Course Lecturer - INFS 677: OT Security and Industrial Control Systems

McGill University; Montreal; On-site; CAD 11,000 - 13,000; Part time

Job summary

McGill University’s School of Information Studies is seeking a Course Lecturer to deliver INFS 677: OT Security and Industrial Control Systems for Winter 2027. The role is in-person with a 3-hour weekly lecture, including preparation of materials, quizzes, assignments, interactive labs, and exams.

The lecturer will also provide student guidance and grading. Ideal candidates hold a Master’s degree in Computer/Electrical Engineering or Cybersecurity and have at least 3 years of industrial

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Cybersecurity.
• At least 3 years of industrial cybersecurity experience with hands-on operations.

Responsibilities

• Teach in-person OT security and ICS course (3-hour weekly lecture).
• Prepare teaching materials, slides, quizzes, assignments, labs and exams.
• Hold office hours and guide students on assignments and projects.
• Grade coursework.
• Labs will be provided by a third-party; provide guidance to students to complete lab activities.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Education

Master’s degree in Computer Engineering,Electrical Engineering,Cybersecurity

Job description

McGill’s School of Information Studies Master’s program (https://www.mcgill.ca/sis/home) is seeking Course Lecturer to teach INFS 677: OT Security and Industrial Control Systems course for Winter 2027.

INFS 677: OT Security and Industrial Control Systems

Responsibility

Teach an in-person course in OT security and industrial control systems. 3-hour lecture time per week. Duties include:

• Preparing teaching materials, slides, quizzes, assignments, interactive lab activities, projects, and exams.
• Holding office hours to answer students’ questions,
• Guiding students to complete assignments and projects.
• Grading.

The Course Lecturer has the flexibility to define the components in the grading scheme. The interactive lab activities will be created and delivered by a third-party services provider. The Course Lecturer has to provide guidance to the students to complete the lab activities.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Cybersecurity.
• At least 3 years of industrial experience in cybersecurity and hands-on machine learning-based cyber defense operations, including threat hunting.
• At least 3 years of experience in developing cyber operations training lab activities.
• At least 3 years of teaching experience in control system security and system exploitation.
• At least 1 year of teaching experience in malware detection.
• Previous experience in developing training programs in cybersecurity.
• Excellent communication skills.

Course Rationale

The design rationale is grounded in the urgent need to address vulnerabilities within operational technology and industrial control systems, ensuring resilience in domains such as smart grids and manufacturing plants. With the increasing integration of industrial systems into digital networks, this course aims to equip students with specialized knowledge in safeguarding critical infrastructures such as SCADA systems and PLCs. By emphasizing threat identification, risk mitigation strategies, and incident response protocols specific to OT/ICS, the curriculum ensures a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and effective countermeasures. Moreover, by incorporating the integration of IT and OT security approaches, the program prepares students to bridge the gap between traditional IT security practices and the specialized demands of industrial control systems.

Course Description

This course focuses on the unique security challenges and best practices associated with operational technology (OT) and industrial control systems (ICS). Students will learn about the critical components of OT and IC environments, such as SCADA systems, PLCs, and other industrial devices. They will explore the potential risks and vulnerabilities in these systems and develop strategies for securing them against cyber threats. Additionally, the course will cover methods for monitoring, detecting, and responding to incidents in OT/ICS environments, as well as the integration of IT and OT security strategies within organizations. (Prerequisite: INFS 683)

Course Topics

• Introduction to Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS)
• Understanding SCADA Systems and their Functionality
• Vulnerability Analysis of PLCs and Industrial Devices
• Threat Landscape in OT/ICS Environments

Hiring Unit

School of Information Studies

Course Title

INFS 677: OT Security and Industrial Control Systems

Subject Code

INFS 677 001

Location

Education 624

Schedule

Wednesday 5:35 pm - 8:25 pm

Salary

$ 11, 824.00

Contract Dates

Course lecturer contract will be from January 5, 2027, to May 7, 2027, inclusively.

Please keep in mind the course start and end dates will not follow the contract dates.

Salary Details

Salary will be commensurate with the salary scale for Course Lecturers, as described in the McGill Course Lecturers and Instructors Union Collective Agreement (https://www.mcgill.ca/hr/files/hr/mcliu_collective_agreement_-_final_version_for_printing_0.pdf).

Equity Statement 1

McGill University is committed to equity in employment and diversity. It welcomes applications from indigenous peoples, visible minorities, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, women, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities and others who may contribute to further diversification.

Instruction Language

The language of instruction at McGill is English, but a working knowledge of French would be an asset.

Hiring Unit Duplicate

School of Information Studies

Course Title Duplicate

OT Security and Industrial Control Systems

Subject Code Duplicate

INFS 677 001

Location Duplicate

Education 624

Schedule Duplicate

Wednesday 5:35 pm - 8:25 pm

Deadline to Apply

2026-11-04

Equity Statement 2

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

Employment Equity Program

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].