Research Project Employee with Diploma/Master (PhD Position)

1 Research Project Employee with Diploma/Master (PhD Position) in the new Christian Doppler Laboratory "Management of externally induced risks in critical infrastructures" with a workload of 40 hours per week (initially temporary, with the option for extension)

Organizational Unit: LIT Secure and Correct Systems Lab

Start Date: 03.11.2026

Fixed-term from: 03.11.2026

Fixed-term until: 02.11.2028

Reference Number: 151050-2026-002051

This project develops practical methods for Quantified Security in the context of critical infrastructures. We use modern AI to generate attack graphs, and methods of optimization and game theory to generate explainable, optimal, and practically usable security assessments regarding countermeasures and risk. The goal is to assess security in an explainable and evidence-based manner, with regard to legal regulations such as NIS2, DORA, or similar.

Your Tasks: º Scientific work with the goal of writing a dissertation º Deepening and completing already existing evidence bases º Application of selected tools and methods for risk management and security analyses in pilot environments, as well as their verification and validation º Construction and analysis of attack graphs from collected (structured and unstructured) data, use and adaptation of algorithms to perform simulations and security optimizations º Integration of project results into the processes of industry partners (ASFINAG, evon, Dynatrace, and Sparkasse Oberösterreich), the identification of new research questions based on practical feedback, and participation in the scientific exploitation of the results and their use in the environments of the project partners

Your Profile: º A completed Master's degree (or equivalent) in Informatik, Wirtschaftsinformatik, Mathematik, or Elektronik und Informationstechnologie with a focus on software development º A sound background in Cybersicherheit, Sicherheitsrisikomanagement, formal methods/verification, game-theoretic security analysis, as well as methods of artificial intelligence. Familiarity with standards such as ISO31000 or MITRE ATT&CK is advantageous º Programming skills: (for example, but not limited to) Rust, C, Java, etc. Knowledge of Python is welcome, but not sufficient on its own. Experience with virtualized environments and version control systems (git) is advantageous º It is expected that you present results at international conferences º Very good language skills in English (at least C1 level); German skills (B2 or higher) are an advantage

Our Offer: º Based on full-time employment (40 hours per week), the minimum monthly salary is € 3,776.10 gross (14 x per year, KV classification B1) º Work in a consortium consisting of two universities (Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, Montanuniversität Leoben), as well as industry partners (Dynatrace, ASFiNAG, evon Automatisierung, Sparkasse Oberösterreich) º Attractive campus with good transport connections º Modern research infrastructure º Wide culinary range/Healthy food (Bio Mensa) º Sport and exercise (USI) º and much more

Application Deadline: 31.08.2026

In the spirit of the women's promotion plan of the JKU Linz, women are particularly encouraged to apply; they will be given priority if qualifications are equal. People with disabilities who belong to the "circle of beneficiaries with disabilities" will be given special consideration if they are appropriately qualified.

Space for your future? We look forward to your application via our job portal. For technical inquiries, Univ.-Prof. Dr. Stefan Rass, E-Mail: stefan.rass@jku.at or Univ.-Prof. Dr. Robert Galler, E-Mail: robert.galler@unileoben.ac.at are available. Location: Altenberger Straße 69, 4040 Linz

APPLY The minimum remuneration for the position as Research Project Em...