PhD: Automated Testing of Autonomous Satellite

About the SnT

SnT is a leading international research and innovation centre in secure, reliable and trustworthy ICT systems and services. We play an instrumental role in Luxembourg by fueling innovation through research partnerships with industry, boosting R&D investments leading to economic growth, and attracting highly qualified talent.

This industrial PhD position is part of the "Autonomous systems for Land, Air and Space" (ATLAS) IPGB Programme co-funded by the FNR, SnT and a consortium of industrial partners and administrations, including eBus Competence Center, Emile Weber, GomSpace, Gradel, IEE, Nexxtlab, Telindus and Ville de Luxembourg. For more information on the ATLAS IPBG programme, see here: https://edu.lu/wwpy7

We're looking for people driven by excellence, excited about innovation, and looking to make a difference. If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place!

Your Role

We offer an attractive doctoral position in the context of the ATLAS project, funded by the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) and GomSpace Luxembourg. Specifically, you will contribute to one of the space systems track of ATLAS, which concerns the automated assessment of Autonomous Satellite Operation Orchestrators (ASOOs). ASOOs automate tasks that, a few years ago, were performed manually to minimise costs and improve the quality of service. Unfortunately, physical constraints (e.g., orbits), continuous evolution (e.g., to achieve more autonomy), and the distributed nature of ASOOs make their validation and verification (V&V) costly, ineffective, and nearly infeasible. Our research will lead to a toolset capable of exercising the PUS and REST entry points of those systems, automatically setting up simulation environments, and automatically determining the correctness of execution results. To this end, we aim to combine meta-heuristic and fuzzing approaches with natural language processing (e.g., enabled by Large Language Models) to automatically derive system-level testing scenarios that ensure requirements coverage and maximise structural coverage, in addition to deriving expected outputs.

The successful candidate will join the SVV research group, headed by Prof. Domenico Bianculli, and will report to Prof. Fabrizio Pastore (lead for one space systems track of ATLAS). The team focuses on the development and design of reliable, safe, and secure software systems, carrying out both upstream activities, such as requirements quality assurance and architecture analysis, as well as downstream verification & validation activities, primarily software testing and analysis. For further information, you may refer to https://www.uni.lu/snt-en/research-groups/svv

The position holder will be required to perform the following tasks:

• Carrying out research in the predefined areas
• Implementing prototype tools
• Empirically evaluating the proposed solutions and tools
• Spending time at the premises of our industry partner for requirements understanding and in-the-field assessment of the proposed solutions
• Disseminating results through scientific publications
• Providing guidance to master and bachelor students

For further information you may check www.securityandtrust.lu or contact

Your Profile

• The candidate should possess a Master degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Informatics, Software Engineering or a related field
• The ideal candidate should have some knowledge and experience in a number of the following topics:
  • Software testing and analysis
  • Machine Learning
  • Modern Web services, including REST API
  • Natural Language Processing and Understanding, with emphasis on large language models
• The candidate must possess strong programming skills in Java or Python and is willing to learn all the programming languages required for the project
• The candidate should have critical thinking and teamwork skills
• Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are required

Here's what awaits you at SnT

• A stimulating learning environment. Here post-docs and professors outnumber PhD students. That translates into access and close collaborations with some of the brightest ICT researchers, giving you solid guidance
• Exciting infrastructures and unique labs. At SnT's two campuses, our researchers can take a walk on the moon at the LunaLab, build a nanosatellite, or help make autonomous vehicles even better
• The right place for IMPACT. SnT researchers engage in demand-driven projects. Through our Partnership Programme, we work on projects with more than 55 industry partners
• Multiple funding sources for your ideas. The University supports researchers to acquire funding from national, European and private sources
• Competitive salary package. The University offers a 12 month-salary package, over six weeks of paid time off, meal vouchers and health insurance
• Be part of a multicultural family. At SnT we have more than 60 nationalities. Throughout the year, we organise team-building events, networking activities and more
• Boost your career. Students can take advantage of several opportunities for growth and career development, from free language classes to career resources and extracurricular activities

But wait, there's more!

• Complete picture of the perks we offer
• Discover our Partnership Programme

How to apply

Applications should be submitted online and include:

• Full CV, including:
  • For each degree received or currently enrolled in, provide the degree, institution name, institution city and country, and date (or expected date) of graduation. Include the title and short summary of your final (Bachelor / Master) Thesis if you did one
  • List of publications (if any)
  • Name, affiliation and contact details of three referees
• Transcript of all modules and results from university-level courses taken
• Cover letter with motivations and topics of particular interest to the candidate (approx. 1 page)

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

In line with our values, the University of Luxembourg promotes an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to upholding equality and respect for our employees and students.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month (extendable up to 48 months if required)
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Campus Kirchberg
• Employee and student status
• Job Reference: UOL06610

The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 40952 (full time)