The advent of programmable network switch ASICs and recent developments on other programmable data planes (NPUs, FPGAs) drive the renewed interest in network data plane programmability. The P4 language has emerged as a strong candidate to describe a protocol independent datapath pipeline. With its supported architectures, the P4 language provides an efficient way to define the packet processing and forwarding behavior. Exploiting the recent advances in programmable switching hardware, in-band network telemetry (INT) provides a more viable approach to network monitoring and telemetry analysis.

The objective of the PhD project is to understand how data-plane programmability can facilitate the design of the 'Responsible Interne', addressed within the scope of the project CATRIN (Controllable, Accountable, Transparent: The Responsible Internet). The goal of CATRIN is to propose and prototype a novel security-by-design concept and extension to the Internet that enhances Digital sovereignty; that is the ability for end users to have control over their own digital destiny – the data, hardware, and software that they rely upon. Specifically, the candidate will investigate how programmable data-plane solutions can address related problems (e.g., communication transparency) in a multi-operator environment, including but not restricted to telemetry and route optimization and control, adhering to transparency, reliability and controllability requirements imposed by CATRIN.

This position is one of the seven PhD vacancies available in the CATRIN project at TU/Twente, TU/Delft, TU/Eindhoven and University of Amsterdam. The goal of CATRIN is to startup the Responsible Internet, a novel security-by-design concept and extension to the Internet that enables higher levels of trust and sovereignty. CATRIN integrates technology, economics, and policy research to deliver a first operational multi-operator Responsible Internet. All the PhDs hired in the project contribute to this effort from different expertise angles.

You will be embedded in the MNS group. The group focuses its researches on the fundamental architectural problems that arise from the interconnection of systems and of data flows. We look at the emerging architectures that can support the operations of the future Internet.

What are you going to do

• Focus on the development and evaluation of a scalable system including an effective data-plane telemetry system to allow for user-driven programmable path control considering accountability aspects.
• Design and perform controlled experiments in a simulation environment or develop appropriate proof of concept(s) to benchmark the performance or validate the applicability of proposed approaches.
• Implement your solution and experiment with it on the national P4-programmable network operated by the 2STiC consortium.
• Become active in the research community and collaborate with other institutes and/or companies that are part of the project.
• Publish and present work regularly at international conferences, workshops, and journals.
• Assist in teaching activities (labs) and in supervising bachelor and Master students.

What do we require

• A Master's degree or equivalent program (completed or near completion) in a relevant discipline, such as computer science, electrical and computer engineering, security and network engineering etc.
• Prior experience in programmable networking protocols, such as P4 and sufficient programming skills (python, C/C++).
• A strong scientific interest in network architectures and Future Internet.
• The willingness to be part of an international research team.
• Fluency in oral and written English and good presentation skills.
• Commitment to maintaining an inclusive, collaborative, diverse, supportive work environment.

Fixed-term contract: 18 months.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of four years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of four years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and Master students. 

The salary, depending on relevant experience before the beginning of the employment contract, will be €2,434 to €3,111 (scale P) gross per month, based on a fulltime contract (38 hours a week). This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

Universiteit van Amsterdam

Met meer dan 6.000 werknemers, 30.000 studenten en een budget van ruim 600 miljoen euro, is de Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) een intellectueel knooppunt binnen Nederland. De UvA heeft zeven faculteiten waar onderwijs en onderzoek plaatsvinden op het gebied van geesteswetenschappen, sociale wetenschappen, economie en bedrijfskunde, rechtsgeleerdheid, natuurwetenschappen, geneeskunde en tandheelkunde. Midden in Amsterdam, op locaties waar disciplines samenkomen en elkaar beïnvloeden.  

De studenten en medewerkers van de UvA zijn onafhankelijke denkers en competente rebellen. Zij durven het aan om dogma’s in twijfel te trekken en nemen geen genoegen met simpele antwoorden of standaardoplossingen. Werken bij de UvA betekent werken in een onafhankelijk, creatief, innovatief en internationaal klimaat. Kenmerkend is de open sfeer en een authentieke betrokkenheid met de stad Amsterdam en de samenleving.

Faculty of Science – Informatics Institute

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The mission of the Informatics Institute is to perform curiosity-driven and use-inspired fundamental research in Computer Science. The main research themes are Artificial Intelligence, Computational Science and Systems and Network Engineering. Our research involves complex information systems at large, with a focus on collaborative, data driven, computational and intelligent systems, all with a strong interactive component.