Research Fellow in Cloud and SAAS Security

JOB PURPOSE:

• To play a key role within QUB’s strategic Centre for Secure Information Technology (CSIT) researching emerging Cloud and Software
• As A Service (SAAS) related security challenges. To undertake research, design and research-support activities in Cloud, SAAS and
• OpenStack security. To actively research cloud computing related emerging security threats. To research and develop new methods for the detection, prevention and mitigation of malicious software/attacks, service abuse, malicious VMs by trusted users from inside and outside a cloud infrastructure. To investigate security related vulnerabilities surrounding cloud virtualisation technologies.

MAJOR DUTIES:

• Investigate security threats to data centres and cloud computing infrastructures.
• Investigate new methods for the detection, prevention and mitigation of malicious attacks by trusted users from inside or outside a cloud infrastructure.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a test-lab for cloud security.
• Develop, prototype and demonstrate new SAAS security technologies.
• Plan, design and develop demonstration systems built from components and resources provided by our industrial partners and internal research teams, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of prototype tools for monitoring/policing of services and against cyber-attacks.
• Present regular progress reports on research to members of the research group or to external audiences to disseminate and publicise research findings.
• Prepare, in consultation with supervisor, material for publication in national and international journals and presentations at international conferences.
• Assist grant holder in the preparation of funding proposals and applications to external bodies.
• Carry out routine administrative tasks associated with the research project/s to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. Carry out occasional undergraduate project supervision within the post holder’s area of expertise and under the direct guidance of a member of academic staff. 1 Any other duties that may reasonably be requested by the programme supervisor.

Planning and Organising:

• Plan for specific aspects of research programmes. Timescales range from 1-6 months in advance and contribute to research group planning.
• Plan for the use of research resources, laboratories and workshops where appropriate.
• Plan own day-to day activity within framework of the agreed research programme.
• Plan up to a year in advance to meet deadlines for journal publications and to prepare presentations and papers for conferences.
• Coordinate and liaise with the Engineering Manager and other members of the research group over work progress.

Resource Management Responsibilities:

• Ensure research resources are used in an effective and efficient manner.
• Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with research.

Internal and External Relationships:

• Actively engage in regular meetings with European research programme partners, in order to discuss and define project specifications, and assure project deliverable deadlines are met.
• Liaise on a regular basis with colleagues and students.
• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.
• Collaborate with staff in industry, other universities and other research institutes nationally and internationally as appropriate.
• Contribute to the School’s outreach programme by establishing links with local community groups, industries etc.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Have, or be about to obtain, a relevant PhD.
• 2:1 Honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering/Computer Science/Mathematics (or related discipline) Well developed software development skills at the systems level (preferably in C/C++/Python).
• At least 3 years relevant academic or industrial research/development experience, to include either:

- Cloud computing platforms and cloud services.
- Operating systems and virtualisation technologies.
- Cloud, SAAS and network security

• Ability to contribute to broader management and administrative processes. Contribute to the School’s outreach programme by links with industry, community groups etc
• Sufficient breadth and depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programmes.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Ability to build contacts and participate in internal and external networks.
• Demonstrable intellectual ability.
• Ability to assess and organise resources.
• Able to visit collaborative partners and to attend meetings and conferences nationally and internationally as requested.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Commercial software development experience.
• Multiplatform development experience covering Windows, Linux, and open source environments.
• Academic research experience in malware, network security.
• Experience of preparing research funding proposals.
• Experience of networking equipment, network security architectures, and tools such as Snort, Bro, OSSEC, Netfilter, etc.
• Experience of collaborative research or working in a team is desirable.