Network Security Researcher

Carnegie-Mellon-University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bus pass

Family Concierge childcare

Fitness center access

Tuition benefits

Job summary

Carnegie Mellon University in Arlington, VA / Pittsburgh, PA is seeking a Network Security Researcher on the Network Situational Awareness team to study threats, develop detection methods, and tailor them for partner environments.

You will help shape NetSA tool requirements, write publications, and provide training while working with data sources such as netflow, application metadata, and emerging host-based telemetry.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS or related field with 8 years experience; or MS with 5 years; or PhD with 2 years.
• Willingness to travel nationally and obtain security clearance.
• Background check required and able to obtain Department of War security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Research network threats and develop detection methods for NetSA.
• Develop detection capabilities and provide new requirements for NetSA tool suite.
• Write publications and provide customer-specific training.
• Collaborate with partners to interpret data and expand data sources.

Skills

Networking knowledge

Scripting languages

Threat detection research

Communication of findings

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or related field

MS in CS or related field

PhD in CS or related field

Job description

What We Do

Our team, within the Cyber Risk and Resilience Directorate researches, designs, and develops software tools for the collection, storage, and analysis of network data to provide security insights. We provide both the core network tools to facilitate this capability, and prototypes of new methods to present the data most effectively. We work with data at a scale generally not experienced by most organizations, handling record counts in the tens of billions per day. Developing security insights at this scale requires creativity, efficiency, and contemporary knowledge of modern computing platforms. In some cases, the computing has outpaced the methods, and it is incumbent upon us to generate novel views of both the entire data collection, and of focused datasets tailored to specific analyst needs. Our network situational awareness security tools are published here: https://tools.netsa.cert.org/

Position Summary

As a network security researcher on the Network Situational Awareness team, you will research network threats to develop methods of detection and tailor these for partner environments. Transition of this research will take the form of developing detection capabilities, providing new requirements and feature requests for our NetSA Security tool suite, writing publications, and providing customer-specific training. The primary network data source for the team is netflow combined with application layer metadata, with an expanding focus on host-based (e.g., EDR) and cloud telemetry. You will be responsible for gaining insights from data to facilitate detections, working with partners to help them to better understand their data and researching new data sources to expand the expertise of the team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a relevant technical discipline with eight (8) years of relevant work experience; or a MS in Computer Science or a relevant technical discipline with five (5) years of relevant work experience; or a PhD in Computer Science or other relevant technical discipline with two (2) years of relevant work experience.


• Movement between buildings within the SEI and CMU community required. Willingness to travel to various locations to support the SEI's overall mission. This may include national travel to sponsor sites, conferences, and offsite meetings on occasion.


• You will be subject to a background check and will need to obtain and maintain a Department of War security clearance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to translate threat intelligence to avenues for research, prototyping, and curation of detection capabilities. Strong knowledge of network fundamentals, common application layer protocols, and network-based telemetry. Strong proficiency in at least one scripting or programming language such as Python, Go, Ruby, C, Java, or Scala. Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, detailed research, and ability to document and communicate ideas and findings to diverse audiences.

Desired Experience

• Hands-on experience in a security research, threat hunting, detection engineering, or Cyber threat Intelligence (CTI) analyst role.


• Experience analyzing large datasets, especially network telemetry such as netflow, application metadata, or PCAP from network sensors such as YAF, Zeek, Suricata, etc.


• Experience applying cybersecurity data science methods and practices.


• Experience using open-source and / or commercial Internet intelligence telemetry and datasets.


• Strong grasp of the threat landscape and experience researching and investigating threats.


• Experience presenting technical topics.

Benefits

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more! For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

Location

Arlington, VA, Pittsburgh, PA

Job Function

Software/Applications Development/Engineering

Position Type

Staff - Regular Full Time/Part time Full time Pay Basis Salary

More Information

Please visit "Why Carnegie Mellon" to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran. Statement of Assurance

Accessibility Statement

We are committed to providing an accessible experience throughout our recruitment process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the application, interview, or hiring process, please contact Equal Opportunity Services by email at [e-mail] or by phone at 412-268-5072.

Contact Information

For technical assistance, email HR Services or call 412-268-4600.