Best Practice Design for Autonomic Applications in the Cloud

Applications are invited for a match-funded PhD studentship in the Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University and British Telecom (BT) Adastral park which is BT’s Global Research and Development Headquarters, beginning September 2017, located mainly at BT Ipswich and working under the supervision of Dr Sofia Meacham.

BT’s research team has strong interests and experience in autonomic (self-learning, self-configuring etc) modelling in different application scenarios that are ranging from networks to business processes. Cloud computing is increasingly used inside BT’s infrastructure in order to facilitate flexible and changeable application requirements (e.g. storage requirements for Big Data applications). The application of autonomics in the cloud is becoming increasingly important and therefore part of BT’s strategic research objectives.

The proposed studentship will focus on the emerging and challenging research area of using BU’s software engineering and neurocomputational modeling research for BT’s autonomic models in the cloud.
Therefore, the project has the following objectives:
1. Analysis of BT’s autonomic applications with emphasis on their transferability to the cloud.
2. Research on available cloud architectures.
3. Middleware design and development to enable autonomic applications in the cloud.
4. Assurance of adaptivity properties such as stability, robustness, etc.
5. Definition of best practice design framework for autonomic applications in the cloud.

The project will be mainly driven by the industrial partner’s requirements. BT will set specific application scenarios in the course of the project execution thus providing "real-world" case studies as well as dissemination of the project’s outcome.
This project aims at innovative and timely work in line with EU societal challenges. Autonomic systems are an important step towards the societal challenge of “smart environments with dynamic and adaptive configuration capabilities”. Increasing utilisation of cloud computing is part of the European Cloud Strategy.

How to apply: Applications are made via our website using the Apply Online button below. If you have an enquiry about this project please contact us via the Email NOW button below, however your application will only be processed once you have submitted an application form as opposed to emailing your CV to us.

Candidates for funded PhD studentship must demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 3 years.

Fully-funded studentship candidates must demonstrate outstanding academic potential with preferably a 1st class honours degree and/or a Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent Grade Point Average. An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 5.5 in each component) is essential for candidates for whom English is not their first language.

In addition to satisfying basic entry criteria, BU will look closely at the qualities, skills and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project in order to ensure successful completion.