Institution: AI Security and Safety Department, Simula Cybersecurity, Oslo, Norway
Position: Fully-funded PhD Candidate (3-4 years) or Postdoctoral Fellow (3 years)
The Opportunity
Simula Cybersecurity is starting a new department on AI Security and Safety and aims to be at the forefront of securing the next generation of AI. We are seeking a highly motivated researcher to join our team for a pioneering project in AI security red teaming. As generative AI, specifically large language models (LLMs), and general-purpose AI become more ubiquitous, they introduce novel and complex attack surfaces. Your mission will be to proactively investigate these vulnerabilities, develop robust defense mechanisms, and build the foundational frameworks for trustworthy AI.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI security while working alongside world-class researchers in Oslo, Norway.
Research Focus Areas
We invite applications from candidates with a strong interest in one or more of the following areas:
- Red Teaming Framework for AI Security: A core focus of this position. You will design and develop a novel, comprehensive framework for AI security assessment. This framework will adapt established cybersecurity principles to the unique threat landscape of general-purpose AI, providing a systematic methodology for identifying, categorizing, and mitigating vulnerabilities.
- Vulnerability Discovery & Categorization: Go beyond known threats like prompt injection to systematically identify and document new classes of vulnerabilities unique to general-purpose AI systems. This research will be critical for populating and validating the security framework you help to build.
- Novel Attack Vectors: Design and execute cutting-edge adversarial attacks, such as sophisticated data poisoning, model extraction, or denial-of-service attacks, to push the boundaries of current security practices. The findings will serve as the empirical foundation for the security framework.
- Defensive Strategies: Propose and prototype new defensive architectures and techniques that can be integrated into the AI development lifecycle to build more resilient systems from the ground up.
What We Are Looking For
- For PhD Candidates: An MSc degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Machine Learning, or a related field.
- For Postdoctoral Fellows: A completed PhD in one of the fields mentioned above and a strong publication record.
- Strong programming skills in Python and practical experience with AI/ML frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX).
- A deep understanding of adversarial thinking and a passion for independent research.
- Excellent analytical and creative problem-solving abilities.
- A collaborative mindset and excellent communication skills in English.
- Significant Advantage: Previous experience with adversarial machine learning, offensive security, or publications in top-tier conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, CVPR, CCS, S&P).
What We Offer
- Competitive Salary: A fully-funded position with a competitive salary based on Norwegian national scales (starting from NOK 550.800 for PhD´s and NOK 595.000 for PostDocs.
- Generous Resources: Dedicated funding for conferences, equipment, and international research visits. You will have full access to Simula's high-performance computing (HPC) resources.
- Expert Mentorship: Be integrated into Simula’s dynamic, inclusive, and highly collaborative research community, where researchers at all levels work as colleagues.
- Career Development: Significant opportunities to collaborate with our industry partners and academic networks, and to translate your research into real-world impact.
- Exceptional Environment: Join a vibrant, international work environment in Oslo, a city consistently ranked for its high quality of life and stunning access to nature.
- Numerous benefits: access to company cabin, sponsored social events, generous equipment budgets (e.g., computer, phone and subscription), subsidized canteen meals, comprehensive travel/health insurance policy, etc;
- Relocation assistance: accommodation, visas, complimentary Norwegian language courses, etc.
- Wellness and work-life balance: Our employees’ health and well-being are a priority and we encourage them to make use of our flexible work arrangements to help balance their work and home lives efficiently.
Application Process
Interested applicants are requested to submit the following:
- Cover Letter (max 1-2 pages): Clearly state whether you are applying for the PhD or Postdoctoral position. Describe your motivation, research interests, and how your background aligns with the project.
- CV: Highlighting your relevant skills, projects, and publications.
- Academic Transcripts: Copies of your Bachelor's and Master's degrees (and PhD for Postdoc applicants).
- Contact Information for 2-3 References.
Application Deadline: October 7, 2025.
For inquiries about the position, please contact: Jostein Jensen, Director of Simula Cyber Security: jostein@simula.no
We look forward to receiving your application!
Simula Research Laboratory uses background checks in our recruitment process.
According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.
Employment for this position will be made according to the act relating to Control of the export of strategic goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and any attachments are considered to be in conflict with the export control regulations will not qualify for this position.