PhD student position in Language-based Security using Functional Languages

Information about the division
The Department of Computer Science and Engineering is a joint department at Chalmers University of Technology and the University of Gothenburg, with activities on two campuses in the city of Gothenburg. Our research has a wide span, from theoretical foundations to applied systems development.

The PhD student will join a high-profile group of researchers on software security with a rich network of collaborators and visibility across several research communities, namely security, programming languages, and systems research. Researchers at Chalmers have been responsible of developing some of the state of the art tools for protecting users' private data in Haskell programs (e.g., LIO https://hackage.haskell.org/package/lio and MAC https://hackage.haskell.org/package/mac).

Position summary
The position focuses on developing techniques to protect confidentiality and integrity of users' data when manipulated by untrusted code -- a pressing problem for the web as well as mobile platforms. We expect functional programming to play an important role addressing this challenge, where it is expected that the work carried out by the applicant ranges from establishing new theoretical foundations to deploying prototypes in production systems. We are looking for candidates with strong background in programming languages who are also interested in building systems using their ideas. The candidate is expected to pursue one or more of the following topics:

* Combining type-systems features and dynamic analysis to secure functional languages, where the main target is Haskell programs.

* Leveraging hardware-level security components (e.g, Intel SGX and ARM TrustZones) to provide security in depth, where private data can be protected from the application level down to the low-level physical layers by the use of, for instance, foreign function calls.

* Design of secure web frameworks to control the flow of information in an end-to-end fashion, i.e., at the server side as well as in web browsers. We envision the creation of a secure web frameworks based on functional reactive programming (FRP).

As an introduction to the research area, applicants are recommended to read the article Functional Pearl: Two can keep a secret if one of them uses Haskell (http://www.cse.chalmers.se/~russo/publications_files/pearl-russo.pdf). This position will be supervised by Prof. Alejandro Russo (http://www.cse.chalmers.se/~russo/).

PhD student positions are for up to five years of full-time employment; normally, 20% of the time is allocated to departmental work (mainly teaching duties). The salary for the positions is as specified in Chalmers's general agreement for PhD student positions. The position is intended to start early 2017.

Qualifications
The successful applicant need to have a Masters degree or a degree of similar level in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related discipline. You may apply if you have not completed all requirements for your degree, provided you will have before the position at Chalmers starts.

Competitive candidates will have a strong computer science background, both theoretical and practical, with emphasis on programming languages techniques; expertise in some of the areas of interests for this position; a passion for high-quality software research and development; and excellent analytical and communication skills. Prior publications are meritorious.

Whereas both Swedish and English are used in undergraduate courses, English is the working language for research in Chalmers's Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Thus, fluency in English is mandatory for candidates, but knowledge of Swedish is not required.

To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in a relevant field.

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in Swedish and English. If Swedish is not your native language, you should be able to teach in Swedish after two years. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Application deadline: 30 November 2016

For questions, please contact:
Prof. Alejandro Russo, russo@chalmers.se

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!