[TYPES/announce] PhD position at University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

[Patricia Johann]

                      PhD Position
                          in
  Operational and Categorical Approaches to Parametricity

      Department of Computer and Information Sciences
           University of Strathclyde, Scotland


Applications are invited for one PhD position within the newly-formed 
Mathematically Structured Programming group at the University of 
Strathclyde. The group comprises Prof. Neil Ghani, Dr. Patricia Johann, 
and Dr. Conor McBride. The funded PhD project centers around operational 
and categorical approaches to relational parametricity, which serves as 
the basis for deriving both structured tools for programming with, and 
effective techniques for reasoning about, functional programs, solely from 
their (polymorphic) types. The project aims to develop the theoretical 
foundations of parametricity for languages supporting advanced datatypes 
--- such as nested types, GADTs, and their mixed-variance versions --- as 
well as to apply these foundations to program transformations and other 
applications. The project is under the direction of Patricia Johann.

The successful applicant will have an MSc in Mathematics or Computing 
Science or a related subject with a strong Mathematics or Computing 
Science component. Ideally, they will also have a strong, documented 
interest in doing research. Strong mathematical background and 
problem-solving skills are essential; good programming skills are a plus. 
Prior knowledge in the areas of operational semantics, category theory, 
and/or parametricity is an advantage, but is not required.

The PhD position is for 3 years; the start date is negotiable. The 
position is a fully-funded post for a home (i.e., UK) student, and 
includes both coverage of fees and an EPSRC-level stipend for each of the 
three years. For European students, the post covers only fees (i.e., no 
stipend is available).

More information about the department is available at

       http://www.strath.ac.uk/cis

The University of Strathclyde (http://www.strath.ac.uk) is located in the 
heart of Glasgow, which Lonely Planet Travel Guides hail as "one of 
Britain's largest, liveliest and most interesting cities" (see 
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/scotland/glasgow/). Southern 
Scotland provides a particularly stimulating environment for researchers 
in theoretical computer science, with active groups in this area at 
Heriot-Watt University, the University of Edinburgh, the University of 
Glasgow, the University of St. Andrews, and the University of Strathclyde.

Requests for further information and other informal enquiries can be sent 
to:

       Patricia Johann
       Patricia.Johann at cis.strath.ac.uk

(The group is currently in the process of moving to the University of 
Strathclyde, so the above is the best contact address for the duration of 
the summer. Students interested in joining the group to work on other 
topics should contact Prof. Ghani at Neil.Ghani at cis.strath.ac.uk, since 
further positions are expected soon.

Those interested in the position are asked to send e-mail to the address 
given above. Full Details of the application process are available upon 
request, but an application will include:

   1. A cover letter stating the applicant's specific interest in the
      project.

   2. A full curriculum vitae, including an abstract of the applicant's
      graduate thesis and the name of their supervisor.

   3. Letters of recommendation or references from at least two
      scientific staff members. (Letters of recommendation should either
      be included along with the application, or should arrive
      separately promptly.)

   4. A completed application for postgraduate study at the University
      of Strathclyde.

Applications, forms for letters of recommendation, and instructions are 
available at

       http://www.strath.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduateapplications/

Applications will be considered until the position is filled, but those 
received on or before

       15 August 2008

will have priority.