[TYPES/announce] postdoc or research engineer on "model technology for embedded systems", Verimag, Grenoble

[Susanne Graf]

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Research engineer position on
Model transformation for design and validation
of embedded systems

http://www-verimag.imag.fr/index.php?page=annonce_post_doc_graf
http://www-verimag.imag.fr/
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CONTEXT:

A strong research effort has been devoted to the definition of methods and tools 
  to improve software quality, in particular in the domain of safety critical 
and  embedded systems, where model-based approaches have been deployed for many 
years  in specific contexts. This trend has increased with the general trend 
towards the use of model-based techniques and component-based design in software 
engineering.

The work is to be carried out in the context of the SPEEDS European Integrated 
Project (http://www.speeds.eu.com). The 15 partners include important industrial 
users (Airbus, EADS, SAAB, Bosch, IAI, Magnus Steyr), software development tool 
providers (Esterel Technologies, Geensys, Telelogic, Extessy, IBM), and 
academics (Verimag, INRIA, OFFIS, Parades) leading in the domain of model-based 
development of embedded systems.

The aim of this project is to allow the developer of an embedded system to use 
heterogeneous modelling paradigms in a uniform framework thanks to
  - the existence of a common semantic-based exchange format HRC associating 
"rich interfaces" with components, where rich interfaces include contracts as 
behaviour abstractions of functional and non functional aspects.
  - scalable validation (based on simulation, formal verification, static 
analysis, ...) using a large spectrum of analysis tools on HRC (structure + 
contracts)
  - application to case studies


OBJECTIVES:

We aim at building a tool chain which allows contract-based validation based on 
model transformations and existing analysis engines. This tool chain will
- transform contracts from a pattern-based property language into HRC
- do scalable contract analysis by transformation of HRC into
our BIP language and a representation of BIP in the syntax of the Maude rewrite
engine
- do analysis using the Maude and BIP analysis engines
- be integrated into the SPEEDS tool environment and be used in case studies

This tool chain is today partially realised, but some intricate problems remain 
to be solved. Maude is an open source rewrite engine (http://maude.cs.uiuc.edu) 
and BIP, the acronym standing for Behaviour - Interaction - Priority, a new 
component framework for the validation and design of heterogeneous embedded 
component systems (http://www-verimag.imag.fr/~async/bip.php)

EXPECTED SKILLS:

The candidate is expected to hold a PhD in software engineering. He will use and 
propose innovative engineering methods for the development of embedded software 
systems. There are concrete goals to be achieved and longer term objectives to 
be built up. This position should fit for a candidate envisaging a career as a 
researcher or as a research engineer in software engineering.

The particular skills that the candidate should bring are
  - experience with model-driven technologies (Eclipse, EMF,
Meta-modelling, ATL, Java, OCL, ...)
  - some knowledge of the application domain, that is formal methods and
embedded systems, is desirable
  - written and oral communication in English is a must
  - the candidate should be open minded to drive into new domains and
ready for team work

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Working environment and Location
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VERIMAG (http://www-verimag.imag.fr) is a leading research centre in embedded 
systems of the Grenoble Universities (http://www.grenoble-universites.fr) and 
CNRS (http://www.cnrs.fr). VERIMAG hosts about 80 people, including 40 PhD and 
postdoc students. VERIMAG is the coordinator of the European Network of 
Excellence ARTIST (http://www.artist-embedded.org). The founder of VERIMAG, 
Joseph Sifakis, obtained the 2007 Turing award for his pioneer work on 
model-checking.

Grenoble is also called the capital of the French Alps and is one of the most 
active areas in Europe for research in Information and Communication 
Technologies. And the recently launched "Campus" project 
(http://www.minatec.com/actualite/articles/CP_OperationCampus-07-2008.pdf) is 
likely to increase even more this attractivity.


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APPLICATION
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STARTING DATE, DURATION, TERMS of EMPLOYMENT

A full-time position as contractual research engineer, available immediately. 
The initial contract is until end of 2009 and might be further extended up to an 
overall duration of 3 years. The salary will be between 2500 EUR and 3200 EUR 
gross per month depending on qualifications and experience.


CONTACT

The application should consist of a motivation letter and a curriculum vitae. 
Contact information for referees may be joined. Applications and requests should 
be sent to:
   Susanne Graf, CNRS Research Director at VERIMAG
   Susanne-dot-Graf-at-imag-dot-fr     (http://www-verimag.imag.fr/~graf)

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