Faculty of Technology, Art and Design, Department of Computer Science

Oslo Metropolitan University is Norway's third largest university with almost 22,000 students and over 2,500 employees. We have campuses in central Oslo and at Romerike. OsloMet educates students and conducts research that contributes to the sustainability of the Norwegian welfare state and the metropolitan region.

Weaponization of AI and machine learning as attacker and defender in network security

The Faculty of Technology, Art and Design (TKD) offers higher education and research and development (R&D) activities within technical subjects, arts and design. The Faculty has approximately 3.000 students and 280 staff members and is situated at Pilestredet Campus in downtown Oslo and at Kjeller Campus in Viken.

The Department of Computer Science offers three bachelor’s degree programmes, a master’s degree programme, and is part of a cross-departmental PhD program. Academic staff at the department are pursuing research in a wide range of areas including computer science, the natural sciences, and innovation and management. Both students and researchers are also involved in an increasing number of interdisciplinary initiatives across the university.

The department of Computer Science has approximately 70 staff members and 800 students.

There are currently several research groups at the Department. 

A temporary Postdoctoral Researcher position in the field of ‘Machine Learning and Security is offered for the period of 6 months in the Department of Computer Science at Oslo Metropolitan University.

The position will be part of OsloMet Artificial Intelligence Lab (AI Lab), which is a joint research centre for OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University and SimulaMet. It administers research and innovation projects in artificial intelligence, both applied and basic research, including theory and the use of machine learning in different areas. 

The project addresses the potential of AI in launching and defending against cyberattacks. In the future, many of the reconnaissance tools for vulnerabilities and cyber intelligence tools will be based on AI.

The main duty of the candidate is to investigate the potential of advanced deep learning methods in conducting attacks and also in the defense side. The war of algorithms is a new field of research where it is envisioned that cyber attacks will be launched by AI and defended by counterpart AI algorithms.

Tasks and responsibilities 

We aim at building a strategic, long-term project for the exploration of enhanced network security attack and defense tools that weaponize AI and machine learning. We foresee that AI-enhanced tools for vulnerability scanning and detection will be used both by defenders and by attackers of networks. Learning algorithms along with generators for low-intensity attacks and scanning activities can learn and reinforce successful attack vectors, tactics and observations. AI-enhanced intelligence activity can possibly gather from external observation positions detailed information about firewall rulesets, intrusion detection capabilities and possibly about human factors, ranging from most successful phishing maneuvers up to profiling individual system administrator response capabilities against attacks.

We invite an applicant fond of AI and machine learning, and knowledgeable in networking and network security topics to join our team for a 6-month collaboration with possible extension with the following agenda:

  • Identify the state of knowledge and potential for research
  • Develop a research roadmap for the above topics
  • Initial experimentation and pre-studies with AI and attack/defense tools like Kitsune IDS
  • Develop in cooperation with OsloMET researchers a proposal for a multi-year research project to national funding authorities that will fund a multi-year position for the candidate
  • Prepare a publication with OsloMET researchers

We look for a recently graduated – or very soon to graduate - holder of a PhD in computer science, computer engineering, computer security, data science or related disciplines whose knowledge profile fits the research area.

The successful candidate will implement the following tasks:

 
Task: Research roadmap and state of the art survey
Deliverable: Survey & roadmap article with reference database
Month:  3

Task:  Small-scale experimentation with AI attack/defense tools
Deliverable:  Demonstrate experiments
Month:  5

Task:  Contribution to proposal for a long-time research project
Deliverable:  Work package or research specification including target, method and research environment
Month:  6

Task:  Co-authored a publication with OsloMET
Deliverable:  Contribution to a co-authored research article based on survey/roadmap/experiments/proposal, submitted for publication review in a chosen scientific publication medium listed at least on level 1 in the Norwegian classification database NSD.
Month:  6
 

Qualifications requirements: 

  • PhD student or PhD degree in Computer Science or Engineering related subjects with experience in one or more of the following:
    • Machine learning/deep learning
    • Deep Graph Neural Networks
    • Deep reinforced learning
    • Active Learning
    • Cyber intelligence
    • Cyber security, phishing prevention, network security, or intrusion detection
  • Ability to conduct independent research
  • Proficiency in oral and written English is required

When evaluating the applications, we will emphasize:

Emphasis is also placed on the following skills, competence and experience: 

  • Good communications and cooperation skills
  • Personal skills relevant for a good working environment
  • The applicant's topical profile evaluated against the topic of the project

It is important for OsloMet to reflect the population of our region, and all qualified candidates are welcome to apply. We make active endeavours to further develop OsloMet as an inclusive workplace and to adapt the workplace if required. If there are periods where you have not been in work, under education or in training, you are also welcome to apply. 

How to apply

Please upload the following documents together with your application before the final date for application:

  • CV (including the name and contact information of at least three references)
  • Full list of publications
  • Copies of certificates/diplomas
  • Full texts of the five most relevant publications
  • A copy or summary of your PhD thesis
  • Other relevant documentation

You must upload all the documents in order for your application to be processed. The documents must be in either English or a Scandinavian language. Translations must be authorized. Originals must be presented if you are invited for an interview. OsloMet checks documents in order to give you as a candidate a proper evaluation and ensure fair competition.

If you have documents that cannot be uploaded electronically, please contact HRTKD@oslomet.no

We offer 

  • An exciting job opportunity at Norway’s third largest and most urban university
  • Participation in a dynamic professional environment and unique academic community
  • The opportunity to be part of the development of a young and ambitious university with an entrepreneurial culture
  • Academic development as part of a group of committed colleagues.
  • Opportunities for academic development in a professional research environment

The position is remunerated in accordance with the job code 1109 Researcher, Norwegian State salary scale 60-74, NOK 535 200– 694 400 per year, or with the job code 1108 Researcher, Norwegian State salary scale 51-66, NOK 458 900 – 597 000 per year. A higher salary may be considered for particularly well-qualified applicants.

Other information

For more information about the position, feel free to contact:

  • Professor Anis Yazidi, email:  anis.yazidi@oslomet.no
  • Professor Lothar Fritsch, email: lotharfr@oslomet.no

If you wish to apply for the position, please do so via our application portal.

Type of employment Temporary position (shorter than 10 days)
Contract type Full time
First day of employment Etter avtale
Salary NOK 458 900 - 694 400
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Oslo
County Oslo
Country Norway
Reference number 21/05452
Contact
  • Anis Yazidi, 46744088
Published 02.Jun.2021
Last application date 15.Jun.2021 11:59 PM CEST

Return to job vacancies