PhD candidate in the area of Computer Science | University of Amsterdam Informatics Institute

The Informatics Institute (IvI) is one of the eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science with a focus on complex information systems divided in two broad themes: Computational Systems and Intelligent Systems. The institute has a prominent international standing and is active in a dynamic scientific area, with a strong innovative character and an extensive portfolio of externally funded projects. The IvI is one of the eight research institutes of the Faculty of Science. The IvI covers a wide range of subjects, in both fundamental and applied research. The System and Network Engineering (SNE) group researches cross-domain interaction between Grid resource providers, optical and hybrid networking, resource descriptions using semantic web and programmable networks for the Future Internet. In collaboration with SURFnet and SURFsara, UvA has capabilities to access high-speed optical test bed installations in the optical photonic backbone of SURFnet in the Netherlands and internationally in the Global Lambda Integrated Facility (GLIF).

Project description

In this project, we aim to investigate solutions to efficiently use modern HPC architectures, massively-parallel and heterogeneous, for large-scale graph processing. The goal is not only to enable the efficient use of current architectures, but to enable graph processing algorithms that can use future generations of HPC hardware as well. Thus, we will focus on a model-based solution, where both the workload and the hardware will be modeled, and further matched depending on the user demands.

We expect this project to lead to novel modelling methodologies, novel algorithms, and excellent performance results in the domain of large scale graph processing. If successful, our solutions will be of interest for owners of graph data collections (Google, Twitter, Facebook, graph analytics start-up companies), software and hardware vendors (IBM, NVIDIA, AMD, ARM), and infrastructure-renting companies (e.g., cloud computing providers).

Requirements

We encourage applications from ambitious, motivated, self-driven, independent candidates, with excellent communication skills. Fluent communication in English - reading, writing, listening, and speaking - is mandatory.

An MSc in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent specialization is mandatory.

Experience with parallel programming, accelerators programming (e.g., Cell/B.E., GPUs), as well as deep knowledge in graph processing and/or network systems is a plus.

Appointment

The appointment which starts on 1 January 2014 will be on a temporary basis for a period of four years (initial appointment will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation, it can be extended for a total duration of four years) and should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). An educational plan will be drafted that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. The PhD student is also expected to assist in teaching of undergraduates.

Based a full-time appointment (38 hours per week), the gross monthly salary will range from €2,083 in the first year to €2,664 in the last year. The holiday allowance is 8% of the gross income and 8.3% end of the year bonus. The Collective Employment Agreement (CAO) of the Dutch Universities is applicable.

The research will be conducted in the Systems and Networking Engineering group in the Informatics Institute at the University of Amsterdam.

The group has extensive experience in pushing the envelope in building large systems and networks, and aims to expand its expertise towards high performance systems.

Applications will be accepted until 1 October 2013.