The term “Cyber-physical system” is an umbrella term for systems that combine physical mechanisms (e.g. robot arms, pumps or sensing devices) with software controllers. These are becoming increasingly ubiquitous – robot vacuum cleaners, UAVs, and automated insulin pumps for diabetics are just a few examples.
Cyber-physical systems can be extremely challenging to test. Their behaviour can be difficult to control and explore because it can depend on complex interactions between sensor inputs and physical system states, potentially involving timing constraints and having to accommodate external environmental conditions as well. Tests can take a long time to run, and the inevitable variability in their behaviour can make them hard to validate. At the same time, good tests are crucial because these systems are often safety-critical.
In this project, you will develop a new testing approach to work around these limitations. The approach will be grounded in a statistical analysis framework known as “Causal Inference”. For this, you will be able to build our preliminary work on applying Causal Inference to testing Computational Models (through our ongoing EPSRC CITCOM project).
The ultimate goal will be to produce a tool-supported testing approach, where a developer can specify their expectations of how a cyber-physical system should behave in terms of relationships between inputs and outputs. Your tool will (potentially automatically) run tests on the system to identify situations where the system might end up in a state that is dangerous or unanticipated.
To apply for the studentship, applicants need to apply directly to the University of Sheffield using the online application system. Please name Neil Walkinshaw as your proposed supervisor.
Required Qualifications.
Ideally a BSc. or MSc. in Computer Science. We are however also happy to consider degrees from related disciplines that involve software development.
How to Apply
Complete an application for admission to the standard Computer Science PhD programme
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply
Applications should include a research proposal, CV, transcripts and two references.
The research proposal (up to 4 A4 pages, including references) should outline your reasons for applying for this scholarship and how you would approach the research, including details of your skills and experience that might apply to software development, cyber-physical systems, testing or Causal Inference.
The deadline for applications is Friday 14th May at 5pm.
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