Research Associate / Senior RA / Research Fellow in Security Assessment and Threat Intelligence in Large-Scale Testbed Infrastructure

The role

The Smart Internet Lab is looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic researcher, with a passion for security assessment in large-scale experimental testbed infrastructure for future telecom research. Research topics include AI/ML for intelligent security assessment, threat intelligent, vulnerability assessment, intrusion and anomaly detection, and mitigation.

The research will leverage cutting-edge novel solutions including AI/ML through large-scale testbed experimentation. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research in intelligent security assessment and threat intelligence for future large-scale telecom research testbed infrastructures.

What will you be doing?

You will work with the JOINER project and focus on the security of large-scale testbed for telecom research with particular emphasis on automated, intelligent, and dynamic security assessment, and threat intelligence. You will also carry out experimental/proof-of-concept implementation work to demonstrate the applicability of your research. Your main research responsibilities may include:

• Design and develop AI/ML models for real-time threat intelligence and anomaly detection in large-scale testbed infrastructures.
• Design and develop dynamic security assessment models for environments spanning on-premise, bare metal, and public cloud platforms.
• Integrate AI/ML solutions with existing security tools (e.g., Qualys, Splunk, PRTG) to enhance security and vulnerability assessments, threat detection, incident reporting, and behavioural analysis.
• Conduct system-level security assessments using monitoring data from individual slices within the JOINER infrastructure.
• Evaluate the performance of developed solutions against benchmark decisions from existing tools.
• Extend the developed solutions to federated multi-slice environments for threat intelligence sharing.
• Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present at leading conferences.

You should apply if

• Strong background in AI/ML techniques, including deep learning, anomaly detection, and predictive modelling.
• Experience in cybersecurity, including vulnerability assessment, threat detection, and incident response.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++, and experience with AI/ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, FLOWER).
• Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and on-premise cloud platform such as VMWARE, and heterogeneous infrastructure environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

Additional information

For informal queries please contact:

Rasheed Hussain <rasheed.hussain@bristol.ac.uk>

To find out more about what it's like to work in the Faculty of Engineering, and how the Faculty supports people to achieve their potential, please see our staff blog:

https://engineering.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/category/engineering-includes-me/

Contract type: Fixed term until 31/03/2026

Work pattern: Full time

Grade: I / J / K

Salary:

Grade I £38,249 - £44,128 per annum;

Grade J £42,882 - £48,149 per annum;

Grade K £49,559 - £55,755 per annum

School/Unit: School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering (EEME)

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 13th May 2025

Interviews are expected to take place on the 28th May 2025.

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