Project Description

One fully funded PhD position to work with Dr Elizabeth Polgreen in the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh, on a project titled “Program Synthesis: Advances and Applications”.

Program synthesis is the task of automatically generating code that satisfies a given specification. This project focuses on program synthesis techniques where the specification takes the form of logical constraints, such as “Syntax-Guided Synthesis”. The aim of the project is to push the state-of-the-art in program synthesis through developing new synthesis algorithms and to explore novel applications of program synthesis.

Funding Information

The studentship starting in the academic year 2021/22 covers:

• Full time PhD tuition fees for a student with a Home fee status (£4500 per annum) or Overseas fee status (£24,700 per annum)
• A tax free stipend of GBP £15,609 per year for 3.5 years.
• Additional programme costs of £1000 per year.

Eligibility Requirements

• Strong interest in programming languages
• Prior experience in the area of program synthesis is not expected
• A good Bachelors degree (2.1 or above or international equivalent) and/or Masters degree in a relevant subject (physics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, or related subject)
• Proficiency in English (both oral and written).

Application Process

Applicants should apply via the University’s admissions portal (EUCLID).

Applicants should state “Program Synthesis: Advances and Applications” and the research supervisor (Dr Elizabeth Polgreen) in their application and Research Proposal document.

Complete applications submitted by 30 September 2021 will receive full consideration; after that date applications will be considered until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is 01 January 2022 but depending on the details and circumstances of the successful applicant, earlier or later start dates can be considered.

Applicants must submit:

• All degree transcripts and certificates (and certified translations if applicable)
• Evidence of English Language capability (where applicable).
• A short research proposal (max 2 pages)
• A full CV and cover letter describing your background, suitability for the PhD, and research interests (max 2 pages).
• Two references (note that it the applicant’s responsibility to ensure reference letters are received before the deadline).

Only complete applications (i.e. those that are not missing the above documentation) will progress forward to Academic Selectors for further consideration.

Supplementary Information

The School of Informatics is one of the largest in Europe and currently the top Informatics institute in the UK for research power, with 40% of its research outputs considered world-leading (top grade), and almost 50% considered top grade for societal impact. The University of Edinburgh is constantly ranked among the world’s top universities and is a highly international environment with several centres of excellence.