PhD and PostDoc positions at VUSec

PhD and PostDoc positions: systems security and/or formal verification of security

VUSec, a world-leading systems security research group at the VU, is looking for PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers with a strong background in computer systems, and optionally also formal verification. If you love participating in capture-the-flag (CTF) competitions and enjoy tinkering around with compilers, operating systems, hardware, and/or network tools, these positions might be of interest to you.

AMSTERDAM

0.8 - 1

VUSec performs world-leading research in the broad area of systems security. We work on attacks, defenses, reverse engineering, and formal verification of security. We cover all major areas where security is important, especially software security, hardware security, and network security. We love to work on low-level stuff, for example tinkering with operating systems and compilers, or finding out the nitty gritty of how hardware is implemented to determine whether it is vulnerable.

For this particular vacancy, we intend to fill a number of PhD and PostDoc positions relating to the following topics:

• automatically and efficiently finding and exploiting vulnerabilities
• automatically and efficiently fixing vulnerabilities and safely applying the fixes on a running system
• formally verifying that such fixes are safe and effective
• thorough evaluation of security-related systems and research

VUSec is unique for its collaborative and friendly atmosphere, in which researchers have considerable freedom in picking their projects and who they want to do them with. We publish in top-tier conferences, and can guide you towards also becoming a top researcher and boosting your academic CV. We have a strong focus on research ethics, as well as a long-standing commitment to transparency, responsible disclosure, and open source.

See https://www.vusec.net/ for more information about our research group.

For PhD positions:

• Publish papers in top-tier venues
• Implement open source research prototypes
• Act as a teaching assistant for BSc and MSc courses
• Assist in supervising BSc and MSc theses

For PostDoc positions:

• Publish papers in top-tier venues
• Implement open source research prototypes
• Co-supervise several PhD students and guide them to top-tier publications
• Act as a co-teacher or teaching assistant for BSc and MSc courses
• Co-supervise BSc and MSc theses

• You enjoy low-level hacking and experimentation
• You are a good programmer, especially in C/C++
• You are strongly motivated to do top-tier research, and are not quickly discouraged if things do not work out as planned
• (for PhD positions) You hold a master’s degree in Computer Science or a closely related discipline
• (for PostDoc positions) You hold a PhD degree in Computer Science or a closely related discipline or are about to defend your PhD thesis
• (for PostDoc positions) You are willing and able to help in supervising a number of PhD students to publications in top-tier venues
• You have demonstrable strong knowledge and skills in computer systems, including topics such as compilers, operating systems, computer architecture, and computer networks
• You have demonstrable strong knowledge and skills in systems security, including topics such as software and hardware vulnerabilities and exploits, and fuzz testing
• Optionally, you also have demonstrable strong knowledge of formal verification, especially in the context of languages/compilers and of security
• You have good command of the English language (there is no need to know Dutch)
• You have a strong commitment to research ethics

A challenging position in a socially involved organization.

PhD positions
The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,395 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €3,061 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 0.8 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a duration of 4 years.
Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €3,491 per month during the first year and increases to €4,402 (scale 10) per month during the fourth year, based on full-time employment. The job profile: is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 0,8 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a total duration of 2 or 3 years.
Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

• a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment 
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus 
• solid pension scheme (ABP) 
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 26,000 students. We employ over 4,600 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to around 6,000 students.

About the department
The VU Department of Computer Science has approximately 170 staff members, including approximately 90 PhD students. Lecturers form a critical and essential basis for the functioning of the department, providing foundational education that helps determine the future of our students.
Our research and our students are diverse, covering disciplines such as Social sciences, Humanities, Economics, and Bioinformatics. Currently, we offer programs in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Information Sciences (BSc and MSc), and Bioinformatics and Systems Biology (MSc), with a total of around 1000 new students each year.

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter until

. 

Applications received by e-mail will not be processed.

Vacancy questions
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, you may contact:

Name: VUSec faculty members
Position: Full/Associate/Assistant Professor
E-mail: [email protected]

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