Postdoc in Secure Task Offloading for Software Defined Vehicles (SDV) - DTU Compute

A 2-year Postdoc in Secure Task Offloading for Software Defined Vehicles (SDV) is available in the Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE) section at DTU Compute. The position is part of the EU project Shift2SDV, a large collaborative effort involving 81 partners across Europe. At DTU, the project offers a focused research scope with room for academic exploration.

This position focuses on secure real-time offloading of mixed-criticality tasks from SDVs to infrastructure nodes. You will analyze and design solutions that consider both safety and security aspects, building on our earlier work on trust-aware task migration. A strong emphasis will be placed on security guarantees, including secure communication, task integrity, and trust management. The ideal candidate will help develop new runtime models, threat mitigations, and system-level architectures to support trustworthy and fail-operational task offloading.

Responsibilities: 

• Conduct research in security-aware real-time offloading in vehicular edge computing.
• Extend models for SDV and infrastructure architectures with security constraints.
• Publish results in leading venues.
• Collaborate with Shift2SDV academic and industry partners.
• Co-supervise MSc and PhD students.
• Optionally support teaching and proposal activities.

Required qualifications:

• As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) in computer science, networking, cybersecurity, or a related area relevant for the position.
• Solid knowledge of system security.
• Experience with real-time systems and/or safety-critical systems is a plus.
• Proven research skills and publication track record.
• Strong communication and collaboration abilities.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

The period of employment is 2 years.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Prof. Paul Pop (paupo@dtu.dk), head of the ESE section at DTU Compute. 

You can read more about DTU Compute at www.compute.dtu.dk. In ESE, we are building an internal pipeline for applicants to faculty positions. Postdocs will be supported in improving their CVs for academic careers. This includes co-supervision of MSc and PhD students, teaching opportunities, and proposal development. You can learn more about ESE and the future faculty positions here.  

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 31 August 2025 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD – in English)
• List of publications 
• Research statement

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

Embedded Systems Engineering (ESE) is one of the 10 research sections at DTU Compute. Our mission encompasses the creation of insights that allow the development of context-aware, distributed, and embedded cyber-physical systems, with a particular focus on Internet-of-Things (IoT) and the computing continuum eras. Our vision is to pioneer advancements in high-tech distributed and embedded systems technology, driving change, and contributing positively to society. We strive for a future where our research and innovations form the cornerstone of technological advancements, and we're excited to include more brilliant minds in our journey. See our publications and projects here.

DTU Compute
DTU Compute – Department of Mathematics and Computer Science – is an internationally recognised academic environment with over 400 employees and 10 research sections. We broadly cover digital technologies within mathematics, data science, computer science, and computer engineering, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, internet of things (IoT), chip design, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, social networks, fairness, and data ethics. Our research is rooted in basic research and centres on mathematical models of the physical and virtual world, as a basis for the analysis, design, and implementation of complex systems. We focus on ensuring that our research results contribute to creating a better society by supporting areas such as health, green transition, energy supply, and life science. We collaborate with universities, public and private organisations, and companies in Denmark and abroad, and through DTU’s startup ecosystem, we encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. We have a strong ethical, human, and sustainable approach that ensures integrity in our work. Therefore, we strive for and take responsibility for driving the democratisation of digital technologies, so that everyone has the opportunity to actively participate in the development, and we ensure a continued open, democratic, and inclusive society for the benefit of all. At DTU Compute, we value diversity, inclusion, and a flexible work-life balance. Read more about us at www.compute.dtu.dk.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.