Job Description

Job Summary/Basic Function:
The Semiconductor Microelectronics Security Assurance Resilience and Trust (SMART) Cybersecurity Lab at the Joshi Research Center, Department of Computer Science at Wright State University, invites applications for a Research Associate Position for the summer 2024 in the general areas of Trusted Microelectronics and Embedded Systems Security. The SMART lab is currently being sponsored by the AFRL ADMETE fund (nearly $30M), NSF, NSA, Intel, and the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Minimum Qualifications
Research associates should have an M.Sc. or Ph.D. in STEM by the start date.
Candidates should demonstrate readiness to write examples and test cases in assembly and HDL languages.
The candidate should be familiar with digital design, computer architecture, SoC, VHDL, Verilog, and other CAD tools for security and assurance and formal verification for hardware vulnerability analysis/testing.
Research associates should demonstrate proficiency in creating high-level language programs, i.e., Python for ML algorithms.
Research associates should show a thorough understanding of digital design and computer architecture concepts and tradeoffs.
The candidates should exhibit a solid background in computer security concepts, trends, and recent developments.
The candidates should prove proficiency in understanding, designing, and implementing complex combinational and sequential logic for digital circuits.

Preferred Qualifications
We are looking for self-motivated candidates with a master’s or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a related field with a strong research background in or related to one or more of the following areas:
Lightweight and Reliable Hardware-based Primitives for Authentication and Cryptography (PUFs, TRNGs, Quantum PUFs, etc.)
Resilient Circuit Designs against Invasive and Supply Chain Attacks
Embedded Systems Security (Microprocessors, Microcontrollers, Memory Devices, etc.)
Novel Approaches Against Invasive and Non-Invasive Hardware Attacks: Anti-tampering, Anti-cloning and design overbuilding, Anti-counterfeits, IP/IC Piracy, Anti-reverse Engineering, etc.
Secure and Trusted COTS and System-on-Chip Components
Robust Built-in Self Testing and Verification
ML/AI-assisted Mechanisms for Hardware Security and Trust
AI/ML-assisted Hardware Security
Hardware Trojan Detection and Prevention
Hardware-assisted Post-quantum Cryptography
Novel Zero Trust Architectures for Assured Microcontrollers
Novel Approaches to Countermeasure against Malicious Hardware Modification: Fault injections, and Side Channel and Power Analysis Attacks, etc.
Good communication skills, ability to perform multiple tasks, and work cooperatively in a team environment.
A documented ability or potential to contribute to hardware security and assurance CAD tools, as evidenced by a history of publications or contributions on specific projects, products, tools, and websites.
A documented ability or potential to contribute to academic scholarship, evidenced by a history of scientific publications, grant submissions, and conference presentations.
Help mentor graduate/undergraduate students and write and submit research papers in high-impact conferences and journals (IEEE, ACM, Elsevier, Springer, IEEE HoST, IEEE/ACM DAC, IEEE ISACS, etc.)
Have good hands-on experience in hardware security design with FPGA/ASICs, microprocessors/microcontrollers, and memory devices.

Essential Functions and percent of time:
70% of the time will be spent developing and testing new security and trust solutions/designs, lab experiments, writing/submitting papers, and helping and supervising Undergraduate/Graduate students. This includes leading a research project in close collaboration with the PI and other lab members, advancing technical aspects of experimental approaches, and mechanistic understanding/solving of Hardware Security and Trust challenges.
30% of the time will be spent writing and submitting proposals as necessary and securing external funding. The Research Associate shall also be responsible for soliciting and being awarded grants for the project’s needs.

Essential Functions and percent of time (cont'd):


Non-Essential Functions and percent of time:
Working Conditions
This is a part-time grant funded position. Special contract terms and conditions of employment apply.

This opportunity comes with a grant-funded position for one semester (Summer 2024), with continuation dependent on funding. Research associate will work in standard computer engineering laboratories and digital electronics prototyping and testing conditions.

Wright State University, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, is committed to an inclusive environment and strongly encourages applications from minorities, females, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

To preserve the safety and security of the campus community and to maintain the integrity of university operations, it is the policy of Wright State University to make an employment offer contingent on various background checks, such as a criminal record, credit history when job-related, and education verifications. Additionally, an administrative review shall be conducted whenever the university learns that an employee is charged with or convicted of a crime (except for minor vehicle violations). Frequently asked questions related to background checks may be found on the Human Resources website at https://www.wright.edu/human-resources .

Effective July 1, 2017, per Policy 7230, Wright State University is tobacco-free. Tobacco use, including the sale, advertising, sampling, and distribution of tobacco products and tobacco-related items, is prohibited in all university facilities, on all university-owned or leased grounds, university-owned or operated residence halls and apartments, and at all university-sponsored events regardless of location. Tobacco use is also prohibited in all university vehicles or equipment owned, leased, or operated by Wright State University. This policy applies to anyone on campus, including students, faculty, staff, visitors, consultants, vendors, patients, volunteers, and contractor employees.