Graduating at Axini

Axini is an Amsterdam-based technology spin-off of the University of Twente. We develop software engineering tools that apply academic formal methods in practice. Our focus is on model based testing (MBT) and model based software engineering (MBSE). Our platform helps large companies such as ProRail, Achmea and Thermo Fisher Scientific deliver high quality software on time.

We have both a lot of theoretical knowledge on formal techniques and hands on experience with software testing in the real world. This mix results in interesting research topics for graduation projects. Get more theoretical by diving into formal methods and model checking or tackle the testing or modeling challenges of the real world.

Axini has hosted many graduation projects over the past 15 years. We have a lot of experience that allows us to help students make the most of their research. See our track record below.

We have good connections with universities (University of Amsterdam, VU Amsterdam, University of Twente, Eindhoven University of Technology) and research institutions (TNO, CWI). Additionally, we participate in various European research projects including TESTOMAT, Allegio and Reflexion. Many of us have a background in academia, be it as master student, PhD or professor. We know what research is like and can get you in contact with the people you need to make your project a success.

During your project you will experience what life is like in a product software company focused on software engineering and continuous improvement. We have a friendly, informal environment and flexible hours. We are in our office in Amsterdam a few days a week and work from home on the others.

We are looking for students with a pragmatic attitude that like to work on boundary between research and practice.

We offer students the following:

Good supervision
We have experienced supervisors that will make time to guide your research. We can inspire you and challenge your ideas with our in-depth domain knowledge.
Research topics
We offer real research topics and challenging puzzles for real world problems. You won’t be building a website for us.
Connections in academia
We have good connections with universities and potential academic supervisors.
Track record
We have a good track record of graduation projects. See below for a list of your predecessors.
Internship compensation
All projects are accompanied with a monthly internship compensation.

Possible research topics

We offer a wide range of research topics, both theoretical and more practical oriented.

Model checking of symbolic transition systems
Automatically verify properties of symbolic transition system models using linear time logic and formal methods. Read more
Requirements coverage
Formalize natural language requirements to ensure they are included in the model and generated test cases. Read more
Automatic test case analysis for bug localization
Automatically find patterns in failed test cases to aid in test analysis and bug localization. Read more
Test case generation and selection strategies
Improve on our test case generation algorithms to handle more difficult cases or take new coverage metrics into account. Read more
Visualizing formal models
Develop techniques to visualize large and complex models or advanced concepts such as parallelism and non-determinism intuitively. Read more
Visual modeling
Enable both textual and visual modeling using some intermediate representation to keep the two in sync. Read more
Model learning
Automatically derive a model from the system under test using log files or other observed behavior. Read more
Code generation from formal models
Generate (skeleton) application code using formal models of the desired behavior. Read more
Model based testing of GUI applications
Extend the model based testing theory with the concepts needed to tests systems with a GUI, such as web, desktop and mobile applications. Read more
Model based security testing
Research how concepts of security testing and model based testing could complement each other. Read more
Model based testing of Internet of Things protocols
Evaluate the applicability of model based testing on the Internet of Things communication protocols such as Zigbee. Read more
Model based testing of 3D games
Apply and evaluate model based testing on 3D games and simulations. Read more
The FormaSig project for saftey critical systems at ProRail
Research the application of formal methods on saftey critical systems in the railway domain. Read more
Automated model generation
Research the possibility of transforming other models or source code into formal AML models. Read more
Passive testing/monitoring
Use static data sources such as log-files for passive model based testing. Read more
Automated adapter generation
Generate an adapter automatically based on the system under test. Read more
Design and implement a modeling language for data and interaction
Develop a new modeling language that can address the requirements of reactive and data-oriented systems. Read more
Random sampling for data generation using SMT solvers
Investigate different techniques of solving constraints using SMT solvers and apply that to our context of testing. Read more
Debugger
Investigate and implement advanced debugging features. Read more
Input generation based on the model
Improve test case generation in model based testing by integrating symbolic execution with the Z3 theorem prover. Read more

If you have a different topic in mind that you think might fit us, we would be very pleased to hear it.

Contact

Would you like to know more or discuss your ideas? Get in touch with us at students@axini.com.

Track record

Read the work of your predecessors to get inspired.

2024 Marwa Mohalaia
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Towards Automating Usability Evaluation of Web-based GUI Applications Using Model-based Testing
2024 Yannick van der Vleuten
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Model-Based Testing of Client-Side Web Applications in Isolation
2022 Marko Milardić
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Model-based Testing of Interoperability in Internet of Things Protocols
2022 Sky Sarah van Grieken
Eindhoven University of Technology | Master Computer Science & Engineering
Encoding hashes in an SMT-solver using Z3
2022 Lucas Steehouwer
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Finding Deadlocks in Open Input-Output Symbolic Transition Systems by Model-Transformation to Promela
2021 Xavier van Dommelen
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Model-Based Testing of Internet of Things Protocols
2021 Wouter Bohlken
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Model-Based Fuzzing Using Symbolic Transition Systems
2020 Florine de Geus
University of Amsterdam | Bachelor Computer Science
On the Use of SMT Solvers in Model-Based Testing
2019 Sjoerd van der Heijden
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Trace Collection and Data Coverage for Model Based Testing
2018 Aswathy George
University of Amsterdam | Master Information Studies
Process Mining in Model Based Testing
2018 Dennis van der Werf
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Visualizing Symbolic Transition Systems
2018 Martijn Willemsen
University of Twente | Master Computer Science
Improving Diagnosis by Grouping Test Cases to Reduce Complexity
2017 Peter Verkade
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Model-Based Unit Testing using Decision Tables
2016 Ardavan Ghaffari
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Trace Coverage Strategy for Symbolic Transition Systems
2015 Kai Bakker
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Reachable States for Symbolic Transition Systems
2015 Bas Meesters
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
The Visualization of Symbolic Transition Systems
2014 Johanneke Lamberink
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Using Decision Tables in Model-Based Testing
2014 Kevin de Berk
VU Amsterdam | Master Computer Science
Model checking test models
2013 Carsten Ruetz
Radboud University Nijmegen | Master Computing Science
Model Checking of Symbolic Transition Systems with SMT Solvers
2013 Vincent de Bruijn
University of Twente | Master Computer Science
Model-Based Testing with Graph Grammars
2011 Lennart Tange
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Test-Based Modelling – Learning a Model From a System’s Implementation
2010 Jasper Hendriks
University of Amsterdam | Master Software Engineering
Risk Reducing Test Case Generation for Model-based Testing