Assistant Professor in Cyber Security

Do you like solving challenges in cyber security? Do you want to become part of a growing team of cybersecurity researchers at the University of Amsterdam whose research contributes to securing our digital world? The Theory of Computer Science (TCS) and Complex Cyber Infrastructure (CCI) research groups of the Informatics Institute are looking for a new assistant professor in cyber security. You will be able to hire a PhD student as part of the startup-package.

What are you going to do?

You will conduct research in the “Challenges in Cyber Security” project, one of the few projects receiving funding in the prestigious NWO Gravitation program. In cooperation with researchers from TU Eindhoven, Radboud University, VU Amsterdam, and CWI, you will work on the grand challenges of cybersecurity in areas such as cryptography, software security, or physical security. Besides cutting-edge research, you will also contribute to education – for example, in the top-rated Security and Network Engineering MSc program – and other activities, including acquisition and management of funded research projects, supervision of PhD students, and supervision of BSc/MSc graduation projects.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• conducting independent research in cyber security, resulting in academic publications in peer-reviewed, renowned international journals and conferences;
• actively pursuing external funding for research, notably funding from NWO (e.g., Veni), EU (e.g., ERC starting grant), or industry;
• contributing to the broad goals of the NWO gravitational project Challenges in Cyber Security, carrying out research, administrative and reporting tasks related to the project;
• fostering collaboration within the Informatics Institute, as well as with other partners on both national and international level;
• developing, coordinating and teaching courses in the bachelor and master programmes;
• supervising Bachelor and Master theses and tutoring students; co-supervising PhD theses;
• taking part in committees and working groups and carrying out outreach and departmental administrative tasks as directed.

What do you have to offer?

Your experience and profile:

• PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related field;
• a motivational lecturer with a passion for teaching;
• committed researcher, demonstrated by publications in relevant international top-tier conferences or journals;
• professional command of English and the willingness to learn Dutch;
• possession of the University Teaching Qualification, or the willingness to obtain it within two years after the start of the employment.

In addition, we highly value (but do not require) the following:

• experience in acquiring funding for research projects through government agencies or the private sector;
• experience in managing funded research projects;
• experience in supervising PhD research;
• high standing in the scientific community, as evidenced by, for example, membership in the program committee of prestigious international conferences;
• international network of relevant research cooperations;
• experience in supporting tasks and the willingness to take the responsibility for administrative tasks, such as organisation and coordination of university education and research.

Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 18 months with a probationary period of two months. The preferred starting date is as soon as possible. A permanent contract follows if we assess your performance positive.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 4,492 to € 6,148 (scale 11). UvA additionally offers an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UFO profile UD2 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park, we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• Multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• Multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• Multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• Partly paid parental leave;
• The possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• A pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• The possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• Help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

About us

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 42,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science (FNWI) has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The mission of the Informatics Institute (IvI) is to perform curiosity-driven and use-inspired fundamental research in Computer Science. The main research themes are Artificial Intelligence, Computational Science and Systems and Network Engineering. Our research involves complex information systems at large, with a focus on collaborative, data driven, computational and intelligent systems, all with a strong interactive component.

The Theory of Computer Science (TCS) Group does research on the theoretical foundations of computer science. The aim is to seek greater understanding of fundamental computational techniques and their inherent limitations. The TCS group forms an integral part of a vibrant community of TCS researchers in Amsterdam.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Christian Schaffner, Professor Theoretical Computer Science
• E: c.schaffner@uva.nl
• T: +31 6 435 456 89

Job application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. Application review will start the 1st of November 2024, and will stay open until a suitable candidate has been found, even if this is prior to the final date of the application window. For full consideration apply on or before 1 November 2024.

Applications should include the following information (all files including your CV should be submitted in one single pdf file):

• a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience – you may also indicate absences or unusual periods that may have impacted your output, such as parental or other leave;
• a letter of motivation, explaining why you are the right fit for the position;
• a link to an updated publication list (one of arXiv, ORCID, DBLP, Google Scholar, or personal homepage is fine);
• open-access links to your three most important publications, with concise motivation (max 80 words each);
• a research plan for the next few years, including ideas on acquiring funding (1-2 pages);
• a teaching statement, explaining your previous educational activities and plans how to contribute to the UvA curriculum in cyber security, for example in the Master Security and Network Engineering. (0.5 – 1 page)
• the names and email addresses of two senior researchers who can provide letters of recommendation – letter will only be requested from the referees of short-listed candidates.

Please make sure to provide ALL requested documents mentioned above.

You can use the CV field to upload your resume as a separate pdf document. Use the Cover Letter field to upload the other requested documents, including the motivation letter, as one single pdf file.

A knowledge security check may be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: National knowledge security guidelines).

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered. Please don’t send any applications by email.

We will invite potential candidates for interviews soon after the expiration of the vacancy.