Assistant Professor in Computer Security

The Department of Electrical and Information Technology at LTH is recruiting an Assistant Professor in Computer Security. 

The employment is located at the Department of Electrical and Information Technology, Division of Security and Network Systems (SECNET). The division consists of 19 senior researchers and approximately 20 doctoral students, with a rich collaboration with industry. In the field of data security, our focus is primarily on the protection of computer resources and data in networked systems. Research is conducted in areas such as key management, secure execution environments, anomaly detection, protection against overload attacks, and safeguarding privacy. The research group has a well-established network of collaboration both nationally and internationally. The position is broadly oriented within the field of data security, and we are seeking a candidate who can contribute to research aimed at making computer systems less vulnerable and sensitive to attacks, ensuring privacy, and/or automating the protection of data and computer resources to the greatest extent possible. Particularly important for the coming years is knowledge of technologies such as machine learning and virtualization and how they can be used to create less vulnerable systems. In terms of machine learning, a crucial area of concern is not only how machine learning can be used to enhance protection but also understanding new vulnerabilities, such as those related to personal privacy resulting from machine learning-based applications. Applications span various areas, including telecommunications systems, traffic systems, industrial systems, and data protection for health applications. Our teaching includes courses in computer security, web security, and the construction of secure systems at both fundamental and advanced levels, as well as in doctoral education.

The Assistant University Lecturer is expected to collaborate with existing researchers within the research group, as well as with other groups within the division and the department, and institutions at Lund University with related activities. It also includes actively building collaborations nationally and internationally. The applicant is expected to have in-depth knowledge in one or more of the designated research areas (see specific subject description below) with a willingness to further develop and deepen their research through independent studies, collaboration with doctoral students, and through new partnerships.

The position is funded within the framework of a special initiative on cybersecurity from the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP)[1]. This means that, in addition to funding for the Assistant Lecturer position, full funding is provided for doctoral positions associated with the new position. The new Assistant Lecturer is expected to actively participate in the supervision of these doctoral students and, once docent competence is achieved, take on the main supervisory role. Additionally, funding is provided for two postdoctoral positions for two years each within the employment. The new Assistant Lecturer is expected to be responsible for developing profiles and recruiting for these two positions.

Subject

Computer security

Subject description

The subject of the position encompasses methods and principles for protecting data in safety-critical applications, as well as protection against overload attacks and the maintenance of personal privacy. There are significant challenges in researching how machine learning can be used to attack traditional computer systems, but also to create new principles for protecting systems, making them more robust, and, not least, automating security architectures and protection systems. The subject includes the following sub-areas:

• Principles for creating execution environments that are difficult to influence externally or that provide information about what is being processed through side channels or in other ways for parties without authorization to certain information.
• Solutions for maintaining personal privacy and how data can be processed without leaking sensitive information about individual-related data.
• Security for next-generation mobile networks, especially methods for managing security for analysis functions and resource allocation in mobile networks.

Work duties

Employment as an assistant professor is a tenure track position, which aims for the holder to develop their independence as a researcher and educator. The work duties mainly involve research and teaching. The position includes the opportunity to undertake five weeks of training in teaching and learning in higher education.

Work duties include:

• Research within the subject area.
• Teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Actively seeking external research funding.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society.
• Recruitment of researchers and building up a research group
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements

Qualification requirements for employment as an assistant professor are fulfilled by someone who has been awarded a doctorate or has the corresponding research competence.

Primary consideration should be given to someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent competence within five years of the deadline for application for employment as an assistant professor. However, someone who has been awarded a doctorate or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are special grounds. Special grounds are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Assessment criteria

For appointment to assistant professor, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and carry out high quality research.
• Teaching ability.

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Significant documented research experience (e.g. from postdoc or doctoral studies) from another university/institute or relevant experience from industry/public sector.
• Documented experience in theoretical and experimental methods within the subject area.
• Good knowledge within at least one of the three sub-areas according to the subject description
• Documented experience in teaching and course responsibility.
• Collaborative skills, initiative and the ability to solve work tasks independently, as well as a demonstrated interest in leadership.

Other qualifications

• Documented experience of collaboration with industry.

The extent to which the applicant, through their experience and skills, may complement and strengthen ongoing research, undergraduate education, departmental innovation, and how they can contribute to the future development of the department will also be taken into consideration.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 6 years. The employment is regulated in accordance with Chapter 4 Section 12a§ HEA. The purpose of the appointment is for the teacher to be given the opportunity to develop research autonomy and acquire the scholarly and teaching qualifications required for eligibility for appointment as a senior lecturer.

We offer 

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.  Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:

http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/

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Promotion to Senior Lecturer in Computer security

During the period of employment, an assistant professor can apply for promotion to a permanent position as Senior Lecturer if he or she has the required qualifications listed below, and is deemed suitable. An assistant professor can only apply for promotion once.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to senior lecturer requires that the applicant has:

• A PhD or corresponding research competence or professional expertise considered important with regard to the subject matter of the post and the work duties it will involve.
• Demonstrated teaching expertise.
• Completed five weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning, or acquired equivalent knowledge by other means.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria specify the aspects to be considered, and the level to be achieved, for the assessment criteria to be deemed fulfilled. The following assessment criteria must be fulfilled for appointment to senior lecturer:

• A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for international experience shall be assessed with consideration to the character and traditions of the subject.
• Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities on different levels and using a variety of teaching methods.
• An ability to supervise doctoral students to achieve a PhD.
• An ability to collaborate with wider society and communicate his or her activities.
• A general ability to lead and develop activities.

Additional requirements

• Good ability to collaborate, independence and drive.
• Sufficient knowledge of Swedish to carry out administrative and educational tasks that require an understanding of Swedish.
• Progression in research and teaching expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to attract external research funding in competition.
• Ability to teach in Swedish.

[1] https://wasp-sweden.org/