Formal Semantics of the Perfect Language

About the Project

Perfect Developer, from Escher Technologies, is a language system that combines specification constructs, programming constructs, code generation and verification. When a source file is committed, not only is it analysed for soundness and completeness for code generation purposes, but also a collection of verification conditions are generated that can subsequently be offered to the verification system to establish correctness with respect to the invariants and assertions contained in the source. The verification conditions are generated with respect to traditionally accepted notions of the correctness of programming and specification constructs, rather than being derived from a formal semantics. The aim of this project is to investigate the formal semantics of the Perfect language, and to reconcile verification conditions generated thereby with those generated by the Perfect Developer system.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Funding

This is a 3.5-year PhD. Excellent candidates will be nominated for competence-based funding.

Self-funded students are welcome to apply.

The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed once the position has been filled.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.