PhD Researcher in Secure and Privacy-Preserving Data Exchange for Cyber-Physical Systems

Your position
Tilburg University (Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences – TSHD) and Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) host a fully funded PhD position within the NWO-funded project NEPTARGOS – Nautical Empowerment for Proactive Threat Analysis and Resilience with Guardian Oversight Systems. The position is embedded in Work Package 4 (WP4): Secure Data Exchange, led by prof. dr. Willem-Jan van den Heuvel, and is central to the technical and scientific objectives of the project. NEPTARGOS is a large, interdisciplinary research project aiming to enhance the cyber resilience of maritime and cyber-physical infrastructures through AI-enabled, data-driven, and governance-aware approaches.

The PhD project focuses on the design and implementation of secure, privacy-preserving, and trustworthy data exchange mechanisms for cyber-physical systems (CPSs) operating in regulated and safety-critical environments. A central challenge addressed in this work package is how data can be shared, analysed, or jointly computed without exposing raw data, while continuously complying with evolving legal, ethical, and policy frameworks. The main research goal is to advance CPS data and information exchange workflows by introducing security- and privacy-by-design techniques that address challenges related to data secrecy, integrity, confidentiality, and availability.

Key research questions include:

• How can data be exchanged and analysed securely in CPS settings under strict governance and regulatory constraints?
• Which mechanisms and protocols enable trustworthy computation and collaboration without sharing raw data?
• How can secure data exchange solutions be adapted dynamically to legal, policy, and operational changes?

Research Objectives
The PhD researcher will work on the following main objectives in the context of project’s WP4 – Secure Data Exchange:

1. Design a security- and privacy-preserving data exchange framework tailored to cyber-physical systems, addressing data confidentiality, integrity, availability, and governance constraints.
2. Investigate and apply standards and data modeling and exchange protocols enhancing security, privacy, and interoperability of data.
3. Investigate and integrate state-of-the-art techniques for secure data sharing and computation without exposing raw data, including:
   -Federated learning
   -Secure multi-party computation
   -Homomorphic encryption
   -Blockchain-based provenance and audit mechanisms
4. Develop a subsystem or service that provides “security-by-design” recommendations for AI/ML, IT, and software developers, cybersecurity professionals, and governmental actors.
5. Align technical solutions with legal, ethical, and policy frameworks, including the Data Governance Act, relevant EU directives, and policy recommendations applicable to critical infrastructures.
6. Contribute to the implementation and validation of secure data exchange workflows within the NEPTARGOS simulation and CPS environments.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who meets the following criteria:

• A Master’s degree (with minimum grade 7,5 out of 10) in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Strong and proven experience in secure systems, data governance, privacy-preserving technologies, and AI.
• Demonstrable experience or affinity with at least two of the following areas:
  • Data security and privacy
  • Distributed systems
  • Blockchain technologies
  • AI/ML or data engineering
  • LLMs and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
• Proven experience working on European or national research and innovation projects.
• Strong technical knowledge and skills on decentralizes systems, cloud and edge applications, and data management techniques.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.
• Passion for applied research and being able to organize, conduct, analyze and report experiments independently.
• Excellent English language skills, both written and spoken.
• Strong and proven academic writing and analytical skills.

Our offer
Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:

• Employment of 1,0 fte (40 hours per week).
• Salary starting at €3.059 in your first year leading up to €3.881 in your fourth year, gross per month for full-time employment (UFO-profile Promovendus, salary scale PR). Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant work experience.
• This is a vacancy for a PhD in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 8 sub b CLA DU. You will initially be given a temporary contract for the duration of 12 months. After a positive evaluation your contract will be extended with another 36 months.
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.
• Hybrid working with home working allowance (€2 p/day) and internet allowance (€25 p/month).
• Reimbursement sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.
• Options model for additional leave, pension, a bicycle or personal training.
• Moving allowance (subject to conditions).
• 30% rule for international employees (if applicable).
• Pension through ABP.
• Ample training offer: personal development, leadership, education, research or language courses. 
• Inclusive work culture: everyone welcome, equal opportunities. 
• A green, inviting campus that’s easily accessible by public transport.

For more information, please see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities.

Tilburg University is an academic, inclusive, and engaged community. Together with nearly 3,000 employees, we are committed to broad prosperity, sustainably, and inclusion. For current and future generations. We develop and share knowledge for the requirements of people and our society. This is how we contribute to solving complex social issues and help society move forward.

We educate our 19,500 students of 110 nationalities to become responsible leaders with knowledge, skills, and character. With our education and research for broad prosperity, we exceedingly focus on themes such as mental and preventive care, an inclusive labor market, the energy transition, and digitalization.

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences

Research and education at the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) has a unique focus on humans in the context of the globalizing digital society, on the development of artificial intelligence and interactive technologies, on their impact on communication, culture and society, and on moral and existential challenges that arise. The School of Humanities and Digital Sciences consists of four departments: Communication and Cognition, Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, Culture Studies and Philosophy; several research institutes and a faculty office. Also the University College Tilburg is part of the School. Each year around 275 students commence a Bachelor or (Pre) Master Program. The School has approximately 2000 students and 250 employees.

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences

Want to know more?
Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Willem-Jan van den Heuvel (w.j.a.m.vdnheuvel@tilburguniversity.edu) and Dr. Georgios Manias  (g.manias@tilburguniversity.edu.