PhD on Time-Constrained Microservice Execution

Introduction

Are you fascinated by the field of Software Defined Vehicle and are eager to contribute to distributed system’s performance and scalability?

Job Description

The Interconnected Resource-aware Intelligent Systems (IRIS) cluster at the Eindhoven University of Technology has a Ph.D. position on developing mechanisms to meet the quality-of-service requirements of microservice-based applications. The position is part of the Chips JU-funded Shift2SDV project and focuses on enabling predictable and efficient execution of microservice-based applications with quality-of-service (QoS) guarantees.

The successful candidate will explore how to ensure predictable and timely execution of microservices in distributed systems. This includes designing latency-aware orchestration and resource scheduling strategies that can meet deadlines or service-level objectives (SLOs), while optimizing overall system efficiency. The research aims to contribute to the next generation of real-time, QoS-aware service platforms for Software Defined Vehicle (SDVs). To ensure the research has practical impact, it will be conducted using modern containerized platforms, including Docker- or Kubernetes-based environments for simulation and experimentation. Depending on the candidate’s background, the project may involve developing a lightweight observability tool for microservices or integrating existing solutions like Prometheus and Grafana for monitoring.

The successful candidate for the PhD position is expected to:

• perform scientific research in the field of Software Defined Vehicle and microservice execution in distributed environments
• publish results at high-quality venues
• collaborate with other group and faculty members
• collaborate with selected academic and industrial partners
• attend project meetings and contribute to deliverables and project outcome
• assist with educational tasks (e.g. assist courses, co-supervise Master students)

Job Requirements

• You have a master’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• You hold a solid academic background in distributed systems and computer networking. Ideally, you have experience with microservice orchestration.
• You have strong programming skills and experience (C, C++, Go, Python, Rust). Experience with container orchestration tools/frameworks, such as Kubernetes or Docker is a plus.
• You have good communication skills and are eager to work as part of a research team.
• You are creative and ambitious, hard-working and persistent.
• You are fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level), (knowledge of Dutch is not required).

Conditions of Employment

• A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you: 
• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment. 
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 2,901 max. € 3,707).  
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%. 
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process. 
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.  
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates. 

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager dr. Habib Mostafaei, h.mostafaei@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services M&CS, HRServices.MCS@tue.nl

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter describing your motivation and qualifications for the position (generic letters will not be considered)
• Detailed CV incl. publication list
• MSc and BSc transcripts
• 2 recent recommendation letters or contact info of two references

Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.