PhD Position in Operational and Categorical Approaches to Parametricity Department of Computer and Information Sciences University of Strathclyde, Scotland Applications are invited for one PhD position within the newly-formed Mathematically Structured Programming group at the University of Strathclyde. The group comprises Prof. Neil Ghani, Dr. Patricia Johann, and Dr. Conor McBride. The funded PhD project centers around operational and categorical approaches to relational parametricity, which serves as the basis for deriving both structured tools for programming with, and effective techniques for reasoning about, functional programs, solely from their (polymorphic) types. The project aims to develop the theoretical foundations of parametricity for languages supporting advanced datatypes --- such as nested types, GADTs, and their mixed-variance versions --- as well as to apply these foundations to program transformations and other applications. The project is under the direction of Patricia Johann. The successful applicant will have an MSc in Mathematics or Computing Science or a related subject with a strong Mathematics or Computing Science component. Ideally, they will also have a strong, documented interest in doing research. Strong mathematical background and problem-solving skills are essential; good programming skills are a plus. Prior knowledge in the areas of operational semantics, category theory, and/or parametricity is an advantage, but is not required. The PhD position is for 3 years; the start date is negotiable. The position is a fully-funded post for a home (i.e., UK) student, and includes both coverage of fees and an EPSRC-level stipend for each of the three years. For European students, the post covers only fees (i.e., no stipend is available). More information about the department is available at http://www.strath.ac.uk/cis The University of Strathclyde (http://www.strath.ac.uk) is located in the heart of Glasgow, which Lonely Planet Travel Guides hail as "one of Britain's largest, liveliest and most interesting cities" (see http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/scotland/glasgow/). Southern Scotland provides a particularly stimulating environment for researchers in theoretical computer science, with active groups in this area at Heriot-Watt University, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, the University of St. Andrews, and the University of Strathclyde. Requests for further information and other informal enquiries can be sent to: Patricia Johann Patricia.Johann at cis.strath.ac.uk (The group is currently in the process of moving to the University of Strathclyde, so the above is the best contact address for the duration of the summer. Students interested in joining the group to work on other topics should contact Prof. Ghani at Neil.Ghani at cis.strath.ac.uk, since further positions are expected soon. Those interested in the position are asked to send e-mail to the address given above. Full Details of the application process are available upon request, but an application will include: 1. A cover letter stating the applicant's specific interest in the project. 2. A full curriculum vitae, including an abstract of the applicant's graduate thesis and the name of their supervisor. 3. Letters of recommendation or references from at least two scientific staff members. (Letters of recommendation should either be included along with the application, or should arrive separately promptly.) 4. A completed application for postgraduate study at the University of Strathclyde. Applications, forms for letters of recommendation, and instructions are available at http://www.strath.ac.uk/prospectus/postgraduateapplications/ Applications will be considered until the position is filled, but those received on or before 15 August 2008 will have priority.