The Cybersecurity (CYS) group at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) invites applications for full-time doctoral candidates in Internet Measurement and Systems for Cybersecurity. Successful candidates will follow a data-driven approach by collecting and analyzing massive network and web data to improve security and privacy on the Internet and of networked systems. Examples include fighting cyber threats (e.g., ransomware, phishing, denial of service attacks, scanning for system vulnerabilities), identifying and mitigating network and Web vulnerabilities (e.g., unauthorized access, user tracking), and assessing the adoption of user data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) in the wild. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to work closely with world-class researchers at TU Delft and our research collaborators in Europe and the US.

Our group conducts research in a range of cybersecurity topics, including, secure data analytics, applied cryptography, privacy, cloud security, system security, and network security. We aim to make the world a safer place as most of our activity and data move online. We design, develop, and evaluate interdisciplinary solutions that combine all fields of computer sciences: artificial intelligence, systems, and theory. Examples include the development of deep learning methods that are immune to common side-channel defences, machine learning algorithms that can operate on encrypted data in the cloud, detection and mitigation of large scale distributed denial of service attacks, and analysis of the latest security threats. We aim to publish our results at top conferences and journals, transfer our scientific know-how and technologies to students and our public and private partners in the field of cybersecurity, and have impact in society and the research community.     

We are looking for researchers with:

• MSc (or equivalent) degree in Computer Science and Engineering or a closely related field by the time of the appointment.
• Experience in (at least) one (1) of the following areas: (i) Internet Measurement, (ii) Systems Security, (iii) Web Security and Privacy.
• Experience in collecting and analyzing network, Internet, or Web datasets.
• Knowledge of network monitoring technologies like Wireshark, NetFlow, SFlow, IPFIX.
• Knowledge of Internet/Web protocols (BGP, DNS, NTP, DHCP, SNMP, HTTPS, TLS, MQTP).
• Data analytics skills e.g., python and SQLite, and knowledge or willingness to work with data-intensive platforms, e.g., Spark or ClickHouse.
• Experience with active port scanning, honeypot installation and operation, systems programming is a plus.
• Excellent oral and written skills in English.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 18 months.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.