Location: Lancaster, UK

Application Deadline: 30/11/2023

Job Description:

We are excited to announce an exceptional opportunity for a highly motivated and talented PhD student to join our research team. This position centers around cutting-edge research in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) within the context of Software Engineering. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in a pioneering research project that aims to revolutionize software development processes.

The primary focus of this research project is to bridge the gap between natural language requirements and formal logic specifications using AI and NLP techniques. Our goal is to empower software developers by enhancing program comprehension through the application of NLP and large language models. The project encompasses a wide range of objectives, including:

1. 1. NLP-Driven Test Case Generation: Develop advanced techniques for generating test cases using NLP-driven approaches, thereby improving software quality and reliability.
   2. Bug Reproduction Methodologies: Harness NLP methodologies to reproduce software bugs efficiently, leading to faster bug resolution and enhanced software stability.
   3. Bug-Code Linking Model: Create innovative models using NLP techniques to link bugs to specific sections of code, streamlining debugging processes.
   4. Transforming Code Snippets: Develop techniques to transform code snippets into formal specification representations, facilitating clearer documentation and code understanding.
   5. App Review Analysis: Extract valuable improvement suggestions from app reviews and convert them into actionable specifications, promoting user-centric software development.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct groundbreaking research to advance the field of AI and NLP in Software Engineering.
• Collaborate closely with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and software engineers.
• Publish research findings in top-tier conferences and journals.
• Develop tools and plugins for IDE integration to facilitate the adoption of research outcomes.
• Contribute to the creation of an annotated bug-code corpus for benchmarking and evaluation purposes.

Qualifications:

• 1st or 2:1 (Hons) degree or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Natural Language Processing, or a related field.
• Strong programming skills in languages such as Python, Java, or C++.
• A solid understanding of software engineering principles.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Enthusiasm for conducting innovative research with real-world impact.
• A strong desire to pursue a PhD and a passion for research in AI and NLP.

Preferred Qualifications (not required but a plus):

• Prior research experience in AI, NLP, or Software Engineering.
• Familiarity with formal logic and semantic representations.
• Experience with machine learning frameworks and libraries (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Publications in relevant conferences or journals.

Benefits:

• Competitive stipend and financial support for travel and research activities.
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and resources.
• Opportunities for collaboration with industry partners.
• Mentorship from experienced faculty members.
• A vibrant and supportive research community.

Application Process:

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit the following application materials:

1. 1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.
   2. Statement of Purpose describing your research interests and why you are interested in this position.
   3. Academic transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable).
   4. Contact information for at least two academic or professional references.

Applications should be sent to [email protected]