You will conduct research that advances the security of the Internet’s routing system as part of the project “User-driven Path Verification and Control for Inter-domain Networks” (UPIN). The goal of UPIN is to develop and evaluate a scalable distributed system that enables users to cryptographically verify and easily control the paths through which their data travels through the Internet, such as in terms of router-to-router hops or router attributes (e.g., their location, operator, security level, and manufacturer). UPIN will thus provide the solution to a very relevant and current problem, which is that it is becoming increasingly opaque for users on the Internet who processes their data (e.g., in terms of service providers their data passes through as well as what jurisdictions apply) and that they have no control over how it is being routed. This is a risk for people’s privacy (e.g., a malicious network compromising a user’s data) as well as for their safety (e.g., an untrusted network disrupting a remote surgery).
You will act as the technical coordinator of UPIN, reporting to the project lead at the UT. You will also report the UPIN project partners: the Multi Scale Networked Systems group at the University of Amsterdam, NLnet Labs, SIDN, and SURF. In addition, you will closely work with Ph.D. candidates in the DACS group, who also work on routing security, such as on “risk-based routing” and short-lived routing hijacks.
The position is part of the chair Trusted Open Networking (TRON), which is about increasing the security of the Internet’s communications substrate through measurement-based insights in its structure and operation, control actions to mitigate incidents or risks based on these insights, and through changes to the Internet itself for enhanced insights or new control capabilities. TRON uses open technologies and aims to combine science and practice.
The UPIN project is financed by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) and industry partners NLnet Labs, SIDN, and SURF. More info at
You will:
Conduct research into new routing concepts and mechanisms that increase insight in and control over the trustworthiness of Internet paths, such as for critical applications
Implement and evaluate your ideas, for instance using BIRD or the national P4-programmable network operated by the 2STiC consortium
Work with service providers and other stakeholders to demonstrate the added value of concepts like path verification functions
Present (preliminary) results at appropriate meetings and conferences
Publish results in scientific workshops, magazines, and journals
Contribute to teaching on topics related to your work
Represent and promote UPIN in collaboration with the project partners
Closely work with a group of 3 Ph.D. candidates at DACS
Act as the technical coordinator of UPIN, reporting to the project lead
Your profile
You’re a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher
You have a Ph.D. in computer science or related field
You have a proven track record in computer networks and network security
Affinity with the concept of open strategic digital autonomy for Europe
Workshop and conference publications are a must
You’re an independent and original thinker with a creative mindset
You have excellent analytical and communication skills
You very much enjoy working in a team
You’re interested in teaching at university level
You’re fluent in English and willing to learn Dutch
Our offer
You will be appointed for a period of maximum 2 years full-time within a very stimulating scientific environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues.
Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
Gross salary between € 3877,- and € 5090,- per month depending on experience and qualifications;
Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8.3% and a solid pension scheme;
The flexibility to work partially from home;
Free access to sports facilities on campus;
A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
Excellent support for research and facilities for professional and personal development.
We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other university staff.
We are a family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid) and career support for partners.
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