Open PhD Student / Doctoral Researcher Position in System Security – TU DARMSTADT

Open PhD Student / Doctoral Researcher Position in System Security

Our group is part of the Center for Research in Security and Privacy (CRISP) at Technische Universität Darmstadt, and associated to the Intel Collaborative Research Institute for Secure Computing (ICRI-SC) at TU Darmstadt, Germany. We conduct security research at different abstraction layers from hardware, operating system, and applications to design and implement malware-resilient platforms. The position is offered until March 31. 2018

Research Area. We are looking for a highly motivated and qualified PhD candidate who explores runtime attestation techniques for embedded and cyberphysical systems. Embedded systems have become pervasive and are built into a vast number of devices such as sensors, vehicles, mobile and wearable devices. However, due to resource constraints, they fail to provide sufficient security, and are consequently vulnerable to runtime exploits/malware such as code injection and return-oriented programming. The PhD candidate should develop novel countermeasures that build on hardware software co-design principles to harden embedded and cyberphysical systems against these attacks. In addition, he/she should investigate innovative attestation protocols and mechanisms to allow verification of the software state of a remote device.

Expected Qualifications. The candidate should hold Diploma or Master Degree in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering, be able to write and present scientific results in English, and bring well-founded knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Practical and theoretical background in system security
• Hardware software co-design
• Exploitation techniques and reverse-engineering
• Low-level/system programming

We expect excellent, independent research and we are supporting publication of this research at renowned international conferences and in leading scientific journals. The capability to transfer theoretical concepts into practice is required.

Opportunity for further qualification (doctoral dissertation) is given. The fulfillment of the research and service requirements attached to this position serve at the same time as fulfillment of the academic requirements for a candidate’s doctoral degree.
The Technische Universität Darmstadt intends to increase the number of female faculty members and encourages female candidates to apply. In case of equal qualifications applicants with a degree of disability of at least 50 or equal will be given preference. Wages and salaries are according to the collective agreements on salary scales, which apply to the Technische Universität Darmstadt (TV-TU Darmstadt). Part-time employment is generally possible.

Application Formalities. Your application should include your current curriculum vitae, MSc/Diploma certificates and grades, a letter of motivation stating your interest in the position, and recommendation letters. Please send your electronic application as one single PDF file to Dr. Lucas Davi (lucas.davi@crisp-da.de) with the subject “Application STC”.