Postdoctoral Fellow in Cybersecurity for Water Infrastructure via Human Competence & Resilience
Høgskolen i Østfold
- Frist 1.9.2024
- Ansettelsesform Vikariat
Postdoctoral Fellow in Cybersecurity for Water Infrastructure via Human Competence & Resilience
Postdoctoral Fellow in Cybersecurity for Water Infrastructure via Human Competence & Resilience
About the position
The postdoctoral fellow will be engaged in research and development within the context of the Digital Europe-funded project ATHENA (https://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/en/projects/international-projects/athena-cyber-resilience-of-critical-infrastructure-in-the-water-sector).
Project ATHENA aims to create new and innovative cybersecurity training solutions for Operational Technology (OT) professionals in critical water infrastructure. As part of this project, new technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) are being used to develop immersive training environments through which OT professionals can gain the necessary knowledge and skills associated with best practices.
However, designing different types of training in cybersecurity faces significant challenges in the ability to adapt trainings to a constantly changing threat landscape. Equally, understanding which learning delivery methods are most effective plays a key role in ecological validity when attempting to improve cybersecurity behaviours and minimizing or preventing attacks. Consequently, it is key to work with individuals who work in the field of OT, and those developing modern training tools, when designing new learning platforms for their organisations. For further information see ATHENA (https://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/en/projects/international-projects/athena-cyber-resilience-of-critical-infrastructure-in-the-water-sector)
The position creates an opportunity for collaboration with other research disciplines within the strategic area of The Digital Society, and with private and public organisations in Norway, and further afield.
The position`s workplace is Østfold University College, Campus Fredrikstad.
Work tasks
The postdoctoral fellow will:
- Contribute to research and development on:
- the scoping and needs assessment specific to the development of a cybersecurity training solution for OT professionals in water critical infrastrucutre.
- the cognitive and neurocognitive design and development of the pilot training solution for ATHENA including the integration of all training components into a pilot solution.
- collecting, processing and conducting statistical analyse of research data to establish a profound learning environment for OT professionals.
- designing and carrying out experiments for testing the efficacy of educational interventions.
- depicting the current threat landscape in the cyber and information environment to advise on necessary changes in the cybersecurity training portfolio, to prepare for emerging future threats.
- Contribute to the development of the communication and dissemination strategy of ATHENA.
- Contribute to the development of research and education in cybersecuity training for Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience by leading and supporting new research and innovation.
- Work on initiating, organizing, writing proposals for, coordinating, and carrying out national and international R&I projects of high quality, to be funded by national and international sources e.g., the RCN (The Research Council of Norway), and the European Commission.
Participate as an active member of the ATHENA project and in activities of the Faculty for Health, Welfare and Organisation, including supervision and co-supervision of MSc and PhD students.
Qualification requirements
Essential Criteria:
- You must have completed a Norwegian doctoral degree or corresponding foreign doctoral degree recognized as equivalent to a Norwegian PhD in information security, computer science, or equivalent. Documentation of the obtained doctoral degree must be presented before you can take up the position.
- You must be a citizen of an EU or NATO member state.
- Track record with publications on relevant research areas in credible journals and conferences.
- Being able to attend and present at national and international forums.
Good written and oral English language skills.
The appointment is to be made in accordance with Regulations on terms of employment for positions such as postdoctoral fellow, Ph.D Candidate, research assistant and specialist candidate.
Preferred selection criteria
- Knowledge and skills in any of the following areas:
- Human Factors in Cybersecurity
- Cognitive science
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Cyber ranges / Cyber exercises
- Statistical analysis of research data
- Defining and verifying requirements and specifications for cyber education and training systems
- Developing, integrating and testing modern VR technologies in human computer interaction
- Developing and operating laboratory facilities
- Use case and scenario specification for cyber education and training
- Experience in applying innovative technology to learning environments
- Data fusion and correlation
Experience with participating in EU and/or nationally funded research projects related to human factors in cybersecurity.
