PhD Candidate for Coalgebra and Semantics (1.0 FTE)

• Employment: 1.0 FTE
• Gross monthly salary: € 2,434 - € 3,111
• Faculty of Science
• Required background: Research University Degree
• Application deadline: 10 September 2021

Do you aim to bridge the gap between computer science theory and application? As a PhD Candidate, you conduct research at the intersection of semantics, category theory and coalgebra. You have plenty of freedom to define your own research direction, and can contribute to building a toolkit for constructing, combining and analysing distributive laws.

As a PhD candidate on this project, you will conduct research in theoretical Computer Science at the intersection of semantics, category theory and coalgebra.

Coalgebra is an elegant mathematical theory of state-based systems (transition systems, various kinds of automata, probabilistic models), based on category theory. In this context, distributive laws capture the interaction between coalgebra and algebra, and have shown to be very useful as a general way of modelling programming language semantics, as well as automata constructions and powerful co-inductive proof techniques.

The aim of the project is to investigate distributive laws in their own right, and build a toolkit for constructing, combining and analysing them. You can build on several existing approaches, but will have plenty of freedom to define your own direction and focus.

Profile

• You hold an MSc or equivalent degree in Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related field.
• You are able to work both independently and as part of a team.
• You are proficient in English (Dutch is not required).
• Prior knowledge of coalgebra is not required; basic knowledge of category theory will be helpful. Most important is that you are excited about abstract structures in theoretical Computer Science.

We are

This position is part of the Software Science group of the Institute for Computing and Information Sciences (iCIS) at Radboud University. Our mission is to conduct top-notch research on the use of models for design and analysis of software, bridging the gap between theory and applications.

The Faculty of Science is a complete science faculty where research and education are closely intertwined. The faculty aims to be an academic community with an international character, where staff members from different backgrounds combine their talents with the common goal of being a leading faculty of science in Europe.

Radboud University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and as such encourages applications from women and minorities. The university offers customised facilities to better align work and private life. Parents are entitled to partly paid parental leave and employees enjoy flexibility in the way they structure their work. The university highly values the career development of its staff, which is facilitated by a variety of programmes.
We offer

• Employment: 1.0 FTE.
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,434 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,111 in the fourth year (salary scale P ).
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract).
• The intended start date is flexible, but 1 January 2022 the latest.
• Your education task may be up to 10% of your appointment.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services . Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions . You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Would you like more information?

For more information about this vacancy, please contact:
Jurriaan Rot, Assistant Professor
Email: [email protected]

Practical information and applications

Please address your application to Jurriaan Rot and submit it, using the application button, no later than 10 September 2021, 23:59 Amsterdam Time Zone.   

Your application should include the following attachments:

• Letter of motivation.
• CV.
• Transcript of grades.
• Master thesis if available.

The first round of interviews will take place in the week of 20 September 2021.

We drafted this vacancy to find and hire our new colleague ourselves. Recruitment agencies are kindly requested to refrain from responding.