Research projects
Find a postgraduate research project in your area of interest by exploring the research projects that we offer in the Department of Computer Science.
We have a broad range of research projects for which we are seeking doctoral students. Browse the list of projects on this page or follow the links below to find information on doctoral training opportunities, or applying for a postgraduate research programme.
Alternatively, if you would like to propose your own project then please include a research project proposal and the name of a possible supervisor with your application.
Available projects
Formal Methods: Mechanically Checking the Semantics of Hybrid Event-B
Primary supervisor
Contact admissions office
Other projects with the same supervisor
- Formal Semantics of the Perfect Language
- Formal Methods: Hybrid Event-B and Rodin
- Blockchain-based Local Energy Markets
- Application Level Verification of Solidity Smart Contracts
Funding
- Competition Funded Project (Students Worldwide)
This research project is one of a number of projects at this institution. It is in competition for funding with one or more of these projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be awarded the funding. Applications for this project are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full department and project details for further information.
Project description
These days, the world is increasingly being populated with systems that interact directly with the physical world. Of course such systems have existed for a long time in niche safety-critical areas, eg. avionics, train control, nuclear plant shutdown, etc. Now the physical world is described using continuous mathematics, while the systems in contact with it are digital, being described using discrete mathematics. These two spheres don't mix terribly well, and the interface has typically been handled by ad hoc means. The hybrid and cyberphysical systems that are increasingly seen today are hard to analyse, and one way of approaching their design is top-down, where their properties are controlled from the outset and built up incrementally. The Event-B formalism is a discrete top-down formal development methodology which has become popular in the discrete domain, and Hybrid Event-B has been designed to extend it into the continuous domain. The aim of this project is to build a model of the semantics of Hybrid Event-B in a meta theorem prover like Isabelle/HoL or CoQ, and to demonstrate its soundness and the soundness of the Hybrid Event-B Proof Obligations.
Person specification
For information
- Candidates must hold a minimum of an upper Second Class UK Honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant science or engineering discipline.
- Candidates must meet the School's minimum English Language requirement.
- Candidates will be expected to comply with the University's policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Essential
Applicants will be required to evidence the following skills and qualifications.
- This project requires mathematical engagement and ability substantially greater than for a typical Computer Science PhD. Give evidence for appropriate competence, as relevant to the project description.
- You must be capable of performing at a very high level.
- You must have a self-driven interest in uncovering and solving unknown problems and be able to work hard and creatively without constant supervision.
Desirable
Applicants will be required to evidence the following skills and qualifications.
- You will have good time management.
- You will possess determination (which is often more important than qualifications) although you'll need a good amount of both.
General
Applicants will be required to address the following.
- Comment on your transcript/predicted degree marks, outlining both strong and weak points.
- Discuss your final year Undergraduate project work - and if appropriate your MSc project work.
- How well does your previous study prepare you for undertaking Postgraduate Research?
- Why do you believe you are suitable for doing Postgraduate Research?