IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON
Department of Computing
Job Description
Job Title:
Research Associate
Job Family/Level:
Research and Education/Level B
Responsible to:
Dr Jeremy Bradley
Key working relationships:
Internal - Supervisor, Academic & Research
staff, PhD student and Hayden external
w/project partners in Newcastle, IBM and
Illinois
Summary of the post:
Post exists as part of EPSRC-funded project “AMPS: Analysis of Massively
Parallel Stochastic Systems”. This post is necessary for the considerable
amount of conceptual and tool development and integration that the project
requires. The aim of the post is to produce independent and original research
in performance research with particular focus on fluid solution techniques and
application to massive software systems.
Key Responsibilities:

Along with Investigators, drive development of core fluid-modelling
formalism and higher-level abstractions, to achieve key goals of
project.

Publish research papers in key conferences and journals to describe
novel fluid solution algorithms and application to massively parallel
software architectures, to achieve dissemination goals of project.

Collaborate with Thomas/van Moorsel at Newcastle and researchers at
IBM Hursley to help identify key performance measures, models,
analysis and help integrate/adapt fluid techniques for use in industrial
software system.

Prepare and give presentations at industrial seminars, project
meetings, workshops and conferences.

Play a full and active part in AESOP group – including helping other
PhD and Researchers to organise meetings as well as giving regular
presentations themselves.

To help organise workshops, conferences and project meetings as
required by the investigators to aid the success of the project.

To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings.

To collaborate with and provide assistance and guidance to
staff/students.

To attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary.

To develop contacts and research collaborations within the
Department and wider academic community in order to further the
project aims.

To co-supervise postgraduates involved in the project as directed or
appropriate.

Meeting regularly with the Principal Investigator to report progress and
jointly decide on profitable avenues for research; interacting daily with
other members of the research team, particularly providing guidance to
research students.

To comply with relevant College policies, including Financial
Regulations, Equal Opportunities Policy, Promoting Race Equality
Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Information Systems Security Policy
and Intellectual Property Rights and Register of Interests Policies.
All research staff may be expected to undertake certain teaching duties
without additional payment, subject to any limitations prescribed by the terms
of the grant or contract under which they are employed.
Job descriptions cannot be exhaustive and the post-holder may be
required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the
above key responsibilities.
Imperial College is committed to equality of opportunity, equal treatment, and
to eliminating discrimination. All employees are expected to adhere to the
principles set out in the Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy, Promoting
Race Equality Policy and Disability Policy and all other relevant
guidance/practice frameworks.
Person Specification
Applicants are required to demonstrate that they possess the following
attributes:
Experience:

Experience in/with performance algorithms, Markov chain solution
techniques and stochastic process modelling formalisms.

Experience in performance modelling toolsets and fluid solution
techniques would be an advantage.

Experience with parallel implementation of algorithms using eg MPI
would be useful.

Experience in one of large model simulation or numerical analysis
essential.

Proven track record of independent research in an area related to
stochastic performance analysis.
Competencies, Skills and Abilities:

Ability to collaborate on large software projects and document
technical work with LaTeX.

Ability to programme expertly in at least one of C/C++, Java, Matlab,
Mathematica or Haskell.

Ability to create and analyse large Markov and/or semi-Markov models
and/or GSMP models using a stochastic process model, eg SAN, SPA,
SPN, GSPN.

Ability to relate to other researchers, and students in an academic
context.

Ability to interact successfully with others to learn and teach new skills.

Ability to work within a collaborative team. This is a large project which
will require good collaboration skills between the RA, the investigators,
PhD students and partners in order to succeed.

Ability to present at conferences and seminars with authority and
coherence. Excellent communication skills are required in order to
present research to the research group, project partners, workshops
and conferences through both written papers and presentations.

Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write technical
reports and research papers clearly and succinctly for publication.

Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision.

Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines.
Education and Qualifications:
A PhD (or equivalent) in an area pertinent to the research subject i.e. in
Performance modelling, from Computing or Mathematics departments.