Experience with having developed research project proposals for external funding bodies such as the European Commission, Research Council of Norway, etc.
Personal characteristics
- Flexibility and willingness to work on a broad range of topics covered by the ATHENA project.
- Initiative-taking and self-starter who works well with minimal supervision and shows excellent judgement about when to look to managers and teammates for guidance, and when and how to communicate with diverse stakeholders.
- Team player with a proven track record of building cross-functional relationships and ability to work in an international research team.
- Effective communication and negotiation skills, both written and verbal persuasiveness and strong influential skills.
- Eager to learn with a high desire to perform and disseminate high-quality research.
- Being able to travel frequently.
Emphasis will be placed on personal and interpersonal qualities.
We offer
- exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
- an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
Salary and conditions
As a Postdoctoral Fellow (code 1352) you are normally paid from NOK 615 000 - 700 000 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
The position is subject to external funding. The period of employment is 2.5 years full time.
The engagement is to be made in accordance with the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. It is a prerequisite that you can be present at and accessible to the institution throughout the duration of employment.
Submission of applications
The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment, must be in English.
Please note that your application will be considered based solely on information submitted by the application deadline. You must therefore ensure that your application clearly demonstrates how your skills and experience fulfil the criteria specified above.
The application must include:
- CV and certificates
- Transcripts and diplomas for bachelor's-, master's- and PhD degrees. If you have not yet completed your Ph.D, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the doctoral dissertation, or that your PhD thesis has been submitted.
- A copy of the doctoral thesis. If you are close to submitting, or have recently submitted your thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed doctoral degree must be presented before taking up the position.
- Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 items)
- Research plan focused explicitly on the suitability of the candidate for the position, and the proposed approach for addressing the described work.
- Name and contact information of three referees.
If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education. Description of the documentation required can be found here. If you already have a statement from NOKUT, please attach this as well.
Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.
In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal and interpersonal qualities. Motivation, ambitions, and potential will also count in the assessment of the candidates.
Østfold University College is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA. This means that we pay special attention to the quality and professional breadth of these works. We also consider experience from research management and participation in research projects. We place great emphasis on your scientific work from the last five years.
Postdoctoral Fellow in Cybersecurity for Water Infrastructure via Human Competence & Resilience
Østfold University College, Faculty for Health, Welfare and Organisation, has an available temporary postdoctoral fellowship position where the main goal is to qualify for work in senior academic positions.
Contact details
For further information about the position, please contact
- Associate professor Benjamin Knox
e-mail:benjamin.knox@hiof.no - Dean of research professor Kirsti Skovdahl
e-mail:kirsti.i.skovdahl@hiof.no
Om arbeidsgiveren
The university’s academic environments are organized into three major faculties: the Faculty of Health, Welfare, and Organization; the Faculty of Teacher Education and Languages; and the Faculty of Information Technology, Engineering, and Economics. Additionally, we have the Norwegian Theatre Academy. Approximately 650 employees work at the university, and we have about 8,000 students.
Through education, research, and artistic development of national and international quality and relevance, and through our contribution to public discourse and knowledge dissemination, we create a better and more sustainable society. We aim to have international engagement while also strengthening our visibility and focus on the local community. Through interaction and dialogue with regional businesses and society, we take an active role as a societal developer. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about their field and who want to contribute to the development of Østfold University College, building an attractive, competent, and forward-thinking institution. The Digital Society is our largest priority area of research, where we explore the interaction between digitalisation and society from various theoretical perspectives and develop new responsible digital technology. Our other priority area of research is Language in Learning, which aims to enhance collaboration across language disciplines and create conditions for a diverse research and teaching environment. Become one of us!
- Sektor: Offentlig
- Sted: Kobberslagerstredet 5, 1671 Kråkerøy
- Bransje: Barn, skole og undervisning, Forskning, utdanning og vitenskap, Offentlig administrasjon
- Stillingsfunksjon: Forskning/Stipendiat/Postdoktor
- FINN-kode 366132434
- Sist endret