PhD Studentship in Binary Translation for Reliable Microprocessors

The Project

Applications are invited for a PhD student to work on binary translators for improving reliability in general-purpose computer architectures.

Our research group has developed a number of approaches for increasing the reliability of applications through a novel use of parallelisation. Building on the success of the ParaMedic and ParaDox hardware schemes, we seek to use binary translation to exploit program parallelism to enhance the reliability of future microprocessors. We wish to modify applications on-the-fly to provide reliable execution in the presence of errors in commodity systems, such as those using Arm's DynamIQ technology. The successful candidate will develop binary analyses and translation schemes to identify opportunities and take advantage of them. They will work closely with a team of PostDocs and PhD students, as well as an industrial project partner.

Research Group

Our group consists of PostDocs and PhD students investigating performance, reliability and security in future many-core systems. The position is within the Computer Architecture Research Group at the University of Cambridge Department of Computer Science and Technology , a vibrant and internationally leading environment. Collaboration with researchers at other universities and industry around the world is encouraged and there are strong links within the group with local, national and international companies.

Candidates

We seek candidates with a strong background in Computer Science (1st class honours degree or equivalent, although a Master's is particularly desirable) with a particular interest in binary translation. Experience of using a tool such as DynamoRIO or Pin would be helpful, as would familiarity with working in teams with robust engineering practices (version control, continuous integration, automated testing). An awareness of the challenges and potential solutions to reliability at the microprocessor level would be useful.

This position is open to applicants from anywhere in the world; all university fees will be paid by the project and the successful candidate will receive a stipend at the UKRI rate , currently £15,609 per year.

More Information

The funds are available for a start date in January 2022 but there is flexibility to enable a start in April or October 2022.

Please provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter outlining your relevant past experience, drawing particular attention to relevant hardware or software experience and linking to one or more examples of code written (e.g. a GitHub handle). If there are specific areas you would like to research, please indicate these in the letter.

Students wishing to pursue a PhD at the University of Cambridge are required to submit a short research proposal outlining the work they intend to carry out during the PhD. Candidates should get in touch to discuss this before applying, outlining their ideas for initial research directions. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please quote reference NR28131 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.