Open Position. Research Assistant

UC3M Computer Security (COSEC) group is delighted to announce an open position for a Research Assistant. We are seeking for high-motivated candidates to research on security and privacy threats posed by modern technologies, with special focus on vulnerable groups, like children, seniors, or gender abuse victims. The position is funded by the CYNAMON project, preferably starting in December 2021. The candidate will work under the supervision of Sergio Pastrana, and is expected to:

  • Study current research on security and privacy risks posed by modern technologies on the society, like smart home assistants, baby-monitoring equipment or parental control apps.
  • Analyse existing threats to vulnerable groups (e.g., children, seniors or victims of gender-based domestic violence), and how technologies have accentuated these.
  • Design and implement tools to conduct medium and large scale analyses of usage of these technologies in the wild, with special focus on privacy invasive practices and bad security mechanism, and how these are abused by miscreants.
  • Write up documents and technical reports on the findings.
  • Deliver presentations on international venues.
We offer a ten months contract (approximately 1.500€ gross per month). The group also provides registration and travel expenses to attend academic conferences in the area.

Eligibility. Interested candidates must hold a BsC program in the areas of computer science, or telecommunications. Postgraduates studies (holding MsC studies or currently enrolling in one program) are desirable. Candidates must be fluent in English, both writing and speaking. Desired technical knowledge include good programming skills in languages such as Python, C/C++ or Java, solid knowledge of web technologies (JavaScript and HTML) and basic understanding on Android. Interests in other aspects of security and privacy, as well as general thoughtfulness on human rights are highly valuable. The candidate should be ready to join UC3M as soon as possible, and no later than February 2022.

How to apply Applications are managed through Comunidad de Madrid (link, in Spanish. If you need help understanding the process, contact me directly by email).
For further enquiries about the position, please contact Sergio Pastrana.