Postdoc in Systems Security – Hardware-assisted Software protection

Job description

We invite applications for post-doctoral research positions with the Secure Systems Group (SSG) group at EECS/SCS. We are looking for highly motivated individuals with a very strong background and interest in systems security and privacy. Successful candidates will contribute to one of our research areas especially along two themes: “Platform security and application”s and “Machine learning and security/privacy”. Our goal is to provide the environment for the successful candidate to mature into an independent academic at the end of the two-year postdoc stint. In addition to leading their own research projects, the successful candidate will also gain experience in student supervision and mentoring.  In close cooperation with Prof. N. Asokan and Prof. Panos Papadimitratos.

SSG designs, builds, and analyzes trustworthy systems. Our research agenda covers a gamut of security and privacy problems, both from an offensive as well as a defensive perspective. SSG comes to KTH with Prof. Asokan, who will be joining KTH as a Wallenberg Guest Professor in 2026, has led numerous projects in Europe and Canada, with significant industry and academic collaborations.  You can see past SSG activities at https://ssg-research.github.io/.

Qualifications

Requirements

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
• Significant documented research expertise in systems security, especially hardware-assisted mechanisms for the protection of software systems, as evidenced by, for example, several top-tier publications as primary author.
• Written and spoken English proficiency as this will be required in day-to-day work.
• Collaborative abilities and teamwork skills.
• As a person, you have strong motivation and the ability to work independently.

Preferred qualifications

• A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• Teaching abilities and documented student supervision.
• Significant industry research experience.
• Prior research experience on the interplay between security/privacy and AI.
• Awareness of diversity and equal opportunity issues, with specific focus on gender equality.

Great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Join us at KTH

KTH shapes the future through education, research and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in advancing the transition towards a sustainable society. At KTH, you have the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic environment, with good working conditions and attractive benefits. Equality, diversity and equal opportunities are essential to quality and form an integral part of KTH’s core values as a university and public authority.

Learn more about our benefits and what it's like to work and grow at KTH.

Trade union representatives

Contact information to trade union representatives.

To apply for the position

Log into KTH's recruitment system to apply for this position. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete according to the instructions in the ad.

1. Cover letter: One-page summary of your application.
2. Curriculum vitae: A document on all your relevant academic, professional, and other achievements, experience, and knowledge. Maximum five (5) pages.
3. Statement of purpose: Please discuss: your motivation and research interests, your preparation (studies, technical knowledge, research, experience, etc.), your future goals, and how they relate to and complement research within SSG. Maximum two (2) pages.
4. Transcripts and degrees: Official documents from your previously attended University-level institutions, with certified translations in English (unless provided so by the issuing institution).
5. Full list of publications
6. Representative publications relevant to the application: Up to three (3) documents.
7. Recommendation letters: Please include detailed contact information for at least three (3) references.

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

About the employment

The position offered is for, at the most, two years.

A position as a postdoctoral fellow is a time-limited qualified appointment focusing mainly on research, intended as a first career step after a dissertation.

Others

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It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.