Postdoctoral Associate - Cyber Security

New York University; Al Ruways Industrial City; On-site; AED 22,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

New York University in Abu Dhabi invites applications for the role of Postdoctoral Associate - Cyber Security. This position focuses on advanced cyber security research, suitable for early-career researchers with strong publication records.

The successful candidate will engage in significant research projects, mentor junior researchers, and develop original research papers for leading conferences. An engaging academic environment and competitive salary are offered.

Qualifications

• Strong publication record in top cyber security conferences.
• No more than 5 years of experience after receiving the PhD.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced cyber security research focused on systems security, privacy, and secure computing.
• Develop original research questions and experimental methods.
• Mentor junior researchers and contribute to the broader cyber security research community.

Skills

Cyber security research

Systems security

Privacy-preserving computation

Fully homomorphic encryption

Industrial control systems security

Machine learning security

Secure computation

Technical writing

Research collaboration

Education

PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or relevant discipline

Job description

Job Snapshot

Postdoctoral Associate - Cyber Security

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Higher Education

Function: Research

Experience: PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or relevant discipline

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: 22,000-35,000 (estimated range based on similar jobs in the city; confirm final offer)

Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any

Overview

Postdoctoral Associate - Cyber Security in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is a specialized Higher Education research opportunity focused on systems security, privacy-preserving computation, industrial control systems security, and machine learning security and privacy. This role is suited for an early‑career PhD researcher with a strong cyber security publication record and the ability to produce high-quality research for leading international conferences and journals.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced cyber security research focused on systems security, privacy, and secure computing.
• Work on one selected research track: fully homomorphic encryption, industrial control systems security, or machine learning security and privacy.
• Develop original research questions, experimental methods, prototypes, models, and technical evaluations.
• Prepare and submit research papers to leading cyber security conferences and journals.
• Contribute to publications targeting venues such as USENIX, NDSS, CCS, S and P, and other respected security outlets.
• Analyze security risks, privacy challenges, system vulnerabilities, and technical attack or defense models.
• Review academic papers for top conferences and contribute to the broader cyber security research community.
• Mentor junior researchers, students, and research assistants involved in cyber security projects.
• Collaborate with faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, and technical teams within the Center for Cyber Security.
• Support research documentation, reproducibility, experiment design, implementation, and technical reporting.
• Participate in seminars, research meetings, project discussions, and academic activities connected to cyber security.
• Maintain strong standards of research ethics, data confidentiality, secure systems practice, and academic integrity.
• Prepare application‑aligned research materials where needed, including technical summaries, project plans, and publication drafts.

Ideal Profile

• PhD or expected PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a relevant discipline.
• No more than 5 years of experience after receiving the PhD.
• Strong publication record in top cyber security conferences.
• Prior papers in venues such as USENIX, NDSS, CCS, or S and P are highly preferred.
• Research expertise in systems security, privacy, secure computation, industrial control systems, or machine learning security.
• Ability to identify a specific application track in the cover letter, as required by the role.
• Strong technical ability in security research, experiment design, implementation, and academic writing.
• Experience reviewing, preparing, or submitting work for competitive security conferences is valuable.
• Ability to mentor junior researchers and contribute to a collaborative research environment.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.
• Strong motivation to publish high‑quality work and contribute to internationally visible cyber security research.
• Ability to submit required documents, including cover letter, curriculum vitae, research statement, transcript or degree, and at least two reference contacts.

Skills Set

• Cyber security research
• Systems security
• Privacy‑preserving computation
• Fully homomorphic encryption
• Industrial control systems security
• Machine learning security
• Machine learning privacy
• Secure computation
• Security analysis
• Privacy engineering
• Vulnerability research
• Research prototyping
• Experimental evaluation
• Academic publishing
• USENIX research standards
• NDSS research standards
• CCS research standards
• S and P research standards
• Peer review
• Research mentoring
• Technical writing
• Computer science research
• Computer engineering research
• Data security
• Secure systems design
• Research collaboration

Why Join Us

This position offers a strong platform for a Postdoctoral Associate - Cyber Security who wants to advance a research career in Abu Dhabi while working on globally relevant security and privacy challenges. The role provides competitive salary and benefits, access to an active cyber security research center, collaboration with experienced faculty and researchers, and the opportunity to publish in leading international venues.

About the Company

New York University Abu Dhabi is a globally connected research university in the UAE, supporting advanced scholarship across science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. Through its Center for Cyber Security, NYU Abu Dhabi promotes high‑level research in systems security, privacy, secure computation, industrial systems, and machine learning security. The university provides an international academic environment for researchers working on critical cyber security challenges from Abu Dhabi.