Lund University, LTH, Department of Computer Science

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

We are looking for a prospective doctoral student with an interest in embedded systems, distributed computing and streaming applications, keen on collaborating with the industry on current problems. The position is offered by the Department of Computer Science, which hosts 40 researchers and 25 doctoral students. The student will be part of the Embedded Systems group, that conducts research in collaboration with nearby industry and universities.

Project Description
This thesis project aims to advance the deployment, execution and optimization of streaming applications on heterogeneous distributed embedded systems. Audio/video streaming and many other signal processing applications are naturally described by the dataflow model of computation. The hardware intended to run to such applications is typically very specialized, heterogeneous, distributed and constrained by cost, performance and available energy. Implementing streaming applications on such hardware is currently an art form, requiring expertise, trial-and-error, and extensive manual labour, as there are few design techniques and analysis tools able to handle this task. Deciding what functionality to run, when, and where, how and when to communicate is key to achieving the right performance, with the available energy budget. Methods and tools that can automate these steps are essential to the industry operating in the area.

Within this project you will be able to work closely with industrial partners on real applications from different domains (e.g. audio/video streaming, IoT, automotive, machine learning). You will be able to focus on modelling computing platforms and propose architectural and runtime environment extensions specific to deploying and executing streaming applications; you will also devise analysis techniques for different metrics (e.g. performance, energy, reliability) specific to streaming application running on distributed architectures. You will also be able to influence hardware design by offering insights and improvements relevant to architectures running streaming applications.

Work Duties
The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties also include teaching and other departmental duties (at most 20%).

Admission Requirements
A candidate meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if she or he:

  • has been awarded a second-cycle qualification or
  • has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
  • has acquired considerable equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A candidate meets the specific admission requirements for third-cycle studies in Computer Science if she or he has acquired:

  • at least 60 second-cycle credits at an advanced level with relevance for the research topic, or
  • an MSc in Engineering in Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Engineering Physics or Engineering Mathematics

Additional requirements:

  • Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Assessment Criteria
Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following:

  1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study
  2. Ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems
  3. Written and oral communication skills
  4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience

Other assessment criteria:

  • Very good skills in programming and mathematics
  • Knowledge of different programming languages and computational models
  • Knowledge of computer architectures and distributed systems
  • As a plus will count documented experience with the following:
    real-time systems, hardware design, network programming, compiler techniques, optimization methods, machine learning
  • Documented scientific or technical writing proficiency and publication record will also be regarded as a plus

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of Employment
Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1—7 §§.

The start date will be decided based on a mutual agreement. We fully understand that there are currently limited opportunities for traveling and moving.

Instructions on How to Apply
Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter, a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, grade transcripts, contact information for two references, and other documents you wish to be considered (letters of recommendation, list of publications, etc.). The cover letter should state the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background.

You are also asked to answer the job specific questions.

Type of employment Temporary position
First day of employment According to the agreement
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2020/3304
Contact
  • Flavius Gruian, Senior lecturer , +46462224518
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
  • SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-222 93 66
Published 23.Oct.2020
Last application date 20.Nov.2020 11:59 PM CET

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