Software-defined and programmable networking is a key enabling technology to support 6G in achieving their promises of increased scalability and flexibility at a lower cost. Deep network programmability, that is the ability to program the network fabric both vertically (control and data plane) and horizontally (end to end), is expected to characterize the new generation of mobile networks (6G), currently under development, towards supporting extreme performance requirements and service-specific operations.

The objective of the PhD project is to develop a framework consisting of a set of programming language methodologies and tools for the specification, verification and generation of software and configurations for programmable data planes. Making data-planes programmable (e.g., using the P4 language) enables unprecedented network flexibility, often at the cost of robustness and security.

These challenges require domain-specific, formally verified, and empirically tested solutions that curtail the underlying complexity through the introduction of layers of abstraction. The candidate will contribute to the design and evolution of domain-specific languages, software verification techniques and programming environments that enable network operators to deploy verified programs with CI/CD pipelines for programmable data planes. To achieve this, the candidate will study, develop and apply programming language techniques such as static and runtime verification, formal specification, and language design, translation and implementation.

The research is conducted within the scope of the Future Network Services (FNS - https://futurenetworkservices.nl/): the 6G flagship project for the Netherlands where 60 leading ICT businesses, mobile operators, semiconductor manufacturers and research institutions, have united to spearhead the development of specific aspects of 6G: Software antennas, AI-driven network software, and groundbreaking 6G applications.

You will be embedded in the MNS group. The group focuses its research 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. More information can be found at: https://mns-research.nl/.

You will be collaborating closely with the CCI research group. The CCI group focuses on the complexity of man-made systems on all scales. The challenges of such systems are addressed by research into distributed data processing, programmable networks, policy reasoning and normative control, hardware and cryptographic security, and programming languages and software language engineering. More information can be found at: https://cci-research.nl/

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Evaluate and further develop of domain-specific languages for programmable data planes (such as P4) and formal verification techniques for network configurations, software and protocols;
• develop and evaluate CI/CD environments and pipelines for deeply programmable networks, generating fast, correct, secure and debug-able network software;
• empirically validate the proposed approaches by developing and demonstrating proof of concepts;
• access a unique state-of-the-art testbed to also put theory to practice and be at the forefront of the Dutch 6G national ecosystem.;
• 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.

Your experience and profile:

• Master's degree or equivalent program (completed or near completion: see below) in a relevant discipline, such as computer science, software engineering, security and network engineering;
• excellent programming skills in a variety of languages, including functional languages;
• familiarity with programming language techniques such as compilers and type systems;
• prior experience with software verification is a plus, such as operational semantics, model checking, symbolic execution, and dependently typed programming;
• prior experience in programmable networking technologies and domain-specific languages is a plus, especially languages such as eBPF and P4;
• 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.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 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 4 years). The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. 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 gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,770 in the first year to € 3,539 in the last year (scale P). UvA additionally offers an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UFO profile PhD Candidate is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• Multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• A complete educational program for PhD students;
• Multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• Multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• Partly paid parental leave;
• The possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• A pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• The possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• Help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 42,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science (FNWI) has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 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 (IvI) 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.

The Complex Cyber Infrastructure (CCI) group (https://cci-research.nl) is part of the Informatics Institute at the University of Amsterdam. CCI focuses on the complexity of man-made systems on all scales. This scale can be small, like the devices that you carry with you, or the apps they are running, or the communication protocols these apps use to interact. It can be also comprehensive, as in large systems such as data centres or multi-domain networks.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.