| vispc |
Description |
Computing Department, The Open University, UK in cooperation with Microsoft Research
(MSR) Cambridge.
· Bursary of up to 24,000 GBP (equiv. 33,000 EUR) per year (tax-free) up to a maximum
of three years (subject to PhD student fee deduction), plus equipment (laptop).· Attendance
at MSR summer schools; potential for an (additionally paid) internship at MSR.
The Open University (OU) maintains a highly regarded research base at its central
headquarters in Milton Keynes (near London and within one hour from Cambridge and
Oxford). The Department of Computing is part of the Computing Research Centre. The
Software Engineering and Design research group in the Department has a world class
research record and reputation in requirements and security engineering; software
architecture, design and evolution; automated software engineering; and empirical
studies of software development.Microsoft Research Cambridge was founded in 1997 and
now numbers over 100 employees. The Cambridge lab conducts basic computer science
research on a wide variety of topics, including machine learning, security, information
retrieval, operating systems, programming techniques, and networking.
We are very pleased to offer a PhD Studentship funded through the Microsoft Research
PhD Scholarship Programme. This prestigious programme recognises and supports exceptional
students who show the potential to make an outstanding contribution to science and
computing. Broadly, the grant entitled"Verifying Implementations of Security Protocols
in C (Csec)"has the goal to develop formally based techniques and tools to support
the development of security-critical software. More specifically, the aim is to analyse
implementations of cryptographic protocols in the widely used programming language
C against IT security requirements. The PhD project is jointly supervised by Andrew
D. Gordon (MSR), Jan Jürjens (The Open University), and Bashar Nuseibeh (The Open
University).
The start date of the studentship is flexible but should be within 2008. The award
will run for 3 years and includes no teaching obligations.The applicant should have
(or expect to have by the start of the scholarship) a very good Masters level degree
in Computing, Mathematics, or a related field. Experience or strong interest in one
or more of the areas of programming languages, formal methods, computer security,
or compilers would be an advantage.
Informal requests for further information to any of the PhD supervisors are encouraged.
Contact details can be found at the following web-sites:· Andrew D. Gordon
· Jan Jürjens· Bashar Nuseibeh
Applications should consist of an application form, a full CV including the names
and addresses of three referees, a two page research statement (indicating what you
see are interesting research issues relating to the project and what relevant experience
you have) and transcripts of all degree results. Applications should be submitted
by 22 February 2008 to:Research School
The Open UniversityMilton Keynes, MK7 6AA
UKPlease, in addition, send an electronic copy of the application material to: Bashar
Nuseibeh |
