** apologies for multiple postings ** University of Technology, Sydney School of Computing Sciences ________________________________________________________ Two Research Positions ________________________________________________________ We have recently been awarded a 3-year grant from the Australian Research Council for our project Shape-based programming: sharpening the tools This project will develop a new programming language, FISh2 which combines the expressive power of functorial polymorphism as developed in Functorial ML with the efficient execution based on shape analysis, as developed in FISh1. FISh2 will support both functional and imperative programming styles across a wide range of data types. A key application area is high-performance computing, where high expressivity and performance are both key issues. A second goal is to develop a specialised version of FISh, called GoldFISh, which supports a shape-based cost model that is able to predict performance across a wide range of parallel architectures. Postdoctoral Research Fellow ---------------------------- The postdoctoral research fellow will take a key role in the implementation of FISh2. This will require broad understanding of typed programming languages, the ability to convert high-level language designs, often expressed in formal logical notation, into implementations written in both functional and imperative styles. They must be willing to learn the principles of shape theory. A doctorate in a relevant branch of computer science or mathematics is essential, as is the demonstrated ability in at least one of the areas of compiler construction, semantics of programming languages or parallel programming. Knowledge of some of type theory, term rewriting, functional programming, skeletons or data distribution strategies is desirable. The applicant must have personal skills adequate to work in a small team with both senior and junior colleagues, and written communication skills appropriate for producing clearly documented code, user documentation, material suitable for the web-site, and formal papers for refereed publication. The position is full-time for three years at a salary of Australian $43,254 - $55,418 p.a. beginning early in 2000. Research Assistant Grade 2 -------------------------- The second assistant will develop most of the benchmarking programs necessary to establish that FISh2 and GoldFISh have the properties we claim for them. This will require the ability to learn novel, and unstable programming languages without adequate documentation. They must be able to give informal feedback on the usability of the language. They must understand the basic principles of parallel programming. They must use these languages to encode applications from science and engineering, and perform tests to capture execution properties. They must be willing to assist in other duties, such as web-site maintenance, as required. They will be set weekly goals, and expected to seek help actively when necessary. A first degree in a relevant branch of computer science is essential, as is some knowledge of functional programming, the use of types in programming, and principles of program testing and benchmarking. Experience in system development is desirable. Both Positions --------------- Address initial enquiries to Associate Professor Barry Jay, Phone: (612) 9514 1814 E-mail: cbj@socs.uts.edu.au Applications should address the selection criteria available from the School of Computing Sciences web site on http://www.socs.uts.edu.au/posvacant/ or from Recruitment on (612) 9514 1087 and list name, address, phone and fax numbers and email addresses of three referees, and quote the appropriate Reference Number above. Applications should be forwarded by 15th February, 2000 to: THE RECRUITMENT OFFICER, UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SYDNEY PO BOX 123, BROADWAY, NSW 2007 Interviews will be conducted in early March, 2000. Equal Employment Opportunity is University policy. UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SYDNEY POSITION DESCRIPTION Research Assistant, Grade 7-8 Incumbent: Date: 18/11/99 Reports to: C.B. Jay Written by: C.B. Jay Faculty: Maths and Computing Sciences School: Computing Sciences Location: City, Building 4, 5th floor Approvals: Position: 1: J Edwards: _____________ Head of School, Computing Sciences 2: G McLelland: _______________ Acting Dean, Faculty of Maths & Computing Sc 3: ____________________ ____________________________ ________________________________________________________ ACCOUNTABILITY OBJECTIVE The research assistant is responsible for supporting A/Prof C.B. Jay and Dr G. Keller in achieving the goals of their ARC large grant (2000-2002) "Shape-based programming: sharpening the tools". DIMENSIONS $ value of grant: $56,000 - 60,000 p.a. Period of grant: 3 years No. of staff: 1 NATURE AND SCOPE The University's mission is to produce the highest quality education for the professions at both undergraduate and postgraduate level and to carry out research and consultancy of relevance to industry and business. The University is spread over four campuses in the Sydney metropolitan area. Approximately 22,000 students are enrolled in the University's ten faculties, which offer a broad spectrum of undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing professional education programs. The administrative and academic support functions of the University are undertaken by five divisions. The University employs approximately 1100 support staff and 1150 academic permanent and fixed term staff, plus approximately 800 casual academic staff. The University also has interest in two companies - Insearch Limited and the Sydney Education Broadcasting Limited and has several associated research and technology centres. The School of Computing Sciences sits within the Faculty of Maths and Computing Sciences. It has a well established research history and is very active in a range of research areas with a number of research support staff and doctoral students. This research position would support activities in the Information Systems section of the School. This area researches and teaches the informational, human and organisational aspects of computing. The area is well situated in terms of its interest and expertise in the areas of the management of information systems change and the use of qualitative research methods in information systems research. ACCOUNTABILITY RELATIONSHIP The research assistant will report to A/Prof C.B. Jay. MAJOR TASKS: - A major role in constructing compilers for the programming languages FISh2 and GoldFISh, their testing and optimisation. - documentation of their work in a form suitable for external distribution - support for the FISh web-site - participate in project meetings and actively engage with other project members. CONSTRAINTS The incumbent in consultation with the Principal Researcher determines research strategies and priorities. CHALLENGES The incumbent must be able to produce high quality implementations of designs which incorporate cutting edge ideas that are not completely fixed. RELATIONSHIPS The Research Assistant Level 7-8 will liaise on most days with other research team members to ensure the progress of the research, to discuss results obtained, improvements to techniques and future work. The incumbent will be expected to liaise with external users of our prototypes. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES Produces working implementations as required. Contributes to the production of publishable research papers. UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SYDNEY POSITION DESCRIPTION Research Assistant, Grade 2 Incumbent: Date: 18/11/99 Reports to: C.B. Jay Written by: C.B. Jay Faculty: Maths and Computing Sciences School: Computing Sciences Location: City, Building 4, 5th floor Approvals: Position: 1: J Edwards: _____________ Head of School, Computing Sciences 2: G McLelland: _______________ Acting Dean, Faculty of Maths & Computing Sc 3: ____________________ ____________________________ ________________________________________________________ ACCOUNTABILITY OBJECTIVE The research assistant is responsible for supporting A/Prof C.B. Jay and Dr G. Keller in achieving the goals of their ARC large grant (2000-2002) "Shape-based programming: sharpening the tools". DIMENSIONS $ value of grant: $57,000 Period of grant: 1 years No. of staff: 1 NATURE AND SCOPE ACCOUNTABILITY RELATIONSHIP The research assistant will report to A/Prof C.B. Jay. MAJOR TASKS: - Development and execution of benchmark programs for our new programming languages FISh2 and GoldFISh. - documentation of their work in a form suitable for external distribution - support for the FISh web-site - participate in project meetings and actively engage with other project members. CONSTRAINTS The incumbent in consultation with the Principal Researcher determines research strategies and priorities. CHALLENGES The incumbent must be able to master novel programming techniques which have never been used in large programs before. RELATIONSHIPS The Research Assistant Level 5-6 will liaise on most days with other research team members to ensure the progress of the research, to discuss results obtained, improvements to techniques and future work. The incumbent will be expected to liaise with external users of our prototypes. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES Produces working programs, and test results as required. Contributes to the production of publishable research papers. Maintains the FISh web-site.