PhD student in Cybersecurity

Ref IDA-2026-00054

We have the power of over 50,000 students and co-workers. Students who provide hope for the future. Co-workers who contribute to Linköping University meeting challenges of today. Our fundamental values rest on credibility, trust and security. By having the courage to think freely and innovate, our actions together, large and small, contribute to a better world. We look forward to receiving your application!

We are announcing a PhD student position in Computer Science within CUGS Research School in a joint effort with Cybercampus Sweden, formally based at the division for Cybersecurity at Department of Computer and Information Science, within Linköping University.

Your work assignments

As a PhD student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20 per cent of full-time.

The projects descriptions for the announced positions:

Automated Security Testing for Critical Infrastructure

Your qualifications

You hold a master’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or you have completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be advanced courses in core computer science. Alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way.

In addition, CUGS requires:

a solid knowledge of English, both in spoken and written form as well as understanding
experience in independent project work as well as the ability to work in a team.

For this position, it is required that you have strong programming skills and interest in software security.

Meriting qualities include:

earlier research experience, e.g., as part of Masters’ studies, and
familiarity with machine learning, formal methods or network protocols are considered as merits.

Your workplace

The Department of Computer and Information Science was founded in 1983 but its roots go back to the early 1970s. It is one of the largest computer science departments in northern Europe.

Our research covers a broad spectrum of fields, from core to applied computer sciences. Its vast scope also benefits our undergraduate and graduate programmes, and we now teach courses in several engineering programmes at bachelor’s and master’s levels, as well as the programmes in statistics, cognitive science and innovative programming.

You will be working in the Cybersecurity division where the research focuses on securing the most critical functions of digital society. Through numerous national and European projects, methods are developed for areas such as verification, intrusion detection, and AI-based cybersecurity. The research also encompasses the protection of critical infrastructure, including smart grids and secure software supply chains. At the university's cybersecurity lab, vulnerabilities in isolated systems are analyzed to pioneer new research methods and train both students and professionals.

More about cybersecurity research at LiU: https://liu.se/en/research/cybersecurity

The employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University

The employment has a duration of normally four years’ full-time equivalent. Extension of employment up to five years is based on the degree of teaching and institutional assignment. Further extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances. You will initially be employed for one year, after which your employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, depending on your progress through the study plan.

Starting date by agreement. alternativt Ange datum för tillträde.

This position may come to be a security classified position. If so, security screening including a records check will be carried out before any decision on employment is made.

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than May 4, 2026.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives - diversity enriches our work and helps us grow. Preserving everybody's equal value, rights and opportunities is a natural part of who we are. Read more about our work with: Equal opportunities.

We look forward to receiving your application!

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