Research Associate (PostDoc) in Software Engineering On Software Testing and Automated Debugging

SnT is a leading international research and innovation center in secure, reliable, and trustworthy ICT systems and services. We play an instrumental role in Luxembourg by fueling innovation through research partnerships with industry, boosting R&D investments leading to economic growth, and attracting highly qualified talent.

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability, and Trust (SnT) invites applications from Ph.D. holders in the area of Software Engineering and Computer Science. SnT is carrying out interdisciplinary research in secure, reliable, and trustworthy ICT systems and services, often in collaboration with industrial, governmental, or international partners.  For further information, you may check: www.securityandtrust.lu

We are looking for people driven by excellence, excited about innovation, and looking to make a difference. If this sounds like you, you have come to the right place!

As the successful candidate, you will join the Security, Reasoning, and Validation (SeRVal) group of the SnT led by Prof. Yves Le Traon and Prof. Mike Papadakis. The SerVal group has strong expertise and a well-known reputation in software engineering, including software testing and automated debugging. This is evident with quality publications in reputable Software Engineering venues, e.g., ICSE, TSE, and FSE.

The candidate will work on a project supported by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR), in collaboration with Dr. Ezekiel Soremekun (Research Associate at SeRVal, SnT), Prof. Mike Papadakis (Deputy head of SeRVal, SnT), and Prof. Marcel Böhme (Faculty at Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy (MPI-SP)).The candidate will contribute to research in the area of Software Engineering, in particular, Software Testing and Automated Debugging.

In this project, the candidate will build practical techniques for automated debugging and software testing, i.e., tools applicable in software development environments. Among many tasks, the candidate will conduct experiments examining the performance of testing and debugging techniques in real-world settings. The project will also investigate human factors in testing and debugging, i.e., how developers test and debug (via surveys/interviews, and human studies).

The topics that may be explored include (but are not limited to):

• Contributing to the design, implementation, and evaluation of software testing and automated debugging techniques for real-world software development pipelines (e.g., Continuous Integration (CI) infrastructure)
• Applying empirical methods to evaluate and design software testing and debugging techniques (e.g., human studies and human-in-the-loop techniques)
• Suggesting relevant techniques and methods that achieve the aforementioned goals
• Co-advising Ph.D. students working in the area of Software Engineering, especially on program analysis and software testing
• Teaching and fostering interest in Software Testing and Automated Debugging
• Publishing your research contribution in top-venues in Software Engineering

The results of this project will be provided as tools and techniques for software developers and deployed in software development environments. The findings and results will also serve as empirical data and benchmarks for software engineering researchers.

Qualification: The candidate should possess a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in Software Engineering or Computer Science with strong programming skills, a strong background in software testing and automated debugging is desirable. Experience in conducting empirical evaluations, user studies, usability studies, or human studies is also desirable.

Experience: The ideal candidate should have some knowledge and/or experience in a number of the following topics:

• Software Engineering
• Software Testing
• Automated Debugging
• Automated Fault Localization
• Automated Program Repair

Strong software development skills are mandatory. Knowledge of software testing and automated debugging will be considered as assets. Skills in related domains (e.g., automated program repair, automated fault localization, or defect prediction) will be appreciated.

Language Skills: Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are required.

• Exciting infrastructures and unique labs. At SnT’s two campuses, our researchers can take a walk on the moon at the LunaLab, build a nanosatellite, or help make autonomous vehicles even better
• The right place for IMPACT. SnT researchers engage in demand-driven projects. Through our Partnership Programme, we work on projects with more than 45 industry partners
• Be part of a multicultural family. At SnT we have more than 60 nationalities. Throughout the year, we organise team-building events, networking activities and more

Find out more about us!

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Kirchberg (Esch/Belval from 1st  January 2024)
• Job Reference: UOL04722

The yearly gross salary for every Postdoctoral Researcher at the UL is EUR 75.285 (full time)

Applications should include:

• Full CV, including list of publications and name (and email address, etc) of three referees
• Transcript of all modules and results from university-level courses taken
• Research statement and topics of particular interest to the candidate (300 words)
• Motivation letter

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by Email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University’s faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.