PhD Candidate in Cybersecurity and Software Engineering

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked as one of the world's leading universities. There are around 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We unite in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of people.

Lund University welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles in all parts of our operations.

Description of the Department

The Department of Security and Network Systems at the Faculty of Engineering, Lund University (LTH), conducts broad research in cryptography, computer security, wireless and wired networks.

The security group consists of around 20 members. The main research areas are cryptography, privacy, and system security for connected systems.

We now offer a new position as a PhD candidate focusing on cybersecurity and software engineering.

The position is in collaboration with the Department of Computer Science, covering a wide range of topics such as theoretical computer science, parallel systems, robotics, software engineering, and technology. The software engineering group has about 15 members and works on both software and AI engineering-related topics, with a strong empirical focus and close collaboration with industry.

Being a PhD Candidate

As a PhD candidate, you are both admitted as a student and employed by Lund University.

As a doctoral student, you are trained in a scientific approach. This can be briefly described as gaining practice in critical and analytical thinking, solving problems independently using the right methodological choices, and developing research ethical awareness. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, develop your leadership skills, and enhance your pedagogical abilities. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies conclude with a dissertation and a PhD degree. More about being a PhD candidate at LTH can be found at lth.se.

Subject and Project Description

The position is part of “Cybercampus Sweden” and LTH’s research center NextG2Com.

“Cybercampus Sweden” is a major national initiative on cybersecurity coordinated by the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, with all major universities in Sweden as partners. Cybercampus supports research and innovation in cybersecurity for Swedish industry and the public sector, as well as educational efforts. More about “Cybercampus Sweden” (cybercampus.se).

NextG2Com – a Vinnova competence center coordinated by Lund University. NextG2Com is a competence center for future advanced communication systems that integrate wireless communication technology and networks, software, data, and security through relevant application areas (advanced digitization). In NextG2Com, Lund University collaborates with industry and public actors with support from Vinnova. More about NextG2Com (nextg2com.lu.se).

You will conduct research and teaching at the intersection of cybersecurity and software engineering. The research will focus on threat analysis and risk assessment (TARA), with particular emphasis on how existing TARA methods can be adapted to new AI-based and AI-driven software development. The goal of the research is to understand the limitations of existing TARA frameworks and how these can be further developed to meet regulatory requirements, such as the European Union’s AI Regulation (EU AI Act).

The research area also includes principles for automating TARA analyses for AI applications and AI-based software development. For the future of AI-driven software development, it will be crucial to ensure high security without compromising the security quality of the software. Case studies and experimental research are expected to be central research methods in the PhD project.

Responsibilities

You will primarily focus on your doctoral education, which includes participating in research projects as well as doctoral courses, seminars, and conferences.

The responsibilities include:

• Research in cybersecurity and software development.
• Participation in research projects.
• Taking doctoral courses.
• Responsibilities also include participation in teaching and other departmental work (maximum 20% of working time).

Some of the work will be carried out at the Cybercampus office at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and in collaboration with other PhD candidates across Sweden within the same research program.

Qualifications

To be admitted and employed as a PhD candidate, you must meet the requirements below.

For the full advertisement, please see here (https://lu.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:896562/).

LTH – Lund University’s Faculty of Engineering – is part of Lund University. At LTH, we educate people, build knowledge for the future, and work hard to develop society. We create space for brilliant research and inspire creative development in technology, architecture, and design. Nearly 12,000 students study here. Each year, our researchers – many of whom work in world-leading profile areas – publish around 100 dissertations and 2,000 scientific findings. A number of research results and student projects are refined into innovations. Together we explore and create – for the benefit of the world.

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