Postdoc in Human-in-the-loop Software Engineering for Secure Software Supply Chains

Chalmers University of Technology; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee benefits

Gothenburg campus

Relocation support

Job summary

Chalmers University of Technology invites applications for a postdoc position in software security, hosted in Gothenburg. The role focuses on human-in-the-loop security analysis and collaboration with WASP-sponsored ShiftLeft researchers.

It offers a dynamic research environment with opportunities for collaboration, supervision, and potential teaching. The successful candidate will join a team spanning cybersecurity, program analysis, and software engineering, and engage with PhD students and

Qualifications

• PhD in Computer Science or Software Engineering required by employment decision.
• Strong written and spoken English.
• Motivated, independent, with strong analytical problem-solving ability.
• Well-documented research interests and achievements related to the project.

Responsibilities

• Perform research studies and publish in top conferences and journals.
• Supervise master’s and PhD students to a certain extent.
• Possibility to engage in teaching at undergraduate/masters level.

Skills

English proficiency

Analytical thinking

Independent worker

Education

PhD in Computer Science or Software Engineering

Job description

We are offering a postdoc position in an exciting national project focusing on software security, with great opportunities for collaborations with top researchers in cybersecurity, program analysis, and software engineering. The position is salaried (not just fully funded) and part of a lively research environment located in the beautiful city of Gothenburg on the West coast of Sweden.

The position is part of the ShiftLeft project funded by WASP, a flagship project with partner universities at KTH, Linköping, and Umeå.

About Us

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering, a joint department of Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg, spans the breadth of computing disciplines. Our internationally visible research, strong industry links and diverse environment create a collaborative setting where ideas grow into real impact.

At the division of Interaction Design and Software Engineering, we design smarter ways to engineer better software, and explore how people engage with digital systems, combining global research perspectives with strong collaboration with industry.

About The Research Project

Software is often the root cause of vulnerabilities in modern computing systems. By focusing on securing the software, we target principled security mechanisms that provide robust protection against large classes of attacks. Modern software applications are almost never built from scratch but reuse a significant amount of code that has been built by 3rd parties. These code artifacts, in the form of externally developed libraries, packages, and frameworks form the core of their so-called software supply chain. The goal of ShiftLeft is to contribute to a new paradigm shift for securing software supply chains.

As a postdoc in the project, you will focus on human-in-the-loop aspects of a self-adaptive security analysis platform. The platform performs static and dynamic security analysis. The idea is that not all analysis results shall be displayed the same way all the time, but different vulnerabilities and analysis results will be more or less relevant in different situations. Some of the questions you will be able to address as part of your postdoc are: (i) how can an adaptive human-in-the-loop layer be designed that dynamically adjusts what security analysis results are displayed, depending on the context?, (ii) what human and contextual factors are relevant to consider (e.g., experience of the developer, stress, expectations, …)?, and (iii) how can relevant factors be formally modelled and used to adapt the displayed analysis results? The successful applicant will be encouraged to collaborate with PhD students and postdocs working on related topics in the ShiftLeft project and be involved in supervision.

The position is partially funded by WASP. Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP) is Sweden’s largest individual research program ever, a major national initiative for strategically motivated basic research, education and faculty recruitment. The program addresses research on artificial intelligence and autonomous systems acting in collaboration with humans, adapting to their environment through sensors, information and knowledge, and forming intelligent systems-of-systems. The vision of WASP is excellent research and competence in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software for the benefit of Swedish society and industry. Read more: https://wasp-sweden.org/

Who We Are Looking For

• A doctoral degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering or an equivalent foreign degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• You are highly motivated, energetic, independent, and have well-developed analytical problem-solving ability
• A well-documented track record of research interests and achievements in an area strongly related to the project

You are expected to be somewhat accustomed to teaching, and to demonstrate good potential within research and education.

The Following Experience Will Strengthen Your Application

• It is highly meritorious if the doctoral degree has been obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline

What You Will Do

• Perform research studies and publish in top conferences and journals
• Supervise master’s and/or PhD students to a certain extent
• Possibility to engage in teaching at undergraduate/master’s level

The position is meritorious for future roles in academia, industry, or the public sector.

Contract terms

The position is a temporary full-time employment for two years with the possibility of a one-year extension.

The position requires physical presence throughout the entire employment. A valid residence permit must be presented by the start date, otherwise the offer may be withdrawn.

What We Offer

• As a postdoc at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and ourbenefits for employees.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
• Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.

Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.

If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.

For Questions Please Contact

Rebekka Wohlrab
Associate Professor
[e-mail]

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture.With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.

Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.

A background check may be conducted as part of the application process.