[ecoop-info] PhD positions in Dept. of Computer Science, U. of Oslo (with topic: Secure and Robust Systems)

[Frank Eliassen]

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      University of Oslo, Department of Informatics

         PhD Research Fellowships in the Initiative

    Concurrent Security and Robustness for Networked Systems (ConSeRNS)

     Deadline for application: 20. April 2014

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The fellowships are for a period of up-to 4 years, with 25 % compulsory
work (such as teaching assistance).

Starting date: no later than 01.10.2014.

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o Job/ project description:

  The Department of Computer Science offers 3 PhD positions in the general
  area of  security and robustness for concurrent and distributed systems. 

  The open topics are more specifically:


  - Design and Formal Analysis of User Authentication Systems:

      This Ph.D. research project focuses on designing, formalizing, and
      formally verifying seamless and continuous user authentication
      architectures.  A holistic approach to security design is desirable,
      meaning that contextual elements can be considered part of the
      security protocol which then becomes a security ceremony. A key part
      of the project is therefore the development of formal analysis
      methods for security ceremonies.

  -  Secure and Robust Network-based Systems (1)

        The goal is to investigate the trade-off between QoS (Quality of
        Service) on one hand, and security and robustness on the other,
        when designing and configuring IT systems. Self-protection is part
        of the design approach, whereby a countermeasure is automatically
        identified and applied when an attack or threat is discovered. The
        challenge is to make optimal decisions with regard to balancing
        the need to offer services of high quality (e.g. performance) and
        the need to protect against attacks.

  -  Secure and Robust Network-based Systems (2)


      The goal is to address the problem of how IT systems during runtime
      can assess, detect, react and adapt to current security threats,
      vulnerabilities and attacks in order to achieve a certain level of
      security threat immunity. Elements to be considered as part of this
      PhD project is the development of models for dynamic risk, the
      design of redundant security architectures, and the application of
      formal methods for security design verification.



  Applicants must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in the area of
  computer science with an emphasis on one or more of
  formal methods, theoretical computer science, distributed systems, 
  and information security.

o Further info about the application procedure, contact, salary etc under 
 the institute's announcements for the 3 positions:

    - http://uio.easycruit.com/vacancy/1149293
    - http://uio.easycruit.com/vacancy/1149275
    - http://uio.easycruit.com/vacancy/1149285

   (see also 
         http://www.mn.uio.no/ifi/english/research/projects/conserns/news/news-phdposition.html, 

     for an overview, including 2 additional ConSeRNS-positions 

o Institutional framework

 The positions are part of the ConSeRNS initiative (Concurrent Security
 and Robustness for Networked Systems) at the University of Oslo. The
 initiative targets essential research challenges in security and
 robustness of ICT infrastructures.  ConSeRNS is part of a national Center
 for Resilient Networks and Applications (CRNA), which spans Simula
 Research Laboratory, the University of Bergen as well as the University
 of Oslo.

 The Ph.D positions are associated to the University of Oslo, Department
 of Computer Science, by the research groups :

    - Precise Modelling and Analysis :    http://www.mn.uio.no/ifi/english/research/groups/pma/
    - Networked and Distributed Systems:  http://www.mn.uio.no/ifi/english/research/groups/nd/






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