PhD Studentship in Computer Science: Global Scale Digital Forensics for CyberPhysical Systems

Overview

Forensics often takes place in a local context. However, to detect attacks, protect systems, recover operations, and identify attackers in cyberphysical systems requires cooperation across a number of defenders -- the cyberphysical network and the core. Indeed ISP networks have visibility into 60-70% of network traffic however, they don't have the intelligence or the context of the local cyberphysical system in order to attribute attacks or detect stepping stones.

This prompts several big research challenges. First, invisibility -- attackers avoid detection borrowing techniques from the field of anonymous communications. Second, cooperation -- the attack information is distributed across the core and the edge, and joining the dotted lines up seems inherently hard. Third, -- Attack attribution requires extensive cooperation across networks however, it is often impeded by uncooperative intermediaries.

Specifically, this project aims to develop methods and tools to address the challenges of visibility, scale, privacy, false-positives, and cooperation.

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

September 2024

Award Duration

3.5 years

Application Closing Date

1 June 2024

Sponsor

EPSRC Doctoral Training Program

Supervisors

Prof Shishir Nagaraja, Dr Mujeeb Ahmed

Eligibility Criteria

You must have/expect to gain, minimum 2:1 MSc in a relevant field, such as Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Cyber Security. Strong programming skills, preferably Python, Matlab, or R. Experience with one or more of hardware-programming, cyber physical/electrical systems, privacy-enhancing technologies, machine learning, signal processing. Good communication skills, especially in written English. Strong work ethics. Ability to think creatively and work independently.

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.

The studentship covers fees at the Home rate (UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status and meet the residency criteria). International applicants are welcome to apply but will be required to cover the difference between Home and International fees.

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme. 

How To Apply

Apply to Newcastle Portal 

Select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.  

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:

• Search ‘Course Title’ using programme code: 8050F
• Research Area: Computing Science
• Select PhD Computer Science as programme of study 

Provide the following information in ‘Further Details’ section:

• ‘Personal Statement’ (mandatory field) - You should then provide a 200 word statement of interest in which you say why you are interested in studying for a PhD and how you believe you have the desired qualities and experiences for this research project.
• Studentship code COMP2162 in ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• When prompted regarding research proposal - select ‘Write Proposal’. You should then type in the title of the research project from this advert.

In addition, before you submit your application you will need to upload the following supporting documentation: 

• covering letter/CV
• degree transcripts/certificates, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualification if already completed. 

Contact Details

Prof Shishir Nagaraja, Dr Mujeeb Ahmed

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