Cooperation Project AIM

Using adaptive information and collaboration architectures, the AIM project explores the abilities of information exchange and cooperation among humans, applications (e.g. software agents) and tools in complex IT Ecosystems. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the independent evolution of subsystems and to develope control mechanisms to enable cooperation of subsystems in predefined borders. The interaction of subsystems, combined with their individual behaviour, determines the behaviour of the overall system. The AIM project will concentrate on different aspects of adaptive interaction and communication.

Job Advertisement

There are six positions for PhD students in AIM. AIM will explore the usage of theoretical models of mathematical modelling of IT systems and flows. On the basis of these models, simulation models, simulated and small real prototypes will be developed and evaluated. AIM focuses on different questions regarding interaction mechansims of systems which will be regarded on subsystem level, overall system level and on the level of regulation and control. These questions are:

• How can subsystems be designed to enable both autonomous behaviour and interaction with other subsystems?
• Which communication and cooperation infrastructure elements have to be provided to allow for a purposeful interrelation?
• How can designated global behaviour be advanced and unrequested behaviour be circumvented?
• Which changes are made in the design process of self-organized systems in contrast to traditional systems?

To cope with these questions, the project participants will cover aspects like

• distributed learning of cooperation and coodination strategies
• virtualization of evolving information architectures
• adaptive system structures for autonomous transport services
• extraction, abstraction and visualization of (sensor) data
• model-based analysis and design of self-organized systems
• verification and compability of subsystems

Requirements

Required education/skills: excellent MA degree, Diploma or equivalent in computer science or a related engineering discipline is required. Experience in Software Engineering and Software Architecture is necessary. Good English skills in speech and writing are expected.

Application

Deadline for applications: Feb. 3^rd, 2009

Please send (in either German or English):

• A cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications
• A CV
• A certified copy of your last transcript or graduation diploma
• A letter of reference, preferably by your thesis supervisor to comment on your academic achievements and potential.

Interviews will be held at the Kick-Off Meeting in Goslar on February 23^rd and 24^th, 2009. With any questions related to AIM, please contact Prof. Christian Müller-Schloer.

Contact

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Müller-Schloer,
Leibniz Universität Hannover,
Institut für Systems Engineering - Fachgebiet System- und Rechnerarchitektur,
Appelstr. 4,
30167 Hannover,
Telefon: +49 511 762-19731,
Telefax: +49 511 762-19733,
E-Mail: cms@sra.uni-hannover.de