JADS is seeking enthusiastic candidates for a post-doctoral position on cyber threat intelligence (CTI) and data-driven cybersecurity for cyber-physical spaces, specifically in the context of transport components and elements of the maritime sector. For example, by analysing a vast number of transport movements, it is possible to discover anomalous and potentially criminal trajectories by combining Edge computing, IoT, and other software technology assets together. A baseline tool for such an approach has already been refined and tested to reveal deviant and/or suspicious shipping movements but shall require further work to generalise its value onto a wider audience. Subsequently, its value and efficacy should be tested from a scientific perspective. However, this was partly achieved by adopting a DevOps method which shall need further investigation in terms of its security and safety. The candidate will work to extend the platform to provide capabilities such as anomaly detection, visual analytics e.g., integration with GIS-information, and AI predictive analysis.

Short Description
The project focuses on developing an actionable toolkit to support law enforcement officers in maritime domain search. It utilizes existing tools and best practices, along with open-source frameworks like Apache Spark. The toolkit aims to facilitate cross-border collaboration and knowledge sharing among agencies.
 
Key features of this toolkit development include:

• Extending tool baselines to support collective intelligence and reinforcement learning approaches;
• Implementing a federating data processing and sharing model using federated learning and encryption technologies;
• A tool which serves as a central visualization point for various end users. It will offer features such as real-time anomaly detection and prediction, rich visual analytics, including GIS-information, and AI predictive analytics;
• Involving end-users in the development process to ensure operational requirements are met, advocate trustworthy AI, and avoid bias.

Furthermore, the tool will serve as a centralized visualization endpoint for various end-users, offering capabilities like real-time anomaly detection, rich visual analytics, and AI predictive analytics. It aims to calculate and communicate risks associated with criminal incidents in (near) real-time.

Job Description
This vacancy falls under the auspices of the JADE lab, which is the data/AI engineering and governance research UNIT of the JADS. 

Candidates should:

• Have a PhD. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, AI or a related discipline;
• Have a strong interest in data engineering and governance, machine-learning and deep-learning, cybersecurity and cyber threat intelligence;
• Have excellent programming skills and be highly motivated, be rigorous and disciplined when developing algorithms and software according to high quality standards;
• Have good technical understanding of the statistical models used in data science and machine learning;
• Have knowledge of, or a willingness to familiarize themselves with, current research into machine learning for software engineering trustworthiness evaluation;
• Have a commitment to develop algorithms that analyse Big Data from software-defined infrastructures as well as AI application code;
• Be a fast learner, autonomous and creative, show dedication and be hard working;
• Possess good communication capabilities and be an efficient team worker;
• Be fluent in English, both spoken and written.

Being appointed at JADS provides a meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious community of 2 universities and startups. Based on the project, the candidate receives an appointment Tilburg University.

As a PostDoc at JADS / Tilburg University you will have a full-time employment for a total of two years, with a possibility of contract extension. JADS / Tilburg University offers excellent employment conditions with attention to flexibility and (personal) development and attractive fringe benefits. The minimum gross salary is € 3.877 per month up to a maximum of € 5.929, based on UFO profile Researcher 3 or 4 and salary scale number 10 or 11 of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. Tilburg University uses a neutral salary system for scaling that is based on relevant education and work experience

You are entitled to a vacation allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% of your gross annual income. If you work 40 hours per week, you will receive 41 paid days of leave per year. PostDoc from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a tax-free allowance of 30% of their taxable salary if they meet the relevant conditions. The university applies for this allowance on their behalf. JADS will provide assistance in finding suitable accommodation.

More information for international applicants about working at JADS - Tilburg University can be found via this link.

Preferred starting date: December 1, 2023.

To develop your teaching skills, you will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks. 

Next to that we offer all kinds of facilities and arrangements to maintain an optimal balance between work and private life. All employees of the university are covered by the so-called General Pension Fund for Public Employers (Stichting Pensioenfonds ABP).  

JADS values an open and inclusive culture. We embrace diversity and encourage the mutual integration of groups of employees and students. We focus on creating equal opportunities for all our employees and students so that everyone feels at home in our university community. 

All researchers working in JADS have contracts at either Tilburg University or Eindhoven University of Technology. Please visit Working at Tilburg University for more information on their respective employment conditions.

JADS

We do cool stuff that matters, with data. The Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) is a unique cooperation between Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and Tilburg University (TiU). At JADS, we believe that data science can provide answers to society’s complex issues. We provide innovative educational programs, data science research, and support for business and society. With a team of lecturers, students, scientists and entrepreneurs - from a wide range of sectors and disciplines – we work on creating impact with data science. We do this by connecting people, sectors and industries: in the past 5 years we have been working with 300+ organizations on data-related projects. Our main drivers? Doing cool stuff that matters with data. Our location at the former monastery Mariënburg in Den Bosch houses a vibrant campus fully dedicated to data science.