Research Associate, Ohio Cyber Range Institute, CECH School of Information Technology

Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors 

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to 53,235 students, more than 11,000 faculty and staff and 350,000+ living alumni, UC combines a Top 35 public research university with a physical setting The New York Times calls “the most ambitious campus design program in the country.”

With the launch of Next Lives Here, the Cincinnati Innovation District, a $100 million JobsOhio investment, three straight years of record enrollment, worldwide leadership in cooperative education, a dynamic academic health center and entry into the Big 12 Conference, UC’s momentum has never been stronger. UC’s annual budget stands at $1.85 billion, and its endowment totals nearly $1.8 billion.

About the School of Information Technology

The School of Information Technology is a national leader in studying solutions and needs that connect people, information, and the technology of the time. The SoIT (School of Information Technology) is home to Ohio's first Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Information Technology. In addition, it is home to Ohio's first ABET accredited Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. The SoIT has been growing at 20% annually and currently serves more than 2,000 students with 35 full-time faculty members, 35 full-time staff, and 30 adjunct faculty. The SoIT is home to several centers including an NSA/DHS Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, the Information Technology Solutions Center, the Ohio Cyber Range Institute, Applied Machine Learning and Intelligence Center, and the Smart Synergies Lab.

The SoIT is a diverse, interdisciplinary, team-oriented, dynamic, and entrepreneurial environment. It empowers individuals to become passionate, solution-minded Information Technology professionals by fostering continuous innovation, research, leadership development, interdisciplinary problem solving, and real-world experience. More information about the school can be found at http://cech.uc.edu/it.

About the Ohio Cyber Range Institute

The Ohio Cyber Range Institute (OCRI), housed at the University of Cincinnati, is a partnership among state agencies and academic institutions led by UC, the Ohio Adjutant General’s Department and Ohio Department of Higher Education. OCRI’s mission is to advance cybersecurity education, workforce, and economic development. OCRI administers the Ohio Cyber Range as a state-wide tool that supports programming for K-20 courses and events; full-spectrum training opportunities, including incident response teams; industry workforce and economic development; cyber security research; as well as government agency support among other programs.

Job Overview

The School of Information Technology at the University of Cincinnati seeks to hire a Research Associate for the Ohio Cyber Range Institute to support the Ohio Persistent Cyber Improvement for Local Government Project (O-PCI), funded by the State of Ohio through a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency State and Local Cyber Improvement Grant. We are looking for a mission driven, team oriented, highly ambitious individual who wants to serve, make a difference, and strive to perform at competitive levels of excellence. This is a grant-funded position; the continuation of this position will be based on the availability of funds and the continuation of the grant.

Under general supervision from the OCRI Associate Director of Education, the Research Associate will develop educational content in the area of cybersecurity for working professionals, create corresponding assessments to measure comprehension, research cybersecurity trends to persistently update training, and provide individual support for learners in the development and refinement of a cybersecurity program.

Essential Functions

• Develop Comprehensive Training Curricula
  • Design and implement engaging training programs and educational materials in cybersecurity to address the needs of diverse audiences.
• Conduct In-Depth Research on Cybersecurity Trends
  • Stay informed about the latest developments, best practices, and advancements in cybersecurity technologies and methodologies.

• Design Interactive and Hands-On Learning Experiences
  • Create engaging online content and practical, hands-on activities tailored to the training audience to enhance learning outcomes.
• Collaborate with OCRI Teams and External Stakeholders
  • Work effectively with internal teams and external partners to align training initiatives with organizational goals and industry standards.
• Develop and Maintain Process Documentation
  • Create, update, and document standard operating procedures and workflows to ensure consistency and efficiency.
• Integrate Research into Continuous Improvement Efforts
  • Apply findings from research to enhance the quality and effectiveness of training materials and educational strategies.
• Develop Assessments and Support Cyber Exercises
  • Create assessments to measure training effectiveness and provide support in the design, execution, and evaluation of cybersecurity exercises.
• Respond to Curriculum-Related Inquiries
  • Address questions and provide guidance regarding training materials and curriculum content in a timely and professional manner.
• Lead or Participate in In-Person Training Events
  • Facilitate, support, or lead in-person training sessions, workshops, or events to foster direct engagement with learners and stakeholders. Perform related duties based on need. This job description can be changed at any time.

Required Education

Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or a related computing discipline.

Required Experience

One year of experience working in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, or related field.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Practical Experience in Networking and Systems Design
• Proficiency in Online Curriculum Design
• Prior experience in delivering education or training programs, particularly in cybersecurity or related technical fields.
• Master’s degree or higher in cybersecurity, information technology, computer science, or a related discipline.
• Proficiency in utilizing tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud or similar platforms for developing high-quality instructional content.
• Hands-on experience with virtualization tools, containerization platforms, and cloud-based environments for training or technical applications.
• Knowledge of Cybersecurity Frameworks and Standards
• Mission-driven and self-motivated

Application Process

Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and three references. Review of the applications will start as soon as applications are received and continue until the position is filled.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Office environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers a wide array of complementary and affordable benefit options, to meet the financial, educational, health, and wellness needs of you and your family. Eligibility varies by position and FTE.

• Competitive salary range of $64,000 - $67,000 dependent on the candidate's experience.
• Comprehensive insurance plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage.
• Flexible spending accounts and an award-winning employee wellness program, plus an employee assistance program.
• Financial security via our life and long-term disability insurance, accident and illness insurance, and retirement savings plans.
• Generous paid time off work options including vacation, sick leave, annual holidays, and winter season days in addition to paid parental leave.
• Tuition remission is available for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Enjoy discounts for on and off-campus activities and services.

For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations with the application, please contact Human Resources at jobs@uc.edu. 

The University of Cincinnati is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

REQ: 98006