Master's Thesis in Software Development

Anton Paar GmbH | Graz

Master’s Thesis Title: Digital twins of scientific instruments for automated software testing

Responsibilities:

In modern laboratory equipment, software is the most regularly used interface between user and instrument. Thus, for manufacturers of such instruments, such as Anton Paar, the development of intuitive and stable software is a key component to achieve customer satisfaction. Developing stable software requires intensive testing, which is only feasible for large and complex applications if it is automated. Since instrument control software always includes hardware-related parts, digital twins of the laboratory instruments are required for test automation. These digital twins represent the behavior of the instrument, allowing fully automated tests without the manual steps that would be required when using the real instruments.

• Analyze existing interfaces and simulators in the control software of a scientific instrument for X-ray analysis.
• Develop the design concept for a digital twin of the instrument.
• Implement the design concept to be usable in automated software tests, preferably in C#.
• Demonstrate the functionality of the digital twin in an exemplary test case.

Goals:

The goal of this thesis is to create a digital twin of a scientific instrument in the field of X-ray analysis. The first part includes the analysis of the existing interface between the control software and the instrument. Furthermore, the relevant signals of the instrument for automated software tests are evaluated with the help of software and test engineers. This step leads to a clear view on the required functionality of the digital twin.

In the second step, a design concept for the digital twin is developed. The possible re-use of existing simulators for parts of the instrument is checked. Finally, the concept is implemented and its functionality is demonstrated in exemplary test applications. To achieve good compatibility between the digital twin and the control software, the programming language C# is intended to be used for the implementation.

For more information about the X-ray analysis instruments, see https://www.anton-paar.com/corp-en/x-ray-analysis

Your profile:

• Ongoing Master’s studies in a related technical or natural science field.

What we offer:

• A great chance to work with Anton Paar GmbH and get insights into state-of-the-art development of productive code in industry during your master’s.
• Possibility to work for Anton Paar GmbH in the future.

The employment is based on a work contract. Successfully completing the master’s thesis will be rewarded with a one-time fee of €3.000.

Anton Paar does not accept applications via personnel service providers or recruitment agencies and asks all interested parties to submit their documents directly via the career site. Applications via personnel service providers will not be processed. As a matter of principle, the company also does not hire temporary workers, but builds on long-term, direct employment relationships.

Entry:

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