Research Associate – AI driven Cyber Range Operations

About the SnT

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character.

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) at the University of Luxembourg is a leading international research and innovation centre in secure, reliable and trustworthy ICT systems and services.
We play an instrumental role in Europe by fueling innovation through research partnerships with industry, boosting R&D investments leading to economic growth, and attracting highly qualified talent. We look for researchers from diverse academic backgrounds to contribute to our projects in areas such as: Network Security, Information Assurance, Model-driven Security, Cloud Computing, Cryptography, Satellite Systems, Vehicular Networks, and ICT Services & Applications.

Your role

The SnT is seeking a Postdoc to support the research and development work within the SEDAN group (https://www.uni.lu/snt-en/research-groups/sedan). We seek a candidate with expertise and/or interest in the following relevant fields: machine learning and cybersecurity.

While robust infrastructures now exist for running cybersecurity exercises, the creation and management of training scenarios remain highly manual, time-consuming processes. These tasks involve designing scenarios, generating associated content, executing and monitoring exercises, providing guidance, and incorporating feedback for continuous improvement.

The project will thus focusing on increasing capabilities of existing cyber-ranges in terms of types of scenarios and experience but without exploding the operational costs. Hence, a large part of the project is dedicated to better integrate automation into multiple facets of cyber-range operation, including the federation of infrastructures to deploy complex scenarios in multiple platforms, the creation of complex scenarios themselves through federation but also thanks artificial intelligence to create or guide the creation of new contents, to ensure a more realistic and challenging execution of scenarios by integrating automated agents perturbing or helping trainees during their exercises. All together, this will enable a large diversity in exercises but will also improve the end-user experience of the trainee which is essential to ensure continuous education and learning.

In this project SnT will lead activities to define and develop AI models to be used when creating scenario contents that includes the aggregation of multiple scenarios (partial or complete) in multiple cyber-ranges assisted by AI to identify gaps (missing steps) in a full complex scenarios based on existing standards such as MITRE ATT&CK or the cyber kill-chain. As an underlying objective, the defining of common description language will be necessary to share cyber-range capacities and scenarios. Furthermore, the postdoc will also research on creating automated content based on contextualized information about a particular environment or threats a person must be trained. Hence, information about a profile of an IT infrastructure will be integrated to create a relevant scenario and exercise environment. Finally, the postdoc will also lead research on the topic of automated moderation of exercise by developing AI models capable to monitor and interpret the trainee progress and to provide assistance when needed with the objective to optimize the acquired knowledge and skills but the trainee motivation.

In addition, the candidate will be also involved in project management, reporting and dissemination. He will participate and lead tasks that require a close cooperation with other partners. The project is an outstanding project with many opportunities to team-up with colleagues and partners is thus a magnificent opportunity to develop a research agenda and a network of contacts in all Europe.

Besides, during postdoc, the candidate will have the opportunity to participate and propose other projects within the group and so also develop his/her/their own research agenda. We are working on various topics related to applied ML and cyber-security, including applications and security of LLMs.

Your profile

The candidate should possess a PhD degree in Computer Science/engineering or Telecommunication Engineering.

What we’re looking for:

• A collaborative team player with a desire to make a personal impact within our interdisciplinary research group
• A motivated candidate who can work independently and efficiently and is proactive in solving problems.
• Self-initiative, creativity, curiosity, flexibility and enthusiasm to work 

Knowledge and Experience:

The ideal candidate should have some knowledge and/or experience in one or several of the following areas:

• Different ML algorithms and architectures
• Cybersecurity including threat and vulnerability description standard frameworks
• Programming skills
• Linux environments
• Collaborative projects, leading meetings, respecting deadlines for deliverables

The following qualifications of the applicant are a bonus:

• Large Language Models
• Experience with cyber-range and virtual infrastructures
• Good knowledge of networks and systems
• Experience in leading project or project tasks

Language Skills: Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Knowledge of either French, German or Luxembourgish will be appreciated but are not a requirement to apply.

Please note that, due to the specific requirements and constraints of the project, we are only able to consider applicants from NATO member countries or NATO partner nations

We offer

• Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the “University of the Greater Region” (UniGR)
• A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …

How to apply

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by Email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg is committed to achieving gender parity among its staff. Should candidates present equivalent profiles, preference will be given to female candidates in all departments where gender parity is not yet achieved.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

General information:

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 24 Month
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Kirchberg Campus
• Internal Title: Postdoctoral researcher
• Job Reference: UOL07556

The yearly gross salary for every Postdoctoral Researcher at the UL is EUR 85176 (full time).