Professor in Networks & Cybersecurity at Maastricht University

Job description

Are you curious to understand when bugs turn into exploitable vulnerabilities, and how we can reliably predict which parts of the code are the most sensitive to privilege escalation – and how deep learning based vulnerability prediction can best help both coders and security analysts? Eager to see whether we are indeed protecting the data and systems we should care about most, such as medical records, real-time control systems, or the ever-more-pervasive smart-home systems, and to further our understanding on the balance between controls and functionality involved? And the other way round: see what threats these ‘smart systems‘ themselves pose to their environment? Are you curious to develop secure network solutions for large-scale ICT infrastructures, Digital Twining, Smart Cities and Smart Industry? 

If you see yourself leading and advancing research in any of these areas – or you have other interesting cybersecurity related topics to bring to the table – you should consider joining our Department of Advanced Computing Sciences (DACS) as a Full Professor in Cybersecurity. DACS is an international community of ~100 researchers at various stages of their career, embedded in the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE). Our department has more than 35 years’ experience with research and teaching in the fields of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Applied Mathematics. 

What are you going to do?

To strengthen our research and educational initiatives on networks & cybersecurity, we are looking for a leading scientist with expertise in areas like: computer and network security, cyber-physical systems security, security for the cloud, and emerging threats in cybersecurity. 

Our research activities span the entire spectrum from curiosity-driven research to responsible societal applications, often taking on an interdisciplinary character. Contributions to areas such as multi-agent systems, (medical) signal and image processing, FAIR principles, game theory, intelligent search techniques and affective computing are internationally recognized. What makes our research so interesting is that DACS maintains an industry network with over 80 private collaborators ranging from local SMEs to large multinationals. The department designs and develops data-driven solutions for a wide variety of business applications in sectors including transport and logistics, healthcare, and production and manufacturing. This why you can contribute to science and our society of tomorrow! 

In addition to your research, you will contribute to our top-rated education. Our department offers two bachelor’s program and two master programs, all of which are nationally ranked among the top of their kind and involve Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. In September 2023, we launched a new bachelor in Computer Science. You will have an important voice in developing our education programs. 

Requirements

Who are you?

We seek a colleague who is passionate about research, enjoys teaching and who has strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. You feel at home in a strongly international and diverse community like ours. Furthermore, we are looking to welcome someone who fosters collaboration at all levels. 

Our ideal candidate has:

• A PhD degree in Computer Security or a strongly related field;
• Experience in mentoring and growing a team of junior researchers;
• Graduated several PhD students in the field of Cybersecurity;
• A strong and consistent track record in research and teaching;
• Proven track record in funding acquisition at national and European level;
• Has a strong track record in team science. 

What we offer

As Professor in Networks & Cybersecurity at the Faculty of Science & Engineering, you will be employed by the most international university in the Netherlands, located in the beautiful city of Maastricht. In addition, we offer you: 

• Good employment conditions. The position is graded according to UFO profile Professor 2, with corresponding salary based on experience ranging from €6894,00 and €10038,00 gross per month (based on a full-time employment of 38 hours per week). In addition to the monthly salary, an 8.0% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus apply.
• An employment contract for a period of 18 months with a scope of 1,0 FTE. Upon proven suitability, the employment contract will be converted to an indefinite contract.
• At Maastricht University, the well-being of our employees is of utmost importance, we offer flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home if the nature of your position allows it. You will receive a monthly commuting and internet allowance for this. If you work full-time, you will be entitled to 29 vacation days and 4 additional public holidays per year, namely carnival Monday, carnival Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day. If you choose to accumulate compensation hours, an additional 12 days will be added. Furthermore, you can personalize your employment conditions through a collective labor agreement (CAO) choice model.
• As Maastricht University, we offer various other excellent secondary employment conditions. These include a good pension scheme with the ABP and the opportunity for UM employees to participate in company fitness and make use of the extensive sports facilities that we also offer to our students.
• Applicants from outside The Netherlands may be eligible for the so-called 30% ruling, a tax cut for highly skilled migrants that applies for a maximum of five years. If you are moving to Maastricht from more than 40 kilometers away, you may qualify for a one-time reimbursement of your relocation costs.
• Last but certainly not least, we provide the space and facilities for your personal and professional development. We facilitate this by offering a wide range of training programs and supporting various well-established initiatives such as ‘acknowledge and appreciate’. 

The terms of employment at Maastricht University are largely set out in the collective labor agreement of Dutch Universities. In addition, local provisions specific to UM apply. For more information, click here. 

Maastricht University

Why work at Maastricht University? 

At Maastricht University (UM), everything revolves around the future. The future of our students, as we work to equip them with a solid, broad-based foundation for the rest of their lives. And the future of society, as we seek solutions through our research to issues from all around the world. Our six faculties combined provide a comprehensive package of study programmes and research. 

In our teaching, we use the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method. Students work in small groups, looking for solutions to problems themselves. By discussing issues and working together to draw conclusions, formulate answers and present them to their peers, students develop essential skills for their future careers. 

With over 22,300 students and more than 5,000 employees from all over the world, UM is home to a vibrant and inspiring international community. 

Are you drawn to an international setting focused on education, science and scholarship? Are you keen to contribute however your skills and qualities allow? Our door is open to you! As a young European university, we value your talent and look forward to creating the future together. 

Click here for more information about UM. 

Faculty of Science and Engineering

At the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE), we focus on themes such as circularity and sustainability, future farming, digitisation and (scientific) instrument development.  FSE’s leading projects, like the Einstein Telescope Pathfinder, are sure to grab anyone’s attention.  The faculty is a vibrant hub of education and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).  At FSE, over 450 staff members and 3700 students gather to explore e exciting interdisciplinary research and educational programmes. Feel welcome, be part of our team and put your brilliant mind to work!  

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/fse 

FSE at the Brightlands Campuses 

Maastricht, Sittard-Geleen, Heerlen, and Venlo, the home of four creative Brightlands campuses, are bustling with 30,000 entrepreneurs, researchers, and students working diligently to solve global challenges. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is active on all four Brightlands campuses, and this is where our impact reaches its peak. To give you an idea of what is happening at each campus: Sittard-Geleen is home to the largest chemical site in the Euregion, while Venlo is a large hub for agri-food innovation. Maastricht is the site of the Health Campus, and Heerlen is the place to be for Smart Services.  

Department of Advanced Computing Sciences

The Department of Advanced Computing Sciences is Maastricht University’s largest and oldest department broadly covering the fields of artificial intelligence, data science, computer science, mathematics and robotics. 

Over 100 researchers work and study in the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences, whose roots trace back to 1987. The department’s staff teaches approximately 1250 bachelor’s and master’s students in 4 specialized study programmes in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. Click here for more information. 

Curious?

Are you interested in this exciting position but still have questions? Feel free to contact Prof. Mark Winands, Professor in Machine Reasoning, Chair of Department of Advanced Computing Sciences via m.winands@maastrichtuniversity.nl for more information. 

Applying?

Or are you already convinced and ready to become our new Professor in Cybersecurity at DACS? Apply now, no later than 5 January 2025, for this position. 

Please send in the following documents:

• Research statement;
• Teaching statement;
• CV;
• List of publications;
• Contact information (names, e-mail addresses, and phone number) of two persons willing to provide references. 

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized. 

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.