Background of the Lowcomote Research Project

Fifteen PhD positions (also called Early Stage Researchers, ESR) are offered within the framework of Lowcomote: Training the Next Generation of Experts in Scalable Low-Code Engineering Platforms, a project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research & innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska‐Curie – ITN - ETN (GA n. 813884). For more information about Innovative Training Networks (ITNs), see this note.

Lowcomote is an international, inter-sectoral, interdisciplinary project aiming at training 15 PhDs, with the potential to become the leaders of tomorrow engineering of low-code development plateforms (LCDPs).

More specifically, the project will: (1) investigate low-code languages and tools for the development of largescale applications in heterogeneous domains, (2) create a repository able to store and enable the retrieval of heterogeneous modelling low-code artefacts (e.g., models, metamodels, model transformations and code generators), and (3) investigate efficient model transformation, particularly over large and complex models.

The PhDs will collaborate within the Lowcomote ITN research program and spend 2 secondments of 3 months at 2 different partners’ premises.

Thesis topics

• ESR 1: Scaling Up Citizen Development with Recommender Chatbots
• ESR 2: Scalable Cloud-Based Heterogeneous Modelling
• ESR 3: Deploying and Scaling Knowledge Models in Data Science
• ESR 4: Urban Area Management in Smart Cities
• ESR 5: Low-code Development of Rich Collaborative Mobile Apps using Active DSLs
• ESR 6: Scalable and Extensible Cloud-based Low-Code Model Repository
• ESR 7: Mining Interaction Processes in Low-Code System Models
• ESR 8: Capability Discovery and Reuse in Low-code System Models
• ESR 9: DevOps Support for Low-Code Engineering Platforms
• ESR 10: Cloud-Based Testing Workbench for Low-Code Engineering
• ESR 11: Intelligent Run-Time Partitioning of Low-Code System Models
• ESR 12: Heterogeneous Low-Code Model Query Optimisation
• ESR 13: Live Model Transformation for Distributed Low-Code Platforms
• ESR 14: Multi-Paradigm Distribution for Model Management Operations
• ESR 15: Cloud-Based Low-Code Model Transformations Composition and Execution

Eligibility Criteria

Degree: Master degree in Computer Science or equivalent providing access to PhD programs.

Language: English proficiency must be attested either through a previous English language diploma, or an internationally recognized proficiency test (at least C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages i.e. IELTS, IBT, TOEFL or Cambridge).

Career: At the start of their contract, candidates must not have performed research for more than four years (full-time equivalent) after their degree. Candidates must not have been awarded a prior doctoral degree.

Mobility: At the time of recruitment, the researcher must not have resided, or carried out his/her activity in the country of the hiring institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment date.

Application: Complete and timely submission exclusively via the Lowcomote application form. Documents submitted must be in English. If supporting documents (e.g. letters of academic references and scan of degree qualification) are not in English, they must be submitted together with a certified translation in English).

Additional requirements: Please note that, further essential or desirable requirements may be detailed in each PhD position (see vacancies published by each beneficiary on its institutional website).

Main Training Activities

The training program of Lowcomote aims at enabling the recruited PhDs to develop a broad range of scientific, technical and transferable skills that will prepare them for fruitful careers in academia and industry, namely thanks to training led by world experts in the field and timely and high quality feedback by all co-supervisors.

In particular, the network will provide training for the three main competences needed for developing future LCEPs:

• Model driven engineering, for domain analysis, language construction and code generation;
• Cloud computing, for an efficient use of the Cloud infrastructure to manage a large number of users and artefacts;
• Machine learning, for building smart assistants for citizen developers.

Other training activities will include communication skills, career development, career plan skills and entrepreneurship training.

Employment Conditions

Full-time Equivalent Position

Duration: 36 months, including 2 secondments of 3 months each at another consortium members’ premises

Remuneration: The remuneration will consist in:

• Living allowance (between gross 3119€ / month and gross 3489€ / month including employer taxes and according to the employer’s country)
• Mobility allowance (gross 600€ / month)
• Family allowance (if the researcher is married, in a civil partnership, or with dependent children maintained by the researcher) (gross 500€ / month)

Please note that, precise amounts are mentionned in each beneficiary’s vacancy.

Research, Training and Networking costs: All relevant expenses linked to the research and training activities (travel, accommodation, etc.) will be covered by the project budget.

How to Apply

Candidates must first apply through the Lowcomote application form. Applications must be sent exclusively in English. For selected candidates, the hiring process will be managed by the partner’s own HR departments.

Candidates will be requested to provide the following information in English:

1. A complete CV with references to past research and training experiences;
2. A motivation letter highlighting the consistency between the candidate ‘s profile and the chosen ESR position for which they are applying;
3. At least 2 references (could be also a reference letter which should then be in English or in certified translation);
4. Scan of the degree qualification;
5. Proof of proficiency in English (either through a previous English language diploma, or an internationally recognized proficiency test - at least C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages i.e. IELTS, IBT, TOEFL or Cambridge).

Candidates possessing the relevant requirements, may opt for applying for one or more positions. If candidates apply for more than one position they can submit a single application through the online form, but they are required to submit one cover letter for each position.

Contact

Enquiries about research content must be sent to the relevant PhD supervisor(s) via email (see contact details in each vacancy on institutional website).