Specialist – Forensic Examiner (Decryption)

Europol; Den Haag; Hybrid; EUR 78,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthy work-life balance

Flexible working hours

Structured teleworking opportunities

Comprehensive annual leave

Maternity/ parental leave

Job summary

Europol is seeking a Specialist – Forensic Examiner (Decryption) to provide expert decryption and digital forensic services, operating the Decryption Platform, and liaising with EU bodies and international partners. The role involves organizing training, representing Europol at events, and developing new decryption methods.

Ideal candidates will have experience in digital forensics, large GPU clusters, Python programming, and cryptography fundamentals, with desirable familiarity with hashcat/JtR

Qualifications

• Experience in digital forensics and decryption.
• Experience with large-scale GPU clusters.
• Experience with workload distribution/parallel computing.
• Programming in Python (CUDA, OpenCL would be an advantage).
• Knowledge of cryptography fundamentals (encryption algorithms, key derivation).
• Experience with automation for digital forensics and wordlist building techniques.
• Baseline digital forensic techniques knowledge.
• Experience developing decryption software/plugins (hashcat, JtR) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert decryption and digital forensic services on-site when required.
• Operate Europol’s Decryption Platform and coordinate with ICT and DG JRC.
• Liaise with EU MS, EU bodies, third countries, and international organisations on decryption matters.
• Support unit projects by organizing meetings, training, and conferences.
• Represent Europol at digital forensic and security events across Europe and internationally.
• Perform technology foresight in decryption and digital forensics.
• Contribute to development of new decryption and forensic methods and tools.
• Draft and finalise reports, briefings, and strategic documents.

Skills

Digital forensics

Decryption

Python

GPU clusters

Parallel computing

Hashcat

JtR plugins

Tools

Hashcat

JtR

CUDA

OpenCL

Job description

Headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, Europol offers a purpose-driven career, as every role offers a profound sense of accomplishment through making a positive contribution to society. Europol’s mission is to support its Member States in preventing and combating all forms of serious international and organized crime, cybercrime and terrorism. We are committed to upholding the values of service, integrity, accountability, initiative, partnership, and diversity. As part of Europol, you will collaborate with diverse top-tier experts, forge international connections, be involved in the ongoing evolution of strategies, technologies, tools and methodologies that underpin European Security, and thrive in a supportive environment that nurtures both personal and professional growth.

Currently Europol is looking for a Specialist – Forensic Examiner (Decryption), who will be responsible for decryption services, digital forensics and advanced programming in order to support Europol and its partners in the fight against cyber-dependant crime.

He/she will be entrusted with the following tasks:

• Providing expert decryption and digital forensic services in the field of competence of Europol’s EC3 DSU Forensics Team, including on-site assistance when required;
• Operating Europol’s Decryption Platform, liaise with Europol ICT and DG JRC to ensure continuity of Decryption Platform operations;
• Acting as a liaison with EU MS, EU bodies, third countries, and international organisations on decryption and digital forensic matters;
• Supporting the projects of the Unit, such as organising meetings, training sessions and conferences;
• Representing Europol at high-level digital forensic and digital security events across Europe and internationally;
• Performing a technology foresight in the areas of decryption and digital forensics;
• Contributing to the development of new decryption, access to data and digital forensic methods, tools, and best practices;
• Independently drafting and finalising reports, briefings, and strategic documents;

Key requirements and knowledge:

• Level of education as described in the vacancy notice on Europol's website;
• Experience in digital forensics and decryption;
• Experience in designing, maintaining and operating large scale GPU based clusters;
• Experience in development, deployment and use of workload distribution/parallel computing solutions;
• Experience in programming using Python (CUDA, OpenCL would be an advantage);
• Experience in development and use of automation solutions for digital forensics and wordlist building techniques.
• Knowledge of baseline digital forensic investigation and examination techniques;
• Knowledge of applied cryptography fundamentals - encryption algorithms, key derivation functions etc.;
• In depth knowledge of hashcat usage and it's modes of operation;
• Intermediate programming skills in Python.
• Experience in development of decryption software (plugins for hashcat, JtR) (desirable)
• Experience in engaging with subject matter expert groups, management of such groups and networking (desirable);

The basic monthly salary is 6.961,29 (step 1) or EUR 7.253,84 (step 2.

a) Staff member (single) in receipt of expatriation allowance (16%): EUR 7.240

b) Staff member with two dependent children in their custody in receipt of expatriation allowance (16%): EUR 9.436,00

Compensation and benefits:

• Healthy work-life balance and working environment: flexible working hours, structural teleworking opportunities (depending on the nature of your job), comprehensive annual leave, and maternity/parental leave In line with the EU civil service rules;
• Employees are protected against illness, accidents, and the risk of occupational disease by the Sickness Insurance Scheme (JSIS), which offers global insurance coverage;
• Staff pay EU tax at source, but salaries are exempt from national taxes;
• A competitive salary and benefits package (which can include expatriation, household, foreign residence and education allowances) in line with the EU civil service rules (Click here to explore our supplementary allowances;
• Europol fosters a continuous learning culture. We offer a comprehensive learning and development programme that is aligned with the overall business strategy and that values people’s performance and development;
• Social benefits in the form of unemployment allowance under certain conditions, as well as pension rights for Temporary and Contract Agents after 10 years of service;
• Possibility to advance in grade/salary through annual appraisal exercise and opportunities for lateral development within the organisation;
• A workplace that values environmental sustainability, diversity, inclusion and equal opportunities.