[TYPES/announce] PhD position in Formal Methods for Security and Concurrency at NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

Wed Aug 18 04:00:40 EDT 2021

We have a vacancy for a PhD researcher at the Systems Security Group in
the Information Security Division of the Department of Information
Security and Communication Technology at the Norwegian University of
Science and Technology (NTNU) in the Gjøvik campus.

* Deadline:  30 September *
(Apply through the official announcement
https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/209665/phd-candidate-in-formal-methods-for-security-and-concurrency
)

The topic is generally placed at the intersection between security and
concurrency with applications to many modern systems included under the
term concurrency, such as distributed and communicating systems,
multi-core or high-performance computing, or more generally systems of
systems. The main focus of the topic will be on formal methods and
tools applied to novel problems stemming from the combinations of
security and highly complex concurrent systems. Depending on the
inclinations and skills of the applicant, the work can include
theoretical investigations as well as development and improvement of
existing methods and tools for solving verification challenges in such
modern applications; but the work can also include modelling and
verification of real-world protocols pertaining to, e.g., IoT, Smart
Grids, or Smart Contracts. Therefore, the research tasks can be anything
from more theoretical, designing new formalisms and algorithms, to more
practical, implementing modules, extensions, or new tools.
If the work will go in a more theoretical direction, the candidate can
expect to look into formalisms such as process algebras and their
methods such as bisimulations, or into concurrency models and the
challenges these bring to security, or into more mathematical topics
including logics, relational algebras, automata, etc. If the work will
go in a more practical direction, the candidate can expect to work with
security verification tools such as Isabelle or Tamarin.

* Contact: christian.johansen at ntnu.no *  (for inquires about the
position) Details follow.

* Duties of the position *
    • Work with formal tools such as Isabelle or Tamarin
    • Develop formalisms/logics/algorithms for modelling and
verification of security
    • Apply formal methods to study novel problems at the intersection
of security and modern concurrent systems
    • Participate in teaching and supervision duties on topics related
to the above

* Required selection criteria *
    • You must have a technically relevant background in Mathematics or
Computer Science, with an advantage given by background in Security or
Concurrent systems
    • Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree
programme, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level
    • You must have a strong academic background from your previous
studies and an average grade from the master's degree program, or
equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared with NTNU's
grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies,
you must have an equally good academic basis. If you have a weaker grade
background, you may be assessed if you can document that you are
particularly suitable for a PhD education (e.g., having long practical
experience in relevant fields).
    • Good grades in topics close to Theoretical Computer Science or
Mathematics

* Preferred selection criteria *
    • Both Mathematics and Computer Science count as suitable
backgrounds due to the generality and inclusiveness of the topic focused
on formal methods.
    • Background in Security and its applications is only secondary,
because formal methods techniques is the more difficult part of the
topic, whereas Security is the applications part.
    • Excellent written and oral English language skills should be
documented either through tests or through already produced works.
    • Scandinavian language speakers have advantage due to their
suitability for the teaching and supervision duties of the position.

* Personal characteristics *
    • Motivated for research with a curious character and inquisitive mind
    • Hardworking and tenacious with a flair for detail and organization
of knowledge
    • Appreciative yet critical, always looking for the differences and
similarities between concepts
    • Good team and collaboration skills and appreciation for diversity
of people and consideration for opposite views

* We offer *
    • exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic
environment
    • an open and inclusive work environment with many opportunities for
career development
    • long-term stays abroad and collaboration opportunities with, e.g.:
Gothenburg, Rennes, Sheffield, Warsaw, Luxembourg.
    • a large number of possible industrial collaborators to provide you
research results with test scenarios and innovation opportunities
    • favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
(https://www.spk.no/en/)
    • employee benefits
(https://innsida.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/Norsk/Ansattegoder+og+fordeler)

Salary and conditions

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 482
200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority.
From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian
Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3 or 4 years (with teaching duties
https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2006-01-31-102 ).

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD
programme in Information Security within three months of employment, and
that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment
period. (https://lovdata.no/dokument/SFE/forskrift/2018-12-05-1878 )

* About the application process *
The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for
the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application.
Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the
information available on the application deadline. You should ensure
that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet
the criteria which are set out above.

_The application must include:_
    • CV, certificates and diplomas
    • transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's and master's degrees. If
you have not completed the master's degree, you must submit a
confirmation that the master's thesis has been submitted.
    • A copy of the master's thesis. If you recently have submitted your
master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of
a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
    • Project proposal (or Letter of Interest) detailing why you fit for
the position
    • Research plan
    • Name and address of three referees
    • If you have publications or other relevant research work

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask
you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire
education, both bachelor's and master's education, in addition to other
higher education. Description of the documentation required can be found
(https://www.ntnu.edu/positions/documentation-requirements-of-academic-credentials).
If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your
contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your
participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be
placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal
qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the
assessment of the candidates.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality
according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

* General information *
Working at NTNU (https://www.ntnu.edu/nirs)

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage
qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional
capacity or cultural background.

The city of Gjøvik has a population of ca.30 000 and is a town known for
its rich music and cultural life. Gjøvik is located at a 2h train ride
from the capital, Oslo, which is often a place for students to go when
needing a more exciting/cultural outing. The beautiful nature
surrounding the city is ideal for an active outdoor life! The Norwegian
welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall
equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world.

-------------------------------------------------
Have a nice day from
Christian Johansen
assoc.prof. in Systems Security group
at Dept. Inf. Sec. & Comm. Tech. of NTNU
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Webpage: https://christian.johansenresearch.info/
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