PhD Position in Quality Assurance for Software Frameworks in Evolution Catholic University of Leuven Department of Computer Science Belgium

Application deadline date has been passed for this Job.
Exploreture
  • Post Date: December 1, 2021
  • Applications 0
  • Views 956
Job Overview

PhD Position in Quality Assurance for Software Frameworks in Evolution

Academics | St. Vincent School of Theology

The imec-DistriNet research group is part of the Department of Computer Science at KU Leuven and part of the imec High Impact Initiative Distributed Trust. The general domain of expertise and innovation of DistriNet is the development of open software for advanced applications. imec-DistriNet was founded in 1984 and has built up experience and expertise in complex software systems since. The research has expanded from pure distributed operating systems to support platforms for distributed applications. Currently the DistriNet group works on a wide range of problems involving computer networks, middleware, distributed systems, embedded systems, multi-agent systems, security and internet middleware.

Project

Quality assurance for software frameworks in evolution – a case for software resilience
==================================================================

A recent report on “Current and future challenges of software engineering for services and applications” stresses the importance as well as challenges of (1) software quality assurance, (2) lifecycle management, and (3) software design. This research position tackles these issues from a specific perspective.

Quality assurance in evolving software frameworks
————————————————————————————–

A software framework is a design and implementation artefact that provides a software architecture, design and code (frozen spots) for a specific application domain, with foreseeable extensions for application-specific customisations (hot spots). But similar to ‘regular’ products and services, frameworks are susceptible to frequent change, due to:

  • changing or new requirements
  • extension of scope of the framework (narrowing or widening)
  • design overhaul
  • code revisions/refactorings

In this research, you will study agile development and evolution of software frameworks. Topics in the research may include:

  • process guidelines for evolving frameworks, in line with the agile manifesto
  • CD/CI and framework version control, targeting a suitable branching model and guidelines for framework engineering
  • quality measures and quality assurance throughout the framework lifecycle: (1) component specifications (hotspots and frozen spots), (2) automated verification and testing

Context: resilient embedded software in the presence of bit flips
————————————————————————————–

The research will be guided and inspired by a concrete use case. Through the years, we have been developing components and algorithms for resilience of software for embedded systems. Embedded systems in real and possibly harsh environments are susceptible to external disturbances, which can lead to bit-flips. Such bit-flips lead to run-time errors in the embedded software, such as control flow errors (CFE) and data flow errors (DFE).
Software-implemented resilience techniques enable detecting these run-time errors and taking corrective actions. Tailored tools allow e.g. for code generation as a compiler plug-in, evaluation through fault injection, simulation, support for various hardware platforms.
These assets make an interesting body of knowledge that may be helpful for external parties, both industry and research.

A well-thought software framework that supports evolution should enable a rigorous and flexible engineering approach for integrating new techniques and algorithms, and for tailor solutions for software (1) with application-specific characteristics, and (2) that executes on specific platforms under particular environmental conditions.

Profile

If you share our strong interest in software engineering and if you have

  • a master in computer science,  electronics or  (or equivalent),
  • an analytical mind and technical skills,
  • optionally some industry experience,
  • fluent English communication skills,

then you may be the researcher we are looking for!

Expertise with engineering non-trivial software systems, formal methods or embedded software development are a plus.

Offer

We offer a 4 year PhD position in a internationally renowned research group.

You will work in a supportive and collaborative team in which you can develop know-how and expertise in state-of-the-art technologies.
You get the opportunity to build up research and innovation skills that are essential for a future career in industrial as well as academic research and development environments,

Interested?

Vul contactpersonen aan in stap 1 “Context vacature” en hergenereer deze tekst.

You can apply for this job no later than December 22, 2021 via the
KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.
  • Employment percentage: Voltijds
  • Location: Leuven
  • Apply before: December 22, 2021
  • Tags: Computerwetenschappen

 

Apply Soon!

Job Detail
  • Offered SalaryNot Specified
  • Career LevelNot Specified
  • ExperienceNot Specified
  • GenderBoth
  • INDUSTRYEducation
  • QualificationMaster's Degree(M.Sc.)
Shortlist Never pay anyone for job application test or interview.