PhD position Trustworthiness of Auto-Generated Systems

We are seeking a motivated PhD student to work on the challenge of ensuring trustworthiness for auto-generated software.

The increasing reliance on third-party software, including the use of AI agents for code, significantly enhances the efficiency of software development. However, this also introduces substantial trust issues concerning the safety, security, and correctness of the final product.

The goal of this PhD project is to design language-agnostic abstractions and technologies that enable the safe and secure integration of third-party code into existing projects.

This project bridges the software engineering requirements with the formal methods guarantees. The prospective PhD student will be using their deep understanding of programming languages, formal specifications, and program analysis to, first, formalize the challenges arising from integrating code into evolving software, and, second, to design and implement solutions to address these challenges.

Requirements:

• A Master’s degree in computer science.
• Knowledge and interest in programming languages and formal methods.
• Strong software engineering skills.
• Curiosity and agility to understand and navigate new technologies when applicable.
• Has an inclusive mindset and values good communication.     

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.

Salary Benefits:

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 € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 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.
For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

36 - 40 hours per week

Mekelweg 2