Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Role and Department

The Department of Computer Science is one of the very best UK departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. Computer Science increased excellence in all areas of research since the last research assessment exercise, moving 6 places up the ranking to the 20th position for REF 2021. It is ranked 10th in the Guardian University Guide 2024, and 4th for student employability in the Complete University Guide 2026

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to join the newly established team of Professor David Oswald at Durham, working in hardware and embedded security, confidential computing, trusted execution, secure AI, and related areas. This post is suitable for candidates with a wide range backgrounds relevant to cyber security, including but not limited to embedded/hardware security, security of AI systems, (post-quantum) cryptography, quantum algorithms, confidential computing/trusted execution, or microarchitectural security.

Key responsibilities:

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator.
• To work with the Principal Investigator and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.

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