Postdoctoral Researcher in Developing Large Language Models for Cyber Security Problems

The Department of Software Science invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position in Developing Large Language Models for Cyber Security Problems. The position is formed under the framework of EXAI – the Estonian Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence.

The goals of the position are to:

• conduct research on machine learning in the context of cyber security;
• disseminate research results in top-tier conferences and journals;
• help to supervise graduate students in the Centre for Digital Forensics and Cyber Security and have the opportunity to contribute to teaching.

CONTEXT:

Large language models (LLMs) using generative methods have marked another milestone in the development of AI, demonstrating outstanding performance across a variety of text-based tasks. The initial applications of these methods in cyber security have addressed problems such as conducting security reviews of software or identifying anomalies in security logs. The application of LLMs in this domain is still in the infancy stage. Other areas, such as security incident handling, vulnerability assessment, security testing, threat analysis and cyber threat intelligence, may greatly benefit from LLMs by increasing automation in the corresponding security processes.

It is a significant challenge to leverage LLMs to extract more structured representations from the raw security data (e.g., network traffic, OS and application logs) and enrich it by correlating with other text-based security resources for advanced security analysis tasks. LLMs can also be utilised to optimise the performance of existing security tools. They can be instrumental not only in analysis tasks but also in recommending possible courses of action.

Training domain-specific models, fine-tuning the general-purposed models or applying various optimisation techniques during the model inference phase (e.g., prompting, augmented retrieval) would be some general strategies to fulfil the purpose.

The main expectation from this post-doc position is to play a significant role in advancing the research centre's capabilities around applying the LLMs to cyber security problems. Conducting innovative research activities and proposal preparations for securing funds constitute the primary responsibilities of this position. We seek a candidate who excels in cooperating with an interdisciplinary team of cyber security experts, computer scientists and industrial partners.

Contact person: Rain Ottis rain.ottis@taltech.ee.

PhD in Computer Science or a closely related field.

• Has published work in one or more of the following fields: machine learning, cyber security, network monitoring.
• Is motivated to perform interdisciplinary research across the boundaries of the above three sub-disciplines.
• Teaching experience at university level is a plus.

To apply for the position, please send the following documents in English by 15 August 2024 at the latest by clicking the application link "Apply Now":

• a motivation letter; 
• documents proving that the candidate holds the required academic degree for the position applied; 
• a CV, including a list of publications;
• an academic portfolio, including a motivated self-evaluation regarding compliance with the requirements for the researcher position set out in the Academic Career Management Regulation, Annex 3 “Academic Evaluation Matrix” (shall be submitted by a university staff member only) or a free format evaluation of the academic activity undertaken so far and the competencies required for work (shall be submitted by an external candidate only) detailing how the candidate meets the qualifications of the position; 
• other documents considered important by the candidate.

Regarding further information on the application documents and recruitment process please contact TalTech HR konkurss@taltech.ee.

Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) is the flagship in engineering and IT science and education in Estonia, providing higher education at all levels in engineering and technology, information technology, economics, science, and maritime. TalTech’s mission is to be a promoter of science, technology, and innovation and a leading provider of engineering and economic education in Estonia. The university has over 2000 employees and over 10 000 students, and approximately 70 000 alumni.

The Centre for Digital Forensics and Cyber Security is a research group in the Department of Software Science. It is primarily responsible for the cyber security research field in TalTech, covering topics like cryptography, network security and digital forensics.

TalTech has a green and one of the most compact university campuses in Europe that includes the Tehnopol Tallinn Science Park. Low hierarchy, academic freedom and a balanced work and family life are valued at TalTech. The university provides individual development and training opportunities, material and non-material tokens of acknowledgement, sporting opportunities at TalTech Sports Club and all-staff activities.