Two PhD Candidates on the Intersection of Model-Based Testing, Software Product Lines and High-Tech Systems

Interested in researching the latest model-based software testing techniques and applying them on advanced high-tech cyber-physical systems? Join us on the 'TiCToC' project - Testing in Times of Continuous Change. We are looking for two excellent PhD candidates on the intersection of model-based testing, software product lines and high-tech systems to conduct research on TiCToC topics, and carry out case studies at TiCToC industrial partners.
PROJECT: TiCToC - Testing in Times of Continuous Change

High-tech, cyber-physical systems come in many variants, customised for various users. These systems evolve over time to adapt to changing requirements and contexts. The number of possible different variants is growing exponentially, making testing of systems with high variability and evolution a major challenge. The TiCToC project will investigate methods and tools to manage and reduce the combinatorial explosion of testing such systems. TiCToC will follow a formal, model-based approach using component-based and feature-driven testing. Topics include model-based software testing, algorithmic test generation, formal models, domain-specific languages, component-based testing, feature-driven testing, variability, software product lines, evolution, test-impact analysis, test coverage, test tools, and applications in high-tech, cyber-physical systems.

TiCToC is part of the MasCot partnership programme, a collaboration between NWO, ESI (TNO), ASML, Philips Health Care, Canon Production Printing, and six universities, with in total 11 PhD candidates. The overall goal of this programme is to develop new engineering methodologies that help manage the increasing complexity of designing, building and testing high-tech, cyber-physical systems. Part of the research will be done at the partner companies, thereby providing an opportunity to learn about different industrial cases and to build up a strong network with industry, ESI (TNO), and the fellow MasCot PhD candidates.

• A Master's degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Software Engineering, or a related area, with excellent grades.
• Enthusiasm for both performing innovative, competitive scientific research, and applying scientific results in industry.
• Ability to work independently, as well as a team player in research and industrial groups.
• Willingness to spend part of the research time at the TiCToC industrial partners.
• Skilled in formal and abstract thinking.
• Fluency in English.

Expected research outcomes include publications, (prototype) tools, industrial case studies, and a PhD thesis.

Radboud University

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 22,000 students and 5,000 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

The positions are available in the Software Science group of the Institute for Computing and Information Sciences (iCIS) at Radboud University. Research at iCIS focuses on software science, digital security and data science. Our research mission is to improve the security and reliability of software systems and algorithms through mathematically based theories, methods and tools. During recent evaluations, iCIS has been consistently ranked as the No. 1 computing science department in the Netherlands. Evaluation committees praised our flat and open organisational structure, our ability to attract external funding, our strong ties to other disciplines, and our solid contacts with government and industrial partners. The Software Science group is well-known for its contributions to the mathematical foundations of software, formal methods, functional programming, program verification, model learning, and model-based testing. 
The Faculty of Science is a complete science faculty where research and education are closely related. 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 RU 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.