Research Fellow in AI-Assisted Formal Verification

Are you interested in pushing the boundaries of formal verification, cybersecurity and AI? We are seeking an ambitious researcher to join a major new project funded by the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), working at the intersection of Isabelle/HOL, the seL4 verified microkernel, information-flow security, and AI-assisted theorem proving. The project aims to develop a formally-verified reference monitor on top of seL4 for the secure containment of AI agents.

We will develop new mechanisms for dynamically controlling agents' capabilities and information flows, together with machine-checked security guarantees. In parallel, we will investigate how modern AI techniques can accelerate large-scale formal verification, developing AI proof agents that can maintain, extend and refactor the seL4 proof base in Isabelle/HOL. You will join a highly-collaborative international team spanning the Universities of Sheffield, Surrey and Melbourne, bringing together expertise in Isabelle/HOL, seL4, information-flow security, program logics and neurosymbolic AI.

The project is exceptionally well-resourced, including substantial funding for access to state-of-the-art AI models and computing infrastructure. You should have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in computer science or a closely related discipline, together with strong research expertise in at least one of the areas above and excellent programming and/or formalisation skills. Applications from exceptional candidates who are close to completing a PhD will also be considered.

The post is full-time and fixed-term until November 2027, starting as soon as possible. We are committed to exploring flexible working opportunities which benefit the individual and University.