PHD STIPEND IN CYBERSECURITY-PRESERVING OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHMS

Why earning a PhD is an advantage in today's industry job market

At the Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Department of Electronic Systems, a PhD stipend in cybersecurity-preserving optimization algorithms is available within the general study programme Electrical and Electroninc Engineering. The stipend is open for appointment from March 1, 2022, or soon as possible thereafter. In electronics engineering, Aalborg University is known worldwide for its high academic quality and the societal relevance of its research programmes. The Department of Electronic Systems consists of more than 200 employees, of which about 40 % are international and about 90 are enrolled PhD students. The Department hosts 620 students. The Department’s excellent research infrastructures and facilities accentuate its global position in teaching and research. The Department’s research centres around communication, antennas, control systems, AI, sound, cybersecurity and robotics. The Department plays an active role in translating discoveries and results into practical applications with industrial partners and IPR. The Department provides teaching for several BSc and MSc programmes using a problem- and project-based learning model.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The PhD project aims to develop methods for detecting whether a cyber-attack takes place and pinpointing (isolating) the attack’s exact location.

The anticipated approach leans upon fault detection techniques and safety verification methods known in control engineering. In short, the idea is to use a physical model that predicts the expected evolution and compare it with the measurements. If a fault occurs, the discrepancy between the prediction and the actual situation is observed. The nominal distribution is compared with the distribution extracted from the measurements. The discrepancy between these two is a metric of how severe the attack is. We compute the probability of the attack and intend to use classification techniques known in machine learning to determine the software code under attack. We will use three types of information in the detection algorithm: sensor data, dynamical models (hydraulic, mechanical, electrical), and network traffic data. The detection algorithms will be implemented using a cyber-secure protocol, e.g., multiparty computation.

The PhD student will collaborate with R&D engineers from two major Danish companies Ørsted and Grundfos.

You may obtain further information from Prof. Rafal Wisniewski, Department of Electronic Systems, phone: +45 29133623, email: raf@es.aau.dk , concerning the scientific aspects of the stipend.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master’s degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

Shortlisting will be applied. This means that subsequent to the deadline for applications the head of department supported by the chair of the assessment committee will select candidates for assessment. All applicants will be informed whether they will be assessed or not.

For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Ms. Lisbeth Diinhoff , The Doctoral School at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design, email: ld@adm.aau.dk , phone: +45 9940 9589.

For more information of The Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design: www.phd.tech.aau.dk

The application is only to be submitted online by using the “Apply online” button below.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

AGREEMENT

Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of 28 June 2019 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the current Circular of 11 December 2019 on the employment structure at Danish universities.