Postdoc in Cyber-Deception - DTU Compute

Are you a cybersecurity researcher eager to push the boundaries of cyber-deception? Do you have expertise in cybersecurity, machine learning and/or cyber-psychology? This fully funded 16-month postdoctoral position offers you the chance to contribute to cutting-edge research, collaborate with leading experts, and develop innovative deception-based security strategies.

As part of Project Apate, you will work on novel deception techniques to protect, among others, legacy systems from advanced cyber threats. You will collaborate closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) and five PhD students working on related topics, creating a highly interdisciplinary and supportive research environment in one of the largest cyber-deception groups in the world. Additionally, you will have opportunities to engage with top universities and leading cybersecurity researchers, expanding your professional network.

Traditional cybersecurity relies on strong defensive barriers, but sophisticated attacks continue to breach these protections, particularly in aging yet critical infrastructure (e.g., power plants). Cyber-deception provides an alternative by trapping attackers in endless pursuits and exploiting their cognitive biases. Inspired by Apate, the Greek goddess of deception, this project introduces gentle deception, a novel approach that creates lightweight, low-overhead traps without overwhelming protected systems. The project is fully-funded by the Carlsberg Foundation’s Semper Ardens Accelerate grant.

This position is ideal for a researcher passionate about developing deception-based defenses, leveraging human cognitive biases in cyber-attack strategies, and designing innovative security techniques. If you’re looking to make a real impact in cybersecurity and expand your research portfolio in an exciting, rapidly growing field, we encourage you to apply!

Responsibilities and qualifications
The primary purpose of this position is to advance cyber-deception research, developing novel  deception techniques to protect critical systems. The researcher will co-mentor PhD students, collaborate with academic and industrial partners, and contribute to real-world cybersecurity applications. This role provides an opportunity to shape next-generation deception-based defenses while expanding professional expertise in an emerging field.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct top research in cyber-deception and disseminate results in top cyber-security and conferences/journals
• Co-mentor PhD students and contribute to their research
• Collaborate with research partners
• Design and implement experimental deception frameworks

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). Furthermore, publications at top cyber-security conferences and journals are expected.  

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 16 months. The starting date is September 2025 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from the PI, Emmanouil Vasilomanolakis, emmva@dtu.dk.

You can read more about the Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at www.compute.dtu.dk and about the Section for Cybersecurity Engineering at www.compute.dtu.dk/sections/cybsec. 

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 May 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

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.

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.