The European Centre on Privacy and Cybersecurity (ECPC), established under the Law Faculty of Maastricht University, offers executive education programmes closely intertwined with the centre’s applied research on legal issues related to personal data protection and cybersecurity. Since September 2021 ECPC offers a new Advanced Master in Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Management. This programme offers an ambitions curriculum for professionals that bridges the intersection between law, technology, ethics, governance and management; it is against this background that ECPC is expanding.

To further strengthen and complement the expertise in our team, we are looking for an outstanding assistant/associate professor in the area of cybersecurity. Possible focus areas for this position include, but are not limited to AI and cybersecurity; Information Security Management; network security; cryptography, pseudonymisation techniques, data security and data protection by design, privacy-enhancing technologies. The candidate is required possess substantial knowledge of the indicated matters from a technical perspective and an understanding of the legal compliance implications.

Key responsibilities

As assistant/associate professor in Cybersecurity, you are expected to:

• in the Advanced Master programme, coordinate and teach post-graduate courses related to cybersecurity/privacy  focussing also on data governance and regulatory issues surrounding these themes for professionals students some of them with a non-technical background;
• Supervise master theses and supervise or assist in supervising PhD’s students;
• Significantly contribute to the performance and further development of the Advanced Master programme as well as other ECPC executive education programmes  especially related to cybersecurity governance, and cybersecurity regulation;
• Conduct research in the field of cybersecurity and/or privacy;
• Acquire, coordinate and contribute to applied research projects in the domain of data security & privacy and related areas;
• Contribute to public and policy debates on global data governance and security issues especially pertaining to cybersecurity and privacy broadly;

The position offers considerable space for personal initiative and fulfilment.

The working language is English.

The preferred starting date is 1 November 2022 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The ideal candidate fulfils the following main requirements:

• PhD degree in the field of computer and information technology, science and technology studies or a related field; with a thematic specialization in cybersecurity, information security and/or privacy and data protection;
• Extensive knowledge of the field of cybersecurity and/or privacy or data security with a solid track record of published research on this topic;
• Experience and excellence in teaching whereby experience in teaching professionals is an asset;
• Experience with academic supervision (Master/PhD theses);
• Experience in applied research and a track record of obtaining research funding;
• A personality characterized by vision, work ethics and collaboration;
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to liaise with people from different organisations, i.e., academia, businesses, international organisations, institutions and governments;
• Keen to develop new projects and initiatives to support ECPC research, teaching activities and the related community of stakeholders;
• Excellent command of the English language (spoken & written);
• Knowledge of Dutch language is an asset;
• Possesses the University Teaching Qualification (Dutch: BKO) or equivalent, or willing to acquire one within three years.

The exact terms of employment will depend on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. Initial appointment is temporarily for 12 or 18 months (depending on the employment history); towards the end of this contract period an indefinite employment contract may be granted. The successful candidate will be appointed as an assistant professor or an associate professor, depending on the candidate’s profile and the needs of ECPC.

The salary depends on academic qualifications and experience. The salary will be set between minimum gross month salary € 3.974,-- (salary scale 11) and maximum gross month salary of € 6.702,-- salary scale 13), based on a full-time employment, of the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities. For people recruited from abroad a reduced income tax rate may apply. 

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > About UM > Working at UM.

Maastricht University has attractive employment conditions, which include a pension scheme, holidays, holiday allowance and an end of year bonus.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 22,000 students and about 5,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

ECPC – European Centre on Privacy and Cybersecurity

The European Centre on Privacy and Cybersecurity (ECPC), established under the Law Faculty of Maastricht University, offers executive education programmes closely intertwined with the Centre’s research on legal issues related to personal data protection and cybersecurity. A growing number of certified professionals are required to deal with new regulations and on-going developments in the privacy and cybersecurity market. In order to meet this global demand, ECPC offers a complete track of regular practice-oriented DPO training and certification courses, a full diploma track on privacy management, conferences and seminars on emerging issues and challenges. From September 2021 on ECPC offers a new Advanced Master in Privacy, Cybersecurity and Data Management. This two-year part-time programme offers an ambitious curriculum for professionals that bridges the intersection between law, technology, ethics, governance and management.