Security managers need to constantly take decisions under uncertain circumstances and have constrained budgets in order to make their organizations digitally safe. This PhD project focuses on developing data-driven tools and metrics for evaluating the security decision-making process of a business. The ultimate aim of this project is to aid managers in making rational security decisions. Would you like to help firms optimize the efficiency level of these decisions? Then this position may just be the one for you!

As one of the PhDs under Twente University Center for Cyber Security Research (TUCCR), you will work within the High-Tech Business and Entrepreneurship (HBE) department.

• MSc degree in Business, Information Technology or related field;
• Excellent teammate in an enthusiastic and hardworking group of scientists;
• Proven curiosity about primary data collection and data analysis. You do not shy away from conducting interviews;
• Excellent communications skills;
• Proficient in written and oral English;
• Able to do independent research and willing to develop writing and publication skills.

We encourage high responsibility and independence, while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff and partners. We follow the terms of employment by the Dutch Collective Labour Agreement for Universities (CAO). Our offer contains: a fulltime 4-year PhD position; excellent mentorship in a stimulating research environment with excellent facilities; and a personal development program within the Twente Graduate School. It also includes:

• Gross monthly salary of € 2.541 in the first year, increasing each year up to € 3.247 in the fourth year;
• Holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an end of year bonus (8.3%);
• 29 holidays per year in case of full-time employment;
• Employee status at the UT, including pension and health care benefits. UT is an equal opportunities employer.

About the centre

The Twente University Centre for Cybersecurity Research (TUCCR) is a public-private partnership where experts, professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students from industry and knowledge partners collaborate to deliver talents, innovations, and know-how in the domain of cybersecurity.

The mission of TUCCR is to strengthen the security and digital sovereignty of our society by performing top-level research on real-world data and network security challenges. To achieve significant societal impact, TUCCR combines technical, socio-economic, and ethical know how and is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, ranging from security labs, testbeds, data lakes, and dedicated attack-defense environments, such as cyber ranges.

The Twente University Centre for Cybersecurity Research is a public- private partnership between the University of Twente, Cisco, SIDN, Thales, TNO, BetterBe, NDIX, NCSC, Vereniging Nederlandse Banken, SURF and Northwave.

About the Department

The High-tech Business and Entrepreneurship (HBE) department is part of the Faculty of Behavioural, Management, and Social Sciences (BMS). HBE holds a leading position at the interfaces of business, technology, and the social sciences. In our ground-breaking research and novel education programmes, we strive for making an impact in business and healthcare by conducting cross-disciplinary research. We combine various themes such as smart industry, supply chain management, transportation and logistics management, innovation management, healthcare operations, technology-based entrepreneurship, purchasing and supply management, cyber security, financial engineering, HRM, change management, and leadership.

The HBE department is dedicated to encouraging a supportive and inclusive working culture. Our aim is that all job applicants are given equal opportunities. When we select candidates for employment, it will be on the basis of their competence and ability. To support the workforce diversity, we are open to offer flexible working conditions on an individual basis to support work-life balance, that may include contract of employment, working hours and location, or child care arrangements.

Please have a look at our video to learn more about our department

The High Business Entrepreneurship corporate video can be watched via this link.