freebsd jobs - Feb 2014 - Research assistants/postdocs on the Cambridge/SRI CTSRD Project - Cambridge, UK

Dear all:

We are pleased to announce a job ad for two new research assistants or
post-doctoral research associates working on the University of Cambridge
Computer Laboratory's CTSRD Project, whose target research areas include OS,
compiler, and CPU security. This is a joint project between the University of
Cambridge?s Security, NetOS, and Computer Architecture research groups, as well
as the Computer Science Laboratory at SRI International. (Astute FreeBSD-facing
observers will have seen a pretty large number of commits as part of this
project over the last few years -- Capsicum, MIPS, LLVM, LLDB, Qemu userspace
emulation, mature OS/ports cross-build, etc -- exciting stuff!).


Research Assistants and Associates in OS, Compiler and CPU Security
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 18 months in the first
instance.

We are seeking multiple Research Assistants and Post-Doctoral Research
Associates to join the CTSRD Project, which is investigating fundamental
improvements to CPU-architecture, operating-system (OS), program-analysis, and
programming-language structure in support of computer security. The CTSRD
Project is a collaboration between the University of Cambridge and SRI
International, and part of the DARPA CRASH research programme on clean-slate
computer system design for security. More information may be found at:

	http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/research/security/ctsrd/

This position will be an integral part of an international team of researchers
spanning multiple institutions in academia and industry. Successful candidates
will contribute to the larger research effort by performing system-software,
compiler, and hardware implementation and experimentation, developing and
evaluating novel hypotheses about refinements to the vertical hardware-software
stack. Possible areas of responsibility include: modifying OS kernels (e.g.,
FreeBSD), adapting compiler suites (e.g., Clang/LLVM); extending an open-source
Bluespec-based research-processor design (CHERI); supporting an early-adopter
user community for open-source hardware and software; and improving the quality
and performance of hardware-software prototypes. The successful candidate must
be willing to travel in the UK and abroad engaging with downstream user
communities.

Ideal candidates for the post-doctoral position will hold, or shortly complete,
a PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, or similar, and have a strong
publication track record in the research areas of interest. Ideal candidates for
the research-assistant position will hold, or shortly complete, an undergraduate
or Masters degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or similar. Both positions
require significant experience with the C programming language, at least one
UNIX-like operating system, and revision control. An ideal candidate would also
have practical experience with at least one of the following: OS-kernel
development, compiler internals, or Bluespec System Verilog. Knowledge of
computer security is highly desirable.

Good interpersonal and organisational skills and the ability to work in an
international team at multiple sites are also essential.
A successful applicant starting as a Research Assistant (without a PhD) will
start at Grade 5 (?24,289 ? ?27,318) and a successful applicant starting as a
Research Associate (with a PhD) will start at Grade 7 (?28,132 ? ?36,661).

This post is intended to start on 1 July 2014, although flexibility is
available.

Questions about the post may be addressed to Dr Robert. N. Watson
<robert.watson at cl.cam.ac.uk>

Applications are preferred via University?s Web Recruitment System, where you
will need to register an account (if you have not already) and log in before
completing the online application form. Please ensure that you upload your
Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a brief statement of the contribution you would make
to the project in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload
any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to
consider these as part of your application. Please quote reference NR02839 on
your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy. The University
values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity. The University has
a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in
the UK.

DEPARTMENT/LOCATION
Computer Laboratory

SALARY
?24,289-?36,661

REFERENCE
NR02839

CATEGORY
Research

PUBLISHED
25 February 2014

CLOSING DATE
28 March 2014