Senior Researcher, Machine Learning and System Security

Huawei; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Huawei Finland's Helsinki System Security Laboratory (HSSL) seeks a Senior Researcher specializing in machine learning for platform security. The role emphasizes ML techniques and security concepts to improve device protection, including hardware-assisted memory protection, attestation, and secure execution.

The candidate should have a PhD or near‑completion with strong ML credentials and be fluent in English, capable of collaborating across teams in a fast‑paced industrial research setting in

Qualifications

• PhD or near completion with strong ML background and security relevance.
• Solid background in probabilistic ML, statistics or applied mathematics.
• Experience applying AI/ML to real-world use cases, especially in security contexts.
• Understanding of computing architecture and OS internals.
• Ability to work in English and collaborate in a team.
• Interest in industrial R&D environments.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in ML for platform security and hardware-assisted security.
• Develop and evaluate ML models for security decisions on devices (transformers, inference architectures).
• Collaborate with hardware/software teams to integrate security solutions in consumer devices.

Skills

PhD-level candidates

Probabilistic ML

Applied mathematics

AI/ML in real-world use cases

OS internals

English communication

Teamwork

Industrial research experience

Education

PhD in ML/CS/Statistics

Master’s with strong ML background

Tools

C/C++

Rust

Hypervisors

Job description

Helsinki System Security Lab (HSSL) – Senior Researcher, Machine Learning and System Security

With recent developments in Agentic AI, the impressive capabilities of large language models and the widespread application of AI-based services, products and tools, the security architecture of (consumer) computing devices is adapting to new concepts of computing – among others the transition from application-based to agentic devices, heterogeneous architectures with security features distributed between accelerators and CPUs as well as new access control demands related to balancing agentic capabilities against protection a devices against attacks. Additionally, machine learning models can likely also be leveraged as a framework for security decisions related to anomaly detection, threat intelligence (APT) – even access control - if the logic can be synthetized to setups that are small and fast enough to be used e.g., locally on terminal devices without harmful loss of accuracy. We are looking to complement our team with a researcher whose main direction will be specializing in machine learning for platform security. Preferably the candidate has a solid background in both machine learning techniques and technology (neural networks, inference architectures, including transformers) and the application of such, as well as skills and experience needed for platform security, i.e., a solid understanding of security concepts and cryptography, computer hardware and architecture (OSs) as well as low-level/embedded programming. For this candidate, a deep understanding of ML however takes priority. We are looking for PhD-level candidates (fresh or soon-to-be graduates), or potentially candidates with a lower education level, but solid industry experience in the fields presented. The position is full-time, permanent, on-site in Helsinki, Finland.

We are looking for:

• PhD-level candidates
• Strong educational background in probabilistic machine learning, statistics, applied mathematics
• Hands-on experience in applying AI/ML to real-world use cases
• Familiarity with computing architecture and operating system internals
• Sufficient skills to work and interact in English
• Good team-working skills
• Candidates with interest to conduct research in an industrial environment

The following we count as advantage:

• Solid experience with low-level, OS‑like software (hypervisors), hardware architecture using programming languages such as C, C++ or Rust.
• Education / experience / coursework in security‑related fields such as cryptography, cybersecurity, virus protection / threat intelligence, anomaly detection, attacks (CTF, ..)

Location:

This position is located at our R&D office in Ruoholahti, Helsinki, Finland. The role requires full-time onsite work from our Helsinki office.

Employment type:

This is a full‑time employee position.

Helsinki Systems Security Laboratory in Huawei Finland (HSSL) drives renewal and mastery in the field of platform / device related security technologies for consumer devices such as mobile phones and PCs. Our topical expertise lies in hardware‑assisted memory protection, trustworthy execution (processor isolation primitives, hypervisor, TEE, kernel hardening), as well as functionality like device key management, attestation and integrity. We are also making inroads in the areas of security testing and AI protection on terminal devices.