Research Assistant in Computer Systems with PhD studentship

Applications are invited for positions as Research Assistant in Computer Systems affiliated with the Cloud Competency Centre (CCC) at the National College of Ireland (https://www.ncirl.ie/cloud ). The Research Assistant is expected to be registered to pursue a PhD degree alongside their research responsibilities.

This is an attractive opportunity to significantly contribute to the EU-funded project DIGITAL4Security (https://www.digital4security.eu/ ). The project aims to equip European SMEs and Companies across multiple sectors with the cybersecurity management, regulatory, and technical skills they need to prevent and respond to existing and emerging cybersecurity threats, helping to safeguard European industries from cyber-attack.

The primary objective of these positions is to develop innovative concepts derived from functional and non-functional requirements, which will be obtained from canonical parallel patterns, resource constraints, and performance models.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and carry out a comprehensive PhD research aligned with the objectives of the DIGITAL4Security project including code development and deployment, as well as writing project deliverables, writing and presenting conference papers, and writing journal articles.
• Collaborate and participate in suitable DIGITAL4Security activities in Ireland and, if circumstances require, abroad in subject-related areas.
• Contribute to the development and enhancement of the research profile of the Cloud Competency Centre.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be requested by the DIGITAL4Security Principal investigators and the Head of the Cloud Competency Centre.
• Engage proactively in writing research deliverables and proposals for future funding.
• The successful approval of the PhD’s annual progress report is critical to be completed during the first year of this position. 

Qualifications & Experience Required:     

• MSc in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Cloud Computing or closely related discipline. By exception, applications from candidates with a First Class Honours degree in relevant disciplines may be accepted.
• Substantial programming experience using programming languages such as Python/Java/C and solid working knowledge and experience of Linux internals, debugging, and software engineering principles. Provide evidence of relevant projects such as GitHub repositories.
• Possess self-motivation, attention to detail and the ability to thrive in an international team environment.
• Balance the pressures of research and administrative demands and competing deadlines within the project.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Evidence of publication record in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and selective conferences in computer science is a plus.
• A 2-page Original Research Proposal is required as part of the application for this position, identifying a significant research question, outlining the research methodology, describing potential outcomes, and demonstrating its relevance and importance. Note that in the case where Large Language Models have been used to make important changes ("polishing"), such as rewriting whole paragraphs, content and/or code generation it needs to be disclosed accurately, including which sections are concerned.

Salary: €30,025 per annum (Researcher Assistant SALARY BAND) N.B. Fixed amount as per the research grant. PhD tuition fees will be covered separately.

Annual Leave: 31 days.

Contract: 36 months Full-Time Fixed Term Contract (to start on 1st of October 2024 or immediately thereafter). The position is subject to a probationary period of up to 6 months during which the successful enrolment for the PhD is required.

Application Deadline: 30th of August 2024 at 17:00 GMT.

For detailed information and how to apply please click the ‘Apply’ button above.