Job Description

Job Title:

Research Associate in Formal Modelling and Verification

Posting Start Date:

30/09/2025

Job Id:

1661

School/Department:

Computer Science

Work Arrangement:

Full Time (Hybrid)

Contract Type:

Fixed-term

Salary per annum ():

38,784 - 47,389

Closing Date:

02/11/2025
The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.



We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more.

Overview

A research associate position is available within an exciting project aiming to conduct research into the safety and security of advanced hardware architectures. The project is called "Co-Pilots for Isabelle: Learning Logical Structure for a Better Proving Experience". The project is a close collaboration between Sheffield, University of Copenhagen and King's, College London. The position is for one year, with the possibility of extension for another year. We would like the successful candidate to start as soon as possible, but a later start is possible for an excellent candidate.


The research topics include:


Designing next-generation formal reasoning mechanisms by combining AI with more traditional "structural" methods. Implementing new AI features within a proof assistant, preferably in Isabelle and evaluating them on the benchmarks, when applicable.


We welcome candidates with a background in theorem proving, and ideally also in AI (broadly construed). We are seeking a highly-motivated researcher willing to cooperate with the project investigators in pursuing groundbreaking verification work and to publish it in top conferences and journals.

Main duties and responsibilities

Perform research in the project's area of interest: designing and developing proof assistant technology with AI support. Create and adapt any necessary software to do the above. Publish in high-quality outlets (high-profile and reputable conferences and journals), prepare detailed research reports where appropriate (e.g. as formal project deliverables), and communicate our results to non-academic or non-verification specialist audiences as required, e.g. to project-wide workshops. Plan work to meet project deliverables and be appropriately prepared for supervision and project meetings. Carry out administrative roles as required, eg to coordinate meetings across various sites. Participate in the general collaborative working of the cybersecurity, computing foundations and natural language processing groups, eg to present to the groups, participate in its seminar meetings, engage in training events, and to demonstrate research to visitors etc. As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible. Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

A PhD degree (or close to completion) in a scientific or engineering discipline (preferably Computer Science). Outstanding candidates who do not have a PhD but wish to pursue one on the topic of this project will also be considered.


Essential


Application


Knowledge and experience in software developments or formal methods - ideally in functional programming, formal specifications, theorem proving, or AI tools.


Essential


Application/Interview


Familiarity with a proof assistant, ideally Isabelle/HOL.


Essential


Application/Interview


A track record of producing internationally-recognized, high-quality research.


Essential


Application/Interview


Ability to develop and adapt software appropriately to support research.


Essential


Application/Interview


Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report writing skills. Ability to write up work to a standard consistent with publication in high quality journals and conferences.


Essential


Application/Interview


Ability to work effectively in a team and engage in effective collaborative research.


Essential


Application/Interview


Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving.


Essential


Application/Interview


Ability to assess and organise resources, and plan and progress through work activities.


Essential


Application/Interview

Further Information

Grade

Grade 7

Salary

38,784 - 47,389, with potential to progress to 51,753 through sustained exceptional contribution

Work arrangement

Full-time

Duration

12 months, with the opportunity to extend for a further 12 months

Line manager

Senior Lecturer in Computing Foundations

Direct reports

None

Our website

sheffield.ac.uk/cs



For informal enquiries about this job contact Dr Andrei Popescu, project lead, at

A.Popescu@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the week commencing 17th November 2025. This will consist of an online interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 10th November 2025. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact COM-ResearchRecruitment@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision ().

What we offer

A minimum of 41days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more. Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles. Generous pension scheme. A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel. A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women's and Parent's networks). Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role. A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways. A range of generous family-friendly policies + paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
+ support for those going through the menopause
+ paid time off and support for fertility treatment
+ and more





We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.



We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.