Job Description
At the Cybersecurity Research Centre we have a unique opening for a Postdoc researcher to work on topics in security and privacy engineering but also to act as the group’s liaison with institutions of the European Union and civil society, working to strengthen our relationships and work on policy and advocacy around technical and social, and environmental aspects of security, privacy, and digital rights. If you are interested in conducting strongly positioned research in an enthusiastic and interdisciplinary team in the heart of Europe, and develop relevant expertise in science communication, advocacy and policy work, event organisation, and grant acquisition, then we want to hear from you!
This position is initially funded for two years. Application deadline is 2023-08-26 AoE.
Department and Research Group
Located in the heart of Europe, in a dynamic area, the Brussels School of Engineering offers a multicultural, friendly and green working environment. In partnership with the Bioengineering Schools, it offers no less than three bachelor, 11 master, advanced master and two doctoral programmes. Each year, more than 200 civil engineers and bioengineers are graduating and able of playing an active, responsible and critical role as citizens in a changing world. Involved at the local, regional and international levels, the School actively contributes to the progress and well-being of society through applied and fundamental research at the highest level.
The BEAMS-EE department (Bio, Electro and Mechanical Systems – Embedded Electronics) is specialised in microprocessor architectures, RF localisation and sensing technologies, and ASIC/FPGA low-level software design. The Cybersecurity Research Centre is a federation of 4 well-established research groups in the domains of network security, embedded systems security, quantum cryptography, and quantum transmission. Each group has strong international experience and collaborations with the industry.
The courses that are taught by the department are mainly in the field of analog electronics, digital electronics, microcontroller systems and/or FPGA systems, and regarding security and privacy aspects of these systems. Bachelor courses are taught in French, Master courses are taught in English.
Your Position and Research
This position is unique in the sense that you will spend about half of your time on research in security and privacy, and the other half in outreach and advocacy work. On the research side, topics of interest include (but are not limited to):
- Security and privacy in embedded systems and Internet of Things architecture,
- Secure electronics,
- Threat modelling and risk assessment,
- Online security and privacy for vulnerable populations,
- Sustainability and justice aspects in digital infrastructures.
For the policy and outreach side, we expect you to:
- Engage with ongoing proposals for technology regulation and industrial policy of the European Union and explore their links with our security and privacy research,
- Seek out interaction points with political actors and civil society organisations on topics of security, privacy, and digital rights,
- Scout the EU and NGO landscape for funding and collaboration opportunities,
- Participate to the Belgian ecosystem of cybersecurity and facilitate the contacts between EU-level and Belgian-level research institutions.
Profile
The position is open to applicants holding a PhD in Computer Science or Electronics with experience in security and privacy research. We are specifically looking for interdisciplinary profiles and researchers who strive to develop an interdisciplinary career at the intersection of technical aspects of security and privacy with social sciences and policy research. Candidates holding degrees in related fields such as media studies, ICT law, or digital humanities, are also encouraged to apply if they have established experience in the domain of cyber security. Excellent communication skills and an understanding of European politics, strong interest in policy work at the EU level, and engagement with civil society, are essential for this position.
Required skills
- Strong background in security and privacy research, demonstrated by an excellent publication record;
- Excellent scientific communication and writing skills (English required, French is a plus);
- Experience and interest to work on outreach and policy topics;
- Autonomy, reliability, high motivation;
- Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
Interested?
For more information, please contact Prof. Jan Tobias Muehlberg or (jan.tobias.muehlberg@ulb.be) Prof. Jean-Michel Dricot (jean-michel.dricot@ulb.be). Please mention reference ULB-CYBER-202308 in the subject of all communication about this opening.
Applications should be sent by Tuesday the 26th of August, 2023-08-26 AoE, to Prof. Jan Tobias Muehlberg and (jan.tobias.muehlberg@ulb.be) Prof. Jean-Michel Dricot (jean-michel.dricot@ulb.be). Please mention reference ULB-CYBER-202308 in the subject of all communication about this opening.
Applications must include the following:
- a motivation letter (up to 2 pages)
- your curriculum vitae including a list of publications.
- you may complete a standard form via our website. Once completed, the form must be downloaded and attached to the application file.
- a note on your research experience highlighting past work and achievements (up to 4 pages)
- your study curriculum and diplomas
- the names and contact information of two referees, and the nature of your contact wit them
Equal Opportunities Policy
ULB’s personnel management policy is geared towards diversity and equal opportunities. We recruit candidates on the basis of their skills, irrespective of age, gender, sexual orientation, origin, nationality, beliefs, disability, etc. Would you like to be provided with reasonable accommodation in the selection procedure because of a disability, disorder, or illness? Do not hesitate to contact Marie Botty, the Gender and Diversity resource person of the Human resources Department – SPES (marie.botty@ulb.be). Be assured of the confidentiality of this information.
More details on the ULB gender and diversity policy are available online. The regulations relating to research careers are also available online.