2 PhD Positions Find2Fix: Reducing Software Errors using Transparant AI

Find2Fix will engineer the first open-source tool for the entire process from software error discovery to mitigation based on modern active learning (PhD1) and synthesis (PhD2) technology.

Job description
You will research the state-of-the-art in AI and apply it to real-world software problems at our industrial partners: ASML and DCODIS (a start-up). This is technically challenging applied research with as main outcome a proof-of-concept tool that allows developers to quickly find and fix software errors including security vulnerabilities. You will innovate the Find2Fix pipeline by making the different steps, including found issues and suggested patches, easier to understand using interpretable AI using state machine models and LLM-based explanations. You will provide the community with the first tool for self-healing software that is useful for research, education, and industrial use. Your research will be published and presented at international AI, software engineering, and security venues.

The first position is focused on discovering new errors using behavioural models learned from software. You will extend fuzzing technology by learning such models in real-time and using them to: guide the fuzzer, discover logical faults, and pin-point their root cause. This builds on the works of the cyber analytics lab (www.cyber-analytics.nl) and CISElab (www.ciselab.nl) at TU Delft.

The second position is focused on finding patches for already discovered errors. You will research and extend template- and LLM-based program repair using modern program synthesis techniques based on the Herb toolkit (herb-ai.github.io).

The project is a close collaboration between the labs at TU Delft and the digital security and software science departments at Radboud University, where two additional PhD students will work on the Find2Fix project. Together with the rest of the team, you will build demonstators for the Find2Fix technology at our industrial partners.

You will work in the cyber analytics and CISE labs in the Algorithmics and Software Engineering Research groups at the Software Technology department under supervision of dr. Sicco Verwer, dr Annibale Panichella, and dr. Sebastijan Dumancic. The Algorithmics group aims to design, and understand fundamental properties of algorithms for intelligent decision making in real world applications, such as for coordinating electrical loads within network constraints, planning logistic processes on a container terminal, or finding the root-cause of a system failure. Apart from dealing with the scalability challenge, we work on two main research objectives. First, we aim to understand how to learn models that are useful for upstream planning, scheduling, and verification tasks, and how to deal with their uncertainty. Our second research objective is to understand how to effectively incorporate behaviour and preferences of stakeholders in the algorithmic decision-making process. The Software Engineering Research Group has a strong focus on empirical research, conducted in close collaboration with software development practice. SERG is known for its research on software testing, program analysis, mining software repositories, and empirical software engineering with close collaboration with industry partners.

As a candidate, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with experienced researchers, attend conferences, and experience an international research environment. The position will focus on research, with optional contributions to education and supervision of students.

Job requirements

• You have a master's degree in computer science, artificial intelligence, or mathematics.
• You can demonstrate an interest in computer security.
• In addition to a curious mind, you possess excellent programming skills.
• You have excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Siccco Verwer, via s.e.verwer@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 30 March 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV.
• Motivational letter indicating which position you are interested in PhD1 or PhD2, and why.
• Two reviews of recent scientific papers by dr. Verwer, dr. Panichella, or dr. Dumancic. Each has to be about one page in length.

You can address your application to Siccco Verwer.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

36 - 40 hours per week

Mekelweg 5