Post-Doctoral Fellow - Cybersecurity

Ontario Tech University; Oshawa; On-site; CAD 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian research university in Ontario is seeking a Post-Doctoral Fellow in Cybersecurity. The position offers an annual salary of $45,000 with potential teaching opportunities. Candidates with a recent PhD and a strong research background in Cybersecurity and AI are encouraged to apply. This role includes significant research responsibilities, collaboration with industry, and mentoring junior researchers. The environment fosters diversity and inclusion among applicants.

Benefits

Flexible remote work

Opportunities for mentoring

Collaborative research environment

Qualifications

• PhD in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, AI or related field.
• Strong research publication record required.
• Ability to manage research projects effectively.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in cybersecurity and AI.
• Develop research objectives and proposals.
• Nurture collaborations with partners.
• Disseminate research findings.
• Supervise undergraduate students and interns.

Skills

Research and analytical skills

Communication skills in English

Publication experience in top-tier journals

Ability to explore partnership opportunities

Education

Recent PhD (less than 5 years) in relevant field

Tools

Cybersecurity tools and frameworks

AI development tools

Job description

Post-Doctoral Fellow - Cybersecurity

Tracking Code:req1698

Faculty of Business and Information Technology

Number of Positions: 1

Appointment Type:Limited Term

Salary Grade:Administered in accordance with the Collective Agreement

Posting Date:August 12, 2025

Closing Date: October 31, 2025(7:00 pm EST)

The Advanced Networking Technologies and Security (ANTS) research lab in the Faculty of Business and IT at Ontario Tech University, has an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) in the area of Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The position will be supervised by Assistant Professor Li Yang and Professor Khalil El-Khatib and will be offered for 1 year (with the possibility of extending the term upon research performance). The base salary for the Fellowship is $45,000, and there is also the potential to teach up to two courses for additional compensation ($8,518 per course).

We are looking for a collaborative researcher with an interdisciplinary mindset, who will make a substantial contribution to the research lab, its members and partners. Candidates should have a background in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, IT, Artificial Intelligence, or Software Engineering, or a related field. A strong research publication record is required, and publications in top-tier journals or conferences (e.g., IEEE Transactions, CCF-A venues) are preferred. The successful candidate will conduct research at the intersection of foundational and applied aspects of cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Potential research areas include, but are not limited to, the Internet of Things (IoT), Intrusion Detection, Anomaly Detection, Network Automation, 5G/6G, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI), Autonomous Vehicles, Automated Machine Learning (AutoML), TinyML, Model Optimization, Multi-Objective Optimization, Online/Continual Learning, and Adversarial Machine Learning. Experience and publications in multiple areas among these research fields are required and preferred. The candidate will also be responsible for exploring and developing partnership opportunities with various companies. The candidate will also be responsible for managing research projects, in collaboration with industry partners.

There will be substantial opportunities for mentoring junior researchers and developing collaborations with companies and other research groups. The successful candidate will be expected to play an active role in these activities, as well as advancing the research team profile and its broader mission to become a globally recognized lab for research and development in the field of cybersecurity and AI.

We aspire to be a collaborative, open-minded, inclusive, supportive, and fun environment for researchers to work and grow in, and we welcome applications from candidates who want to help us advance this culture.

Responsibilities:

• To undertake fundamental and applied research in the areas of cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Intrusion Detection, Anomaly Detection, Automated Machine Learning (AutoML), TinyML, Multi-Objective Optimization, and Adversarial Machine Learning.
• To develop research objectives and proposals for joint research, in order to achieve the goals of the lab and the institute.
• To develop and nurture collaborations with partners, including companies, public/non-profit organizations, and other research groups and communities, locally, nationally, and internationally.
• To disseminate research findings through academic publications, research seminars, online events, whitepapers, news articles, and conference presentations.
• To supervise undergraduate students and interns on relevant research projects, and to provide guidance and mentorship to graduate students where appropriate.
• To contribute to writing proposals for partnership and research funding.
• To undertake management/administration arising from research.

Required Education:

• Recent PhD (less than 5 years since PhD graduation) or equivalent in a relevant field, such as Cybersecurity, Computer Science, IT, Artificial Intelligence, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or Software Engineering.

Required Skills and Experience:

• High level research and analytical skills, especially in cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI), preferably in the Internet of Things (IoT), Intrusion Detection, Anomaly Detection, Network Automation, 5G/6G, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI), Autonomous Vehicles, Automated Machine Learning (AutoML), TinyML, Model Optimization, Multi-Objective Optimization, Online/Continual Learning, and Adversarial Machine Learning.
• Ability to plan and execute research projects effectively, including developing objectives, assessing time/resource requirements and risks, and using resources effectively.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly, in English, through written project and grant proposals, publications, visualizations, and oral presentations.
• Experience in publishing papers in top-tier journals and conferences (e.g., IEEE Transactions, CCF-A venues).
• Experience in preparing grant applications and research proposals is an asset.
• Ability to explore partnership opportunities with potential public and private companies.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader research-related management/administration processes.

We adopt a flexible approach to working remotely or from the lab, however the successful candidate must be based primarily in Ontario while in post. We anticipate that at least some physical presence at the lab will be necessary, and international travel might be required in line with international research community norms.

This position falls within the bargaining unit represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the University and PSAC. The collective agreement may be found on the Human Resources section of our website. Candidates will be required to certify that they are currently legally eligible to work in Canada for the duration of the contract.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit in electronic format a covering letter and their resume. Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2025 or until a suitable candidate is found. We appreciate all applications received; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Ontario Tech University is actively committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, indigenization and decolonization (EDIID), and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, while especially encouraging applications from First Nations, Metis, Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and those eligible to work in Canada, will be given priority.

Ontario Tech University respects people's different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants where appropriate. The University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all aspects of the recruitment cycle.

If you require accommodation, please contactJulie Day , Health and Disability Management Specialist.For more informationabout the universities policies for accommodating employees with disabilities please review the university’sAccessibility Policy.

The university acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of theMississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.

Job Location:Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Expected Start Date:1/1/2026

Expected End Date:12/31/2026