Postdoctoral position in Program Analysis or Systems

Fixed term appointment for up to 36 months

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in the Software Reliability Group, under the direction of Prof. Cristian Cadar.

We are looking for motivated applicants with expertise in program analysis and/or software systems.

The research will be part of the ERC Consolidator Grant Project PASS: Program Analysis for Safe and Secure Software Evolution, and will focus on helping software systems evolve safely and securely. PASS aims to take a holistic approach to the challenges of safe and secure software evolution, by combining offline program analysis to verify or comprehensively test software changes, with runtime mechanisms for keeping the software updated and secure against potentially erroneous changes that make it into the deployed system.

To apply, you will need to have a proven knowledge in either program analysis or systems and a proven research record and publications in one of these areas.

We welcome two types of applications. On the program analysis side, we expect a strong background in program analysis and at least one publication in top venues in software engineering (particularly ICSE, ESEC/FSE, ASE, ISSTA), programming languages (particularly ASPLOS, PLDI, OOPSLA), or security (particularly CCS, USENIX Security, IEEE S&P). You should familiarise yourself with the research of the Software Reliability Group (see our projects and publications) particularly the KATCH, Chopper and CsmithEdge projects.

On the systems side, we expect a strong background in computer systems and at least one publication in top venues in computer systems (particularly SOSP/OSDI, EuroSys and USENIX ATC) or systems security (particularly CCS, USENIX Security, IEEE S&P). You should familiarise yourself with the research of the Software Reliability Group (see our projects and publications) particularly the Varan and Mvedsua projects.

You must have a PhD (or equivalent) in an area pertinent to this position. Candidates close to completion of their PhD will also be considered, but will be initially appointed as Research Assistants within the salary range £35,477 - £38,566 per annum.

You must have excellent communication skills and be able to organise your own work with minimal supervision and prioritise work to meet deadlines.

The Department of Computing at Imperial College London is a leading department of Computer Science among UK Universities. The department has achieved top results in each of the research assessment exercises undertaken by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. There are over fifty academic staff members actively involved in research, creating a lively and stimulating atmosphere. The department is located in central London, next to Hyde Park and the museums of South Kensington.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be more flexibility regarding the start date, and applicants can (or might have to) start working from home.

Informal inquiries are encouraged and can be addressed to Prof. Cristian Cadar.

How to apply

Applications must include the following:

  • An online application form available at https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/description/ENG01487/research-associate-program-analysis-or-systems.

  • A two-page CV including a publication list.

  • A two-page research statement which should indicate what you see are interesting research issues relating to the above post, to which ares (program analysis or systems) your background aligns best, and why you think your expertise is relevant. Generic research statements which do not address the points above will likely lead to the application being dismissed.

  • Transcripts of all university and PhD results.

  • The names and contact information of two or three referees who can provide letters of recommendation.

If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview and asked to solve a practical task.

Should you have any queries regarding the application process please contact Jamie Perrins, Administrative Assistant, at j.perrins@imperial.ac.uk.

Committed to equality and valuing diversity. We are also an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Stonewall Diversity Champion, a Two Ticks Employer, and are working in partnership with GIRES to promote respect for trans people.