We solicit applications for PhD studentships and postdoctoral research 
positions in the area of verifying probabilistic programs. 

The positions are funded by the recently acquired ERC Advanced Grant

    "Formal Reasoning about Probabilistic Programs (FRAPPANT)".

What is this project all about?
Probabilistic programs describe recipes on how to infer statistical
conclusions about data from a complex mixture of uncertain data and
real-world observations. They can represent probabilistic graphical
models beyond the capabilities of Bayesian networks and are expected
to have a major impact on machine intelligence.

The FRAPPANT project aims to develop formal program analysis techniques,
leveraging model checking, deductive verification, and static analysis
for probabilistic programs. Challenging problems such as checking
program equivalence, loop-invariant and parameter synthesis, program
repair, program robustness and exact Bayesian inference using weakest
precondition reasoning will be tackled. The developed techniques will be
evaluated in the context of probabilistic graphical models, randomised
algorithms, and autonomous robots.

Your required profile
Applicants for a PhD position have (or soon obtain) a master degree in
Computer Science, Mathematics or related area and have completed their
studies with excellent grades. Applicants for a postdoctoral researcher
position have in addition completed a PhD in one of the aforementioned
areas and have a good publication track record. Candidates should have
an interest in performing original, highly competitive scientific
research within a research group, publishing your results in top
conferences and scientific journals. Fluency in English is required;
proficiency in German is helpful but not compulsory.

What do we offer?
We offer a stimulating international research environment, the
possibility to participate in highly competitive and interdisciplinary
research and the opportunity to involve students in your research
through project work. Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers have a
status as employee with a salary according to the German federal
employee scale TV-L E13 or E14 depending on your experience; the exact
salary is subject to your family situation.

The positions are funded for two years with a possible extension of
another two years. The positions are available from November 1, 2018,
but there is flexibility w.r.t. the starting date. RWTH Aachen
University offers excellent facilities for professional and personal
development.

How to apply?
Your application should contain: a curriculum vitae, a transcript of
records (list of courses and grades), and two references. Please send
your application as a single pdf-file ultimately by June 22, 2018
(AoE) to: katoen@cs.rwth-aachen.de.

Enquiries can be sent to Joost-Pieter Katoen (e-mail:
katoen@cs.rwth-aachen.de).

RWTH Aachen University is certified as a “Family-Friendly University”.
We particularly welcome and encourage applications from women, disabled
persons and ethnic minority groups, recognizing they are
underrepresented across RWTH Aachen University. The principles of fair
and open competition apply and appointments will be made on merit.