About the opportunity
The Software Quality research group (Prof. Yannic Noller) at the Faculty of Computer Science focuses on software engineering (SE), testing, and program repair. We aim to have a practical impact by designing principled and fundamental approaches and creating relevant and usable tools. In particular, our research involves developing new repair techniques to aid developers in fixing program bugs, the automated analysis, testing, and repairing of machine learning models, and exploring and designing (hybrid) testing techniques to systematically generate test inputs that expose incorrect program behavior. The position is offered as a fixed-term, full-time appointment (39.83 hours/week = 100%) for 3 years, starting at the earliest possible date.
Salary and benefits
- Salaried position based on the collective agreement of the Länder (TV-L) at pay grade E 13 TV-L (if personal and collective agreement requirements are met)
- Challenging and varied tasks with a high degree of personal responsibility
- Team-orientated cooperation in a committed, international, and appreciative team
- An agile way of working and a modern, well-equipped workplace
- Employment at one of the largest universities in Germany within the University Alliance Ruhr
- Free German and English language courses provided by the University Language Center (ZFA)
Who can apply?
- Completed studies (Master's degree) in the fields of Computer Science
- Very good knowledge of English; competence in at least German or English and the willingness to learn the other
- Strong implementation skills and a desire to create open-source tools
- Ideally, experience in automated software testing and program analysis
- Ideally, already-published research work
- Desire to pursue a doctoral degree, with very good knowledge of automated software testing and/or program repair, preferably proven by a master's thesis in this field
Required documents
- Cover letter (Anschreiben)
- Tabular curriculum vitae (tabellarischer Lebenslauf)
- Certificates and diplomas (Zeugnisse, e.g., employment references, degree certificates, training certificates)
When to apply
- Application deadline: 2026-09-14
How to apply
- Prepare all required application documents including cover letter, CV, and certificates
- Submit the application via the online application portal by 2026-09-14, ensuring to reference number ANR 6060
Additional information
- Reference number: ANR 6060
- Working hours: 39.83 hours/week (100% full-time)
- Place of work: Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
- Teaching load will be calculated according to § 3 of Lehrverpflichtungsverordnung (state of North Rhine-Westphalia)
- The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is an equal opportunity employer, strongly encourages applications from women, and welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities
- Travel, accommodation, and application costs for interviews cannot be reimbursed
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Completed a Master's degree in Computer Science and eager to pursue a doctoral degree.
- Strong implementation skills with a specific interest in creating open-source tools.
- Possess very good knowledge of English alongside competence in German or English coupled with a willingness to learn the other.
- Bring prior experience or a master's thesis in automated software testing, program analysis, or program repair.
What should you think carefully about?
- Involves a fixed-term, full-time commitment of 3 years under a TV-L pay grade.
- Applicants should note that travel, accommodation, and application costs for interviews cannot be reimbursed.
- Requires fulfilling a teaching load calculated according to the local state ordinance.
- Relocation to Bochum, Germany is required as the work mode is on-site.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This three-year position directly supports an aspiring doctoral candidate aiming to combine rigorous academic research in software engineering with practical tool development. It offers a structured environment for publishing research and contributing to open-source automated testing projects within a major European university.
Our take
Computer science graduates specializing in software quality and automated testing who want to pursue a structured PhD in Germany should seriously consider this. Those unable to relocate to Bochum or seeking a permanent role from the start will find it less suitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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