Supervision of Autonomous Software Systems at Utrecht University

[Dastani, M.M. (Mehdi)]

*PhD student in Supervision of Autonomous Software Systems at Utrecht 
University*

*Job description*
Modern software systems operate in increasingly dynamic settings and 
therefore need flexible and adaptive requirement models. For example, 
autonomous cars are expected to operate under changing traffic and 
weather conditions, based on which different requirements (e.g., traffic 
laws, speed limits, safety requirements) have to be satisfied. 
Similarly, massive multi-player online games are expected to run under 
varying game conditions and player types depending on week, day and 
time, and have to satisfy evolving requirements including game rules. In 
general, the requirements of software systems are in constant motion due 
to their continuously changing environments. In such settings, new 
functional requirements are added while others are dropped, the desired 
quality requirements vary, and the relative priority of the requirements 
evolves. Nonetheless, software systems are expected to perform optimally 
and comply with the evolving requirements, or at least minimize the 
deviations. Causes for non-compliance are resource scarcity, 
requirements conflicts, and quality requirements that cannot be fully 
satisfied.

The PhD project concerns the creation of an adaptive runtime supervision 
framework that continuously monitors the execution of software systems, 
evaluates their behavior against the current requirements, and 
intervenes by deciding which requirements should be added, ignored or 
weakened. The two main pillars of the envisioned approach are that:
1. accurate requirement models can be obtained only at runtime and 
through learning;
2. requirement revision, including requirement approximation, is 
preferred over system adaptation.

The project will be conducted under the joint supervision of Dr. Fabiano 
Dalpiaz (Software Systems) and Dr. Mehdi Dastani (Intelligent Systems).

The candidate is expected to:
- complete and defend a PhD thesis within the nominal time-frame of four 
years;
- regularly present intermediate research results at our internal 
colloquium and at international workshops and conferences;
- collaborate with other researchers both locally and internationally;
- assist in teaching activities.

*Requirements*
The candidate should have a master’s degree in computer science, 
software engineering, or artificial intelligence. Ideally, the candidate 
has background knowledge in all three fields. The ideal candidate should 
have excellent academic qualifications as well as good communication and 
collaboration skills. Candidates are expected to be in the upper segment 
of their class with respect to academic credentials and must show 
interest in an academic career, including both research and 
teaching/supervision activities.

*Conditions of employment*
The candidate is offered a full-time position for four years. Salary 
starts at € 2,191 and increases to € 2,801 gross per month in the fourth 
year of the appointment. 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. The research group will provide the candidate with 
necessary support on all aspects of the project.

*Employer*
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in 
executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht 
University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards 
major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions 
for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with 
a charming old center and an internationally oriented culture that is 
strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht city has been 
consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Netherlands.

The faculty of Science consists of six departments: Biology, 
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Information and Computing Sciences, Physics and 
Astronomy, Chemistry, and Mathematics

The faculty is home to 4800 students and nearly 1500 staff and is 
internationally renowned for the quality of its research. The faculty's 
academic programmes reflect developments in today's society.

The department of Information and Computing Sciences is nationally and 
internationally renowned for its research in computer science and 
information science. The research of the department is grouped into four 
divisions: Software Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Worlds, 
Interaction Technology

The department offers bachelor programs in computer science and 
information science, and four English-language research master-programs 
in Artificial Intelligence, Business Informatics, Computing Science, and 
Game and Media Technology. High enrolment figures and good student 
ratings make the education very successful. This PhD opening is a joint 
project between the department’s research groups in Artificial 
Intelligence and Software Engineering.

*Additional information*
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from: Dr. 
Fabiano Dalpiaz: f.dalpiaz at uu.nl.

*How to apply?*
Application should be made via the online application system of Utrecht 
University (find a link here: 
http://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university/jobs). 
Applications should include a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae and 
contact information (name, affiliation, email) of two referees.

The application deadline is *October 2, 2016*



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Mehdi Dastani
Intelligent Systems Group
Utrecht University
P.O.Box 80.089
3508 TB Utrecht
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 - 30 - 253 3599
Fax: +31 - 30 - 251 3791
URL: http://www.cs.uu.nl/~mehdi