PhD Studentship - Automated Synthesis of Ambient Systems 
========================================================
School of Computing Science, Newcastle University, United Kingdom
Reference Code: CS013

Details:
Name of the supervisor: Dr Marta Pietkiewicz-Koutny
Sponsor:  School of Computing Science
Duration of the award: 3 year PhD

There is a growing need to develop formal techniques for computational models 
capable of faithfully modelling systems whose behaviour combines synchrony with 
asynchrony (in this case, synchrony is related to logical or physical closeness 
of system components, and asynchrony to the operation of distant or loosely 
connected subsystems). One way of capturing the resulting behaviours is to use 
Petri nets with localities (PNL) where transitions are partitioned into 
disjoint groups within which execution is synchronous, and otherwise it 
proceeds asynchronously. Much more complicated behaviours, however, are those 
exhibited by ambient systems where subsystems can change their localities 
dynamically in response to their migration or system reconfiguration.

Within the domain of rigorous system design, automated synthesis from 
behavioural specifications is an attractive and yet underdeveloped approach of 
constructing computational systems. Synthesis procedures guarantee that the 
resulting systems are correct, and so the process of system verification 
becomes redundant. 

The proposed PhD project would be structured into three parts: semantic 
definition of Ambient Petri Nets (APN); algorithms for synthesis of APNs from 
behavioural specifications given in terms of labelled transition systems; and 
implementation of tools for the synthesis of APNs from behavioural 
specifications. 

Value of the Award and Eligibility
The studentship is funded by the School of Computing Science. The eligibility 
criteria are the same as for EPSRC studentships with the exception that 
candidates who are permanent legal residents in the EU qualify for the full 
studentship inclusive the full maintenance grant (stipend). The stipend is 
£14,790 (2010/11) per year. The studentship is not available for candidates 
from outside of the EU.

Person Specification
You should have a First class honours degree in Computing Science, Mathematics, 
or other relevant science subject. Equivalent experience will also be 
considered.  

How to Apply
You must apply through the University's online postgraduate application form 
inserting the reference number CS013 and selecting 'PhD COMP', with programme 
code 8050F, as the programme of study.  Only mandatory fields need to be 
completed and a covering letter, CV and (if English is not your first language) 
a copy of your English language qualifications must be attached. The covering 
letter must state the title of the studentship, quote the reference number 
CS013 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project.

You should also send your covering letter and CV by e-mail to Dr Marta Koutny 
([email protected]), Lecturer, project supervisor, and Mrs Catherine 
McAndrew ([email protected]), Postgraduate Secretary, School of Computing 
Science, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, Newcastle University.

Closing date for applications: 12th September 2010

Further Information
For further details, please contact Dr Marta Pietkiewicz-Koutny, 
[email protected], +44 (0) 191 222 7957.

See also: www.ncl.ac.uk/pg/fund/cs013

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