2 PhD positions in Data-driven Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Group

Deadline for receipt of applications: December 14, 2022 23:59 AoE (15 December 2022, 13:59h Europe/Madrid Time)

IMDEA Networks Institute invites applications for research positions in the area of cybersecurity. The selected candidate will become a member of the Cybersecurity group led by Dr. Guillermo Suarez-Tangil.

The candidates will conduct cutting-edge research in the application of data-driven analysis methods to understand and mitigate real-world problems in cybersecurity. In particular, the objective of these positions are to create an observatory, which allows studying the privacy and security implications to mitigate cyber-security risks in the digital transition as in [1-4].

The position offers:

• The prospect to publish at top-tier venues
• The opportunity to work in a thrilling and international environment
• The possibility to enroll in a Ph.D. program

The position requires:

• A degree in Computer Science or a related field, with a solid academic record
• Background in statistical learning or data analysis
• Background in cybersecurity
• Programming skills
• Proficiency in English

Contract Duration and Type:

• Initially 2 years, with the prospect of transitioning to a Ph.D. position up to 4 years in total.
• Competitive salary. The candidate’s experience will be considered.
• Full-time contract. Includes social and health benefits.

These positions could be totally or partially funded from funds that stem from the EU funding and the R&D strategic project oriented towards ecological and digital transition, dubbed COMET: Understanding the Trail of the Malware Ecosystem from the Underground Markets to the Surface.

[1] Exploring the Security and Privacy Risks of Chatbots in Messaging Services. In Proceedings of the 22nd ACM Internet Measurement Conference (IMC ’22). October 25–27, 2022. Nice, France.

(link: https://dspace.networks.imdea.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12761/1619)

[2] Towards Improving Code Stylometry Analysis in Underground Forums. Proceedings on Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PoPETs/PETS). July 18–23, 2022. Sydney, Australia.

(link: https://dspace.networks.imdea.org/handle/20.500.12761/1523)

[3] Measuring Alexa Skill Privacy Practices across Three Years. The Web Conference (WWW). April 25–29, 2022. Online, hosted by Lyon, France.

(link: https://suarez-tangil.networks.imdea.org/papers/2022www-alexa-3y.pdf)

[4] Jide Edu, Xavier Ferrer-Aran, Jose Such, Guillermo Suarez-Tangil. SkillVet: Automated Traceability Analysis of Amazon Alexa Skills. IEEE Transactions on Dependable and Secure Computing, 2022.

(link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2103.02637)

Equal Employment Opportunity

IMDEA Networks Institute aims to increase the proportion of women and therefore qualified female applicants are explicitly encouraged to apply. Until a balanced ratio of men and women has been achieved at the institute, preference will be given to women if applicants have similar qualifications. IMDEA Networks Institute actively promotes diversity and equal opportunities. Applicants are not to be discriminated against in personnel selection procedures on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, religion or ideology, age, sexual orientation (anti-discrimination). People with disabilities who have the relevant qualifications are expressly invited to apply.