Post-Doctoral Fellow (A/B) in Software Engineering/software Security/Fuzzing

Job no:506120
Work type:Fixed term - Full-time
Campus:Adelaide
Categories:Level A, Level B, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Post-Doctoral Fellow A/B in Software Engineering/Software Security/Fuzzing from $71,401 to $119,391 per annum plus an employer contribution of up to 17% superannuation will apply. 

We are seeking to appoint 2 x fixed term positions of 1.5 year duration (with the possibility of extension to 3 years) to work on a research project in the areas of Fuzzing, Software Security and Automated Software Vulnerabilities Discovery in Software Binaries.

This is an opportunity for a high-achieving postdoctoral researcher to join a world-leading research group in Computer Security and Machine Learning as well as the Computer Science department ranked 48th in the world and The University of Adelaide ranked in the top 1% of Universities worldwide.

The University of Adelaide is a member of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight research-intensive universities and ranks inside the world’s top 100. In the Australian Government’s 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) assessment, 100% of University of Adelaide research was rated world-class or above, with work in 41 distinct fields achieving the highest possible rating of ‘well above world-standard’. This included Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing, and Electrical and Electronic Engineering. 

This is an outstanding opportunity to advance your career in cyber security, software engineering, machine learning whilst exploring the area of system emulation for large scale, automated, dynamic analysis of software with three world-class institutions in a world-leading environment.

You will work on a research program to address the problems in software-based full system emulation for large scale automated dynamic analysis of software. The project aims to improve vulnerability detection in arbitrary binary targets where hardware-assisted instrumentation is unavailable/infeasible (e.g., embedded systems). You will be involved in the development of theory, techniques (such as fuzzing), tools for discovering bugs and vulnerabilities in software binaries. You will work with a team of researchers from the University of Adelaide’s School of Computer Science and the Australian Institute of Machine Learning, University of New South Wales, Deakin University, CSIRO’s Data61 and Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTG).

In this role you will have the options to purse one or more of the following:

• Investigate and develop new ideas and concepts for full system emulation for large scale automated dynamic analysis of software binaries, implement, assess and benchmark methods.
• Investigate and develop machine learning techniques and/or optimisation methods for intelligent generation of input test cases to speed up dynamic analysis.
• Investigate, design and develop methods for improving performance of system emulation software.
• Investigate, design and develop a (semi) automated fuzzing toolkit for automated dynamic analysis of software.

Our world-renowned researchers have established a culture of innovation and a strong track record of publication in the top venues, particularly in the area of machine learning, computer vision and security. We're committed to delivering fundamental and commercially oriented research that’s highly valued by our local and global communities. Here you’ll work in one of the world’s most talented and creative machine learning teams, with constant research–engineering collaboration. You’ll use state-of-the-art technology and you’ll be based in the heart of one of the world’s top 10 most liveable cities.

To be successful you will need

Level A

• PhD (or soon to be awarded) OR equivalent industry experience in Computer Science or Software Engineering or a similar discipline or experience in software development, applied machine learning, computer security, computer architecture.

• Experience and demonstrable expert knowledge in one or more or the following areas:
• Fuzzing techniques and tools and/or automated software testing research and methods
• Secure software and/or Software Vulnerability Analysis and/or Programming Languages and/or Linux kernel(s) and Operating Systems
• Just in time (JIT) compilers or knowledge/experience in compiler construction and compiler optimisations.
• Optimisation techniques (with applications in the software engineering field).
• Working with and/or building CPU emulators and/or virtual machines and/or hypervisors and/or hardware virtualisation
• Computer architecture (such as Intel x86, ARM, microcontrollers)
• Machine learning domain expertise working with binaries, text, structured data, sequential data or time series data and discrete data.
• Programming experience and expertise in Rust/C/C++/Python.
• A strong work ethic and creativity evidence by key ideas generated in published research/thesis/products/tools.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, with an ability to communicate scientific ideas to an expert audience
• Commitment to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion

Level B (in addition to the above)

• A track record of generating new ideas and quality research or software products & tools as evidenced by, for example patents or publications in one or more of top-tier software engineering, computer security, machine learning, artificial intelligence conferences and/or journals commensurate with experience and opportunity.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and development with limited supervision.
• The ability to work as a member of a broader team, including with industrial partners.

Enjoy an outstanding career environment

The University of Adelaide is a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs—including significant industry, government and community collaborations—offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long and fulfilling career.

It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. And our work's cutting-edge nature—not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour—provides a constant source of inspiration.

Our core values are honesty, respect, fairness, discovery and excellence. And our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity. We are firm believers that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills of our staff.

In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include: salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.

Learn more at: adelaide.edu.au/jobs

Your faculty's broader role

The Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology is a multidisciplinary hub of cutting-edge teaching and research. Many of its academic staff are world leaders in their fields and graduates are highly regarded by employers. The Faculty actively partners with innovative industries to solve problems of global significance. 

Learn more at: set.adelaide.edu.au

If you have the talent, we'll give you the opportunity. Together, let's make history.

Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to be taken through to the online application form. Please ensure you submit a cover letter, resume, and upload a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the position description or selection criteria document.

Applications close 11:55pm, 10 June 2022.

For further information

Damith Ranasinghe
Associate Professor, School of Computer Science
P: +61 (8) 313 0066
E: [email protected]

You'll find a full selection criteria below: (If no links appear, try viewing on another device)

The University of Adelaide is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply.

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