PhD: AI-Driven IC Reverse Engineering & Security

Tilburg University; Tilburg; On-site; EUR 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Tilburg University’s Cognitive Science & AI Research Center invites applications for a PhD researcher position within the SHIELD project, an AI-assisted reverse engineering initiative for hardware assurance and intelligence analysis under the Department of Intelligent Systems. The role sits at the intersection of computer vision, micro-electronics analysis, and hardware security.

You will develop a pipeline for analyzing high-resolution microscopy data of ICs, combining SEM, PEM, and FIB imaging

Qualifications

• PhD in computer vision, AI, electrical engineering, or a related field.
• Strong experience with deep learning, image analysis, and multimodal data.
• Ability to collaborate across academic and defence partners.

Responsibilities

• Develop a pipeline for multilayer segmentation and nanoscale analysis from microscopy data.
• Design graph-based models to reconstruct higher-level logical blocks and detect anomalies.
• Evaluate memory extraction and vulnerability analysis using physically grounded image data.

Skills

Deep learning

Computer vision

Hardware security

Microscopy analysis

Education

PhD or equivalent in a related field

Tools

SEM

FIB

PyTorch

Graph-based inference

Job description

Tilburg University’s Cognitive Science & AI Research Center invites applications for a PhD researcher position within the SHIELD project, an AI-assisted reverse engineering initiative for hardware assurance and intelligence analysis under the Department of Intelligent Systems. The role sits at the intersection of computer vision, micro-electronics analysis, and hardware security.

You will develop a pipeline for analyzing high-resolution microscopy data of ICs, combining SEM, PEM, and FIB imaging