Job description

Job summary

The post of Research Assistant (pre-doctoral) is to conduct world-leading research on novel software and hardware security mechanisms for next-generation cloud computing environments. The goal of the project is to advance the state-of-the-art in the safety, resilience and trustworthiness of future cloud environments by rethinking the design and implementation of cloud software stacks, working across the runtime, operating system, hypervisor and hardware layers.

The successful candidate will join the Large-Scale Data and Systems (LSDS) group, under the supervision of Professor Peter Pietzuch, and work with a team of faculty members, researchers and PhD students, in collaboration with industrial partners.

Duties and responsibilities

The post offers an exciting opportunity for conducting internationally leading research on new software/hardware security mechanisms in cloud environments, thus having an impact by addressing real-world security problems. The Research Assistant will be responsible for designing and implementing new secure operating systems, container/virtual machine models, hypervisors and middleware for cloud environments, providing new abstractions and APIs for hardware security features and implementing, evaluating and open-sourcing experimental software prototypes.

The Research Assistant will carry out a research programme that spans the areas of operating systems, security and computer architecture, undertake research project management and work with a diverse research team. The candidate will also prepare and submit publications to top-tier conferences and journals, publicising research results at premier systems, security and architecture conferences.

Essential requirements

To apply for this position, you must have a strong computer science background and have experience, including a proven publication track-record, in one or more of the following areas: operating systems, distributed systems, security and/or computer architecture.

You should also have:

• A Master’s degree in computer science or a related area.
• Experience with the design and implementation of system software (e.g. operating system (OS) kernels, microkernels, hypervisors, low-level middleware systems) and systems programming languages (e.g. C, C++, Rust).
• Knowledge of compiler technology (e.g. LLVM), computer architecture (e.g. RISC-V, Arm, x86), hardware programming (e.g. assembly, VHDL, Chisel) and hardware isolation technologies (e.g. Intel MPX/MPK/SGX, Arm TrustZone, CHERI).
• Good software development practices, including knowledge of version control, CI pipelines, shell scripting, build systems, etc.

See job description for full list of requirements.

Further information

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and reserve the right to close the advert early if the position is filled.

In addition to completing the online application, candidates should attach:

• A full CV, with a list of all publications
• A 2-page research statement indicating what you see are interesting research issues relating to the above post and why your expertise is relevant.

For queries regarding the application process contact Jamie Perrins: j.perrins@imperial.ac.uk

Documents

• Research Assistant JD.pdf