PhD Position in User-Centred Security

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science invites applications for one PhD position in user-centred security. The hired candidate will be part of the section of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Programming Languages. The position is for a duration of three years.

The proposed starting date is January 2024, with room for flexibility. The appointment will be made for a term of three years at a competitive salary and will follow the PhD study programme at the Faculty of Science. Applications for a 4+4 PhD programme are also welcome which means that Master candidates about to complete their graduate studies will also be considered and should attach a statement from their supervisors regarding their impending completion.

This position is tied to the “Cybersecurity & Business Continuity in Danish production SMEs” project which investigates ways to strengthen the resilience of the supply chains of Danish SMEs to cyber threats. To that end, the goal of this project is to enable Danish SMEs to conduct proper risk analyses of their supply chains regarding cybersecurity issues and set up appropriate mitigation strategies addressing these risks.

As part of the project, the successful candidate will be expected to also work closely with collaborators from SDU’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Relationship Management as well as SDU’s Centre for War.

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science is an inclusive and international working environment with state-of-the-art facilities and strong traditions for collaboration across sections, departments and faculties, and with other educational institutions, municipalities, and industries. The degrees offered by the department include BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees in computer science, and an MSc degree in data science.

Candidate Profile
We are looking for highly motivated students interested in the user-centred aspects of cybersecurity. The successful candidate will have to conduct qualitative studies (focus groups, interviews, etc.) with different actors in the Danish cybersecurity landscape, including those that make cybersecurity policy, those that promote cybersecurity policy, and those that have to implement cybersecurity policy.

The ideal candidate has an MSc in Computer Science or Social Sciences and experience in at least one of the following areas (acquired, for example, by following courses or through work on an MSc thesis).

• Cybersecurity
• Qualitative and quantitative methods
• Supply chain security
• Design of user studies
• Usability of cyber systems.

Experience in conducting cybersecurity and/or qualitative user studies is a plus.

Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Danish is a plus.

For further information, please contact Peter Mayer at [email protected].

About the Department and the University
Based in Odense, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science offers an inclusive and international working environment with state-of-the-art facilities as well as a strong tradition for collaboration across departments and faculties, and with other educational institutions, municipalities, and industries. More than two thirds of the research staff members come from outside of Denmark.

The University of Southern Denmark was founded in 1966 and now has more than 27,000 students, almost 20% of whom are from abroad. It has more than 3,800 employees, and 115 different study programmes in the fields of the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and engineering. Its main campus is located in Odense, the third largest city in Denmark. Odense provides family-friendly living conditions with the perfect combination of a historic city centre with an urban feel and yet a close proximity to beaches and recreational areas. Its location on the beautiful island of Funen is ideal with easy access by train or highway to the bigger cities of Aarhus and Copenhagen. As the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, Denmark’s famous fairytale author, the city is home to a vibrant and creative population that hosts numerous festivals and markets throughout the year.

Application, salary etc.
Appointment as a PhD Research Fellow is for three (students who have completed their MSc) or four years (students who have not yet completed their MSc). Employment stops automatically at the end of the period. The holder of the scholarship is not allowed to have other paid employment during the three-year period.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement on salaried PhD scholars between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.

The successful candidate will be enrolled at this university in accordance with faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Application must be in English and made in the form of a Declaration of Interest including the following:
• A research proposal/description of your approach to the above project (max one page excluding references)
• A letter stating your specific interest, motivation and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages) (please attach this under box "Application form")
• Detailed CV, including personal contact information
• Copies of diplomas, Bachelor as well as Master’s degree, including transcript of notes/grades
• At least two signed reference letters. Should your referees wish to send their letters directly to us, please have them use e-mail: [email protected] mentioning your name and the title of the position in the subject line. And please note that these also need to reach us before deadline.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Further information about the PhD-study can be found at the homepage of the University.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply online". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF or Word format. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 Mb. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply before you apply.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.