[ecoop-info] PhD Studentship (Open University) – Re-thinking Objects

[Simon Holland]

PhD Studentship (Open University) – Re-thinking Objects
 
The Department of Computing of the Open University, part of the Centre for Research in Computing (CRC), is currently seeking outstanding graduates to join the PhD and the MPhil programmes in October 2012. The Department and Faculty offer several fully funded, full-time, 3-year PhD studentships to start 1 October 2012. We welcome applications for the following project. Proposals in other areas are very welcome. Applications should be submitted to the Open University’s Research School by March 1st if a PhD studentship is sought.
 
Re-thinking Objects
Finding practical scaleable frameworks for Programming and Software Design is a challenging task. Many problems remain, both conceptual and practical. Trigve Reenskaug has contributed deep insights into software design (MVC, OORAM and DCI) and Randy Smith and David Ungar have made equally fundamental contributions to the organisation of objects (Self and Us). Drawing aspects from both of these traditions, and exploiting profound but hitherto overlooked insights into the nature of software composition from the late Henrik Gedenryd, we are designing and implementing a new basis for organising objects for programming and design that subsumes aspects, roles, architectures, patterns and perspectives. Great simplicity for programmers sometimes requires exacting design effort behind the scenes.  There are many crucial design decisions to be made which will have far reaching implications. We are looking for PhD student to be at the centre of the work to design and implement the language and its environment and to evaluate both language and the associated design approach. The successful candidate will be an excellent programmer and an articulate design thinker. Familiarity with dynamic languages with closures will be an advantage. Experience of logic or constraint programming helpful.
 
Please contact Dr Simon Holland (s.holland  @ open.ac.uk) or Dr Michel M.A.Wermelinger  @ open.ac.uk) for an informal discussion and for advice on how to make the best possible application.
 
Applications should comprise an application form, a CV and a PhD proposal. Application forms and general advice on PhD proposals can be found at:
http://www3.open.ac.uk/study/research-degrees/explained/how_to_apply/mphil_and_phd_applications.htm
and at http://www.computing.open.ac.uk/research-degrees
 
Closing date: March 1st 2012

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