Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security

Job Summary

The position of Lecturer/Senior Lecturer is responsible for undertaking research; teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level including course coordination; research higher degree student supervision; and professional activities in the field of Cyber Security with a focus on cyber security automation. We welcome applications from computer scientists with expertise in cyber security autonomy and automation, covering areas including but not limited to security automation and orchestration, incident response, exploit generation, reverse engineering, symbolic execution, program testing, fuzzing, vulnerability detection and mitigation, and security information and event management. Experts with experience and interest in applying machine learning and AI planning to cyber security are also welcome to apply.

Experience or an interest in engineering or standardizing industry-grade cyber security solutions will be highly regarded. We seek to appoint a scientist with interest and experience in systems thinking and well versed in vulnerability discovery and exploitation technologies. The appointee will contribute to the University’s new cyber security initiative, with research work expected to be focused on the intersection of incidence response, software engineering data science and cyber security. This appointee also serves as an interface with all participating schools in the UQ cyber security initiative, and AusCERT – a leading Cyber Emergency Response Team for Australia located in UQ (https://www.auscert.org.au), and the Data and Knowledge Engineering Group. The collaboration with AusCERT provides access to cyber security expertise and a treasure-trove of anonymised network security data, opportunities to evaluate research outcomes in operational enterprise networks, and access to member organisations on the front-line of contemporary cyber security issues.

Duties

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to
Teaching and Learning

• Coordinate courses, prepare and deliver lectures, and tutorials, and undertake assessment and marking for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
• Initiate the development of new course material in the areas of vulnerability assessment, penetration testing and secure program development, applying research and scholarship. Participate in educational practice and innovative curriculum design including online learning and alternative teaching methods. Maintain and improve the quality of courses as measured through evaluation instruments to meet industry and educational standards.
• Participate in program and course development activities in the School, including consulting with program advisors and stakeholders to ensure courses are engaging, relevant and contemporary.
• Understand and apply University Rules relevant to teaching and learning practice.
• Teach and supervise research honours and postgraduate students.
• Provide high quality service to students, including academic counselling and advice.
• Provide support to other academic positions as needed and during absences.

Research

• Develop a research program commensurate with the strategic priorities of the UQ Cyber Security Initiative.
• Conduct research and publish scholarly papers in both academic peer-reviewed and professional journals that contribute to the School’s strategic research strengths.
• Develop a research profile of international standing that is funded by external granting agencies.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and postgraduates in the development and conduct of joint research projects, especially projects that are interdisciplinary and contribute to the strategic direction of the School.

Service and Engagement

• Create, foster and enhance national and international links with relevant industry, government departments, universities, professional bodies and the wider community to assist the advancement of University, Faculty and School strategic objectives.
• Perform a range of administrative functions in the School.
• Contribute to the processes that enable the academic team to manage the work of the School, including participate in School decision-making and serve on School committees
• Any other duties as reasonably directed by your supervisor.

For Appointment at Level C

All of the duties listed above in addition to:

• Participate in events to attract postgraduate students to the UQ Cyber Security Initiative,
• Provide leadership within the UQ Cyber Security Initiative in research training and supervision,
• Have an active and effective record of principal supervision of research higher degree students.
• Perform a range of higher level internal duties and provide strong contribution to activities relevant to the UQ Cyber Security Initiative and the external community – including industry

Other
Ensure you are aware of and comply with legislation and University policy relevant to the duties undertaken, including but not exclusive to:

• The University’s Code of Conduct
• Requirements of the Queensland occupational health and safety (OH&S) legislation and related OH&S responsibilities and procedures developed by the University or Institute/School
• The adoption of sustainable practices in all work activities and compliance with associated legislation and related University sustainability responsibilities and procedures
• Requirements of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000, the National Code 2007 and associated legislation, and related responsibilities and procedures developed by the University

Organisational Relationships
The position reports to the Chair and Director of UQ Cyber Security, Professor Ryan Ko.

Selection Criteria

• PhD in the area of computer science, cyber security and/or mathematics.
• Demonstrated expert knowledge in cyber security autonomy and security automation, covering areas including but not limited to exploit generation, reverse engineering, symbolic execution, program testing, fuzzing, vulnerability detection and mitigation, security information and event management. Experts with experience and interest in applying machine learning and AI planning to cyber security are also welcome to apply.
• A track record of original thinking and fresh approaches to cyber security research, as evidenced by publications in CORE A* conferences and top journals.
• Demonstrated teaching skills at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
• An ability to establish effect relationships and to represent and promote academic discipline at a university and wider community level, including industry, government and professional bodies.
• Evidence of research translation, including successful external grant applications.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in the development and conduct of joint research projects, especially projects that are interdisciplinary and contribute to the strategic direction of the School and the Cyber Security Initiative.
• Experience in bug bounty programmes or responsible disclosures.
• Ability to obtain high security clearance for government contract work.

For Appointment at Level C:

All of the criteria listed above, as well as the following:

• National recognition in the area of expertise and a very strong record of publications in high level refereed journals and top-ranked computer science conferences.
• Track record of supervision of Honours and Research Higher Degree students to successful completion,
• Ability to successfully lead a research team to deliver outputs to industry.

Seminar
Applicants invited for interview may be expected to present a seminar in conjunction with the selection interview process.

Qualification Verification
An appointment to this position is subject to the verification of the highest academic qualification from the conferring institution