PhD Position in Cyber Security

At the Cybersecurity (CYS) group at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS), we invite applications for a full-time PhD position in Internet Measurement and Systems for Cybersecurity.

Job description

The Cybersecurity (CYS) group at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) invites applications for full-time doctoral candidates in Internet Measurement and Systems for Cybersecurity. Successful candidates will follow a data-driven approach by collecting and analyzing massive network and web data to improve security and privacy on the Internet and of networked systems. Examples include fighting cyber threats such as ransomware, phishing, denial of service attacks, and scanning for system vulnerabilities; identifying and mitigating network and Web vulnerabilities such as unauthorized access and user tracking; and assessing the adoption of user data protection regulations such as GDPR in the wild. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work closely with world-class researchers at TU Delft and our research collaborators in Europe and the US.

Our group conducts research in a range of cybersecurity topics, including secure data analytics, applied cryptography, privacy, cloud security, system security, and network security. We design, develop, and evaluate interdisciplinary solutions that combine artificial intelligence, systems, and theory. Examples include the development of deep learning methods that are immune to common side-channel defences, machine learning algorithms that can operate on encrypted data in the cloud, detection and mitigation of large scale distributed denial of service attacks, and analysis of the latest security threats. We aim to publish our results at top conferences and journals, transfer our scientific know-how and technologies to students and our public and private partners in the field of cybersecurity, and have impact in society and the research community.

Job requirements

We are looking for researchers with:

• MSc (or equivalent) degree in Computer Science and Engineering or a closely related field by the time of the appointment.
• Experience in at least one of the following areas: Internet Measurement, Systems and Software Security, Web Security and Privacy.
• A strong background in collecting and analyzing large-scale network, Internet, or Web datasets.
• Knowledge of Internet/Web protocols such as BGP, DNS, NTP, DHCP, SNMP, HTTPS, TLS, MQTP.
• Data analytics skills with python and SQLite, and knowledge or willingness to work with data-intensive platforms such as Spark or ClickHouse.
• Knowledge of network monitoring technologies like Wireshark, NetFlow, SFlow, IPFIX.
• Experience with active port scanning, honeypot installation and operation, and systems programming is a plus.
• Excellent oral and written skills in English.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society.

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and provide an innovative environment with excellent labs and facilities and strong international positioning.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract includes an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest.