PhD Research Fellow in Computer Science: Framework for Continuous and Automated Threat Modeling

The Department of Computing, Mathematics and Physics at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, has a vacancy for a research fellow (PhD position) in Framework for Continuous and Automated Threat Modeling for a period of 4 years

About the position:

The Department of Computing, Mathematics and Physics at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, has a vacancy for a research fellow (PhD position) in Framework for Continuous and Automated Threat Modeling for a period of 4 years.

The PhD research fellow will be part of the PhD programme in Computer Science: Software Engineering, Sensor Networks and Engineering Computing (http://ict.hvl.no (http://ict.hvl.no)). The research programme in Computer Science currently includes 20 professors and associate professors, 30 PhD and post-doctoral research fellows, and a large number of master's stude

About the PhD project:

Are you passionate about enhancing the security of ever-evolving software systems? We invite you to be part of an innovative research team focused on developing a state-of-the-art, context-based threat model framework that accounts for the continuous changes in modern software systems and their dependencies.

 

The successful candidate will conduct international research in collaboration with the group's existing SmartOcean project (https://sfismartocean.no/ (https://sfismartocean.no/)). This project is connected to various aspects of society and societal infrastructure, offering a unique opportunity to make an impactful contribution.

 

Our mission is to create a robust framework that can adapt to various design and operational environments, platforms, frameworks, and libraries, ensuring the highest level of security. As a proof of concept, we aim to use this framework to support continuous secure development of underwater monitoring systems and ocean data platform for the SmartOcean project.

 

Research environment

The computer science research environment at HVL has a strong focus on use-inspired and applied research, and on ICT as an enabling technology. The research environment has cooperation with many national and international research groups, and with national and regional industry partners. The research programme includes the research themes of software engineering, engineering computing, communication systems and sensor networks, grid computing and physics data analysis, machine learning, and interactive and collaborative systems. The present PhD research fellow position is associated with the software engineering research group ( https://www.hvl.no/en/research/group/software-engineering/  (https://www.hvl.no/en/research/group/software-engineering/) ) which has a strong track record in model-based software development and undertakes research on applications in areas such as health-care, cloud technology and internet-of-things, industrial automation, and robotics. PhD research fellows receive an annual work expense funding which can be used for conference participation, research visits, and equipment.

Qualifications:

TThe PhD research fellow must hold a master's degree in software engineering/computer science or in a closely related field or have submitted the master's thesis in these domains before the application deadline. In the latter case, it is required that the master's degree must be awarded within 4 weeks after the applications deadline. A solid background in software engineering, distributed systems, and security will be considered an advantage when applicants are ranked.

 

In addition to the required educational background, the following criteria will be evaluated: competence and grades on completed course work, quality of the master's thesis (excellent grade, equivalent of grade B or better in the ECTS grading system), publications (if any), research and teaching experience, practical software engineering skills and experience. A possible outline of a research plan for a potential PhD project will also be considered.

 

The candidate must be diligent and display the ability to work independently, supplemented with regular guidance, and is expected to carry out high-quality research and to publish the results in international workshops, conferences, and journals.

 

The PhD research fellow must enroll in the PhD programme in Computer Science: Software Engineering, Sensor Networks and Engineering Computing at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences and must meet the formal admission requirements for admission into the PhD programme. 25% of the 4-year period will be designated to duties such as teaching, development and administrative tasks. The employment period may be reduced if the successful applicant has held previous employment as a research fellow. 

The PhD candidate will be assigned two academic supervisor(s) at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences. An application for enrolment should first be submitted after an appointment is made and the supervisor(s) will help with this procedure. The candidate must be enrolled as a PhD student within 3 months from the start of the employment.

Application procedure:

Applications will be evaluated by an expert panel of three members.

Applicants are asked to submit their application and CV online. Please use the link “Apply for this job" (“Søk stillingen").

The following documentation should be uploaded as an attachment to the online application:

• Master Thesis
• Copies of selected academic publications (no more than 15)
• A CV with a complete list of academic publications
• Diplomas and certificates

Applicants should indicate which publications or parts of publications should be given special consideration in the evaluation. If the documents submitted are not in a Scandinavian language or in English, the applicants must submit certified translations of these. The transcripts must specify the topics, the course works, and the grades at the bachelor`s and master`s degree levels. 

Applicants with a degree from a country other than Norway, need to attach a certified translation of the diploma and transcripts of grades to English or a Scandinavian language, in addition to the original documents, if the original is not in any of these languages. It is required that the applicant encloses a recognition document showing that their degree is equivalent to a Norwegian bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD. You can read more about applying for recognition of foreign higher education here. (https://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education/education-from-outside-of-norway/recognition-of-foreign-higher-education-bachelor-master-and-phd)

The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) offers an automatic recognition document for certain degrees from selected countries. If the applicant's degree is covered by the automatic recognition, it will be sufficient to attach this document. Read more about automatic recognition here. (https://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education/education-from-outside-of-norway/recognition-of-foreign-higher-education-bachelor-master-and-phd/automatic-recognition-a-quicker-alternative)

As the HK-dir application process may take some time it is recommended to apply to HK-dir as soon as possible. If you have not received a recognition document from HK- dir within the  application deadline, please enclose documentation from HK-dir showing that they have received your application.

Applicants should note that the evaluation will be based on the documentation submitted electronically via Jobbnorge within the submission deadline. The applicants are responsible for ensuring that all the documentation is submitted before the closing date. It is of utmost importance that all publications to be considered in the evaluation are uploaded as an attachment with the application, since these are sent electronically to the expert panel. Applications cannot be sent by e-mail or to individuals at the college.

Salary:

• Good occupational pension, insurance and loan schemes from The Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• Exciting academic environment with the possibility of competence enhancement and development
• Opportunities for training within the working hours 

Initial salaries will be offered at grade 54 (code 1017) in the Civil Service pay grade table scale.

There is a compulsory 2 % deduction to the pension fund (see http://www.spk.no for more information). The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at any time.

General information:

The appointment will be made in accordance with the regulations for State employees Law in Norway ("Lov om statens ansatte)". Organizational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities associated with the position must be expected.

This position is part of a research collaboration involving partners from the Defence sector. Applicants must fulfil requirements for national security clearance.

State employment shall reflect the multiplicity of the population at large to the highest possible degree. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences Bergen has therefore adopted a personnel policy objective to ensure that we achieve a balanced age and gender composition and the recruitment of persons of various ethnic backgrounds.

Information about the applicant may be made public even though the applicant has requested not to be named in the list of applicants. The applicant will be notified if his/her request is not respected.

Short-listed applicants will be called in for an interview.

Employed on condition that you are granted a work and residence permit (must be considered individually).

Western Norway University of Applied Sciences is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications. 

Contacts:

1) Associate Professor Tosin Daniel Oyetoyan, phone: +47 55 58 71 67, e-mail: Tosin.Daniel.Oyetoyan@hvl.no

 

3) Professor Harald König , phone: +49 160 7372697, e-mail: harald.koenig@hvl.no

2) Professor Rogardt Heldal, phone: +47 464 30 095, e-mail: rogardt.heldal@hvl.no

 

4) Professor Håvard Helstrup, Coordinator of PhD Program on Computer Science, phone: (+47) 55 58 75 61, e-mail: Havard.Helstrup@hvl.no

Inclusion, challenging norms, collaboration

Homepage (http://www.hvl.no)