Master's Theses \"Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Cyber Security\"

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology; Town of Vienna (WI); On-site; USD 16,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology invites applications for Master’s theses in Cyber Security at our Vienna location. We are seeking motivated master’s students for a six to eight month period, with a monthly gross remuneration of EUR 1,379.60 for 20 hours per week.

You will work with senior researchers on open-source cyber security projects, including log data analysis and NLP/AI applications. Candidates should have a solid background and strong interest in data science, software

Qualifications

• Master’s student at an Austrian university in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Basic knowledge of relevant technologies and methods in the Cyber Security area.
• Conscientious, independent working style and reliability.
• Prototype development experience in Python, security monitoring tech, log data analytics, networking, Linux, C, or NLP/AI.
• Strong interest in applied research and collaboration with industry.
• Good English and German skills.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with senior researchers to develop and enhance open-source solutions for log-data analysis and cyber threat processing.
• Apply data-driven methods to process and interpret log data for cyber-attack indications.
• Explore NLP techniques and LLMs for automated processing of cyber threat intelligence feeds.
• Contribute to projects, publications, and open-source code to strengthen the European cyber security ecosystem.
• Develop scientific research skills and exchange ideas with leading experts in the field.
• Gain insights into industry collaboration and real-world cybersecurity challenges.

Skills

Python

Security monitoring

Log data analytics

Networking basics

Linux OS

Kernel development

Ansible

LLMs in cybersecurity

Education

Master’s student in CS/Data Science/Engineering or related field

Tools

Ansible

Linux scripting

Kernel internals

Job description

The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology is Austria’s largest Research and Technology Organisation (RTO). We aim to transform scientific excellence into innovation with impact. Together with our partners, we develop technologies and solutions for a sustainable, resilient, and digitalised future, strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and technological sovereignty. Our international teams combine cutting-edge research with strong implementation expertise to create measurable value for industry and society.

Our Center for Digital Safety & Security invites applications for master’s theses at our location in Vienna (Giefinggasse, 1210). At the Center for Digital Safety & Security, we conduct research into a wide range of key technologies such as distributed IT systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain technologies, quantum and photonic technologies, wireless systems (6G) and digital solutions for crisis and disaster management.

Our Research Field Cyber Security, which forms part of the Cyber Security & Communication Technologies Competence Unit, specialises in applied research in the field of digital security and is pioneering the development of highly innovative concepts, algorithms and systems for anomaly detection, cyber-threat analysis, penetration testing and cryptography. Using our groundbreaking technologies, we simulate modern ICT and OT infrastructures as well as cyber-attacks.

Master's Theses "Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Cyber Security"

• We are looking for motivated and enthusiastic master’s students to join our team for a period of six to eight months. The ideal candidate has a solid background and a strong interest in one or more areas relevant to cyber security, such as
  • (1) data science and data analysis,
  • (2) software development and systems engineering, or
  • (3) machine learning and artificial intelligence.
• You will work closely with our senior researchers to further develop and enhance open-source solutions for areas such as log-data analysis for intrusion detection, cyber threat intelligence processing, and the dynamic provisioning of complex IT infrastructures.
• Guided by our interdisciplinary team, you may apply modern data-driven methods to process, analyse, and interpret log data for indications of cyber attacks.
• Alternatively, you may focus on natural language processing (NLP) techniques and large language models (LLMs) for the automated processing and analysis of cyber threat intelligence feeds.
• As a cyber security enthusiast, you will contribute directly to our projects, academic publications, and open-source code bases, helping to strengthen the European cyber security ecosystem.
• You will further develop your scientific research skills and have the opportunity to exchange ideas with leading experts and experienced researchers in the field.
• You will gain first-hand insights into how a research organisation collaborates with customers and industry partners to address real-world cyber security challenges.

Your qualifications as an Ingenious Partner:

• Master’s student at an Austrian university in Computer Science, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Basic knowledge of relevant technologies and methods in the Cyber Security area.
• A conscientious, independent working style and a high degree of reliability.
• For prototype development, experience in one or more of the following areas is an advantage, depending on the specific thesis topic:
  • Python-based implementations, including data structures, machine learning libraries, mathematics, and statistics
  • Security monitoring technologies, technical artefacts of cyber attacks, and their analysis
  • Log data analytics, data science methods, and data visualization techniques
  • A good understanding of common network protocols, Linux operating systems, and their application in modern enterprise environments
  • Linux user-space and kernel-space development, including C programming and kernel internals
  • Automated deployment and system integration, including system design, C, Python, Linux scripting, and Ansible
  • Application of large language models (LLMs) and artificial intelligence (AI), including evaluation harnesses, prompting strategies, and their application in cyber security
• Strong interest in applied research questions and real-world challenges from industry
• High level of motivation and a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.
• Good written and spoken English and German skills

What to expect:

• Duration of the internship: 6-8 months
• Start date: There is flexibility concerning the start-date
• A remuneration of EUR 1.379,60 gross per month for 20 hours per week. In addition to our company benefits, we offer flexible working conditions and work experience in a highly innovative environment. As a research institution, we are familiar with the supervision and implementation of final theses and are looking forward to supporting you accordingly.

At AIT, we create an inclusive and family-friendly working environment that promotes equal opportunities and actively strengthens diversity across our workforce and in leadership positions. Among other initiatives, we are committed to increasing the proportion of women in our company and therefore particularly welcome applications from female applicants.