Postdoc Position in Cybersecurity for Battery Management Systems (BMS) at the Centre for Industrial Software (CIS), Sønderborg

Center for Industrial Software, part of the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute, University of Southern Denmark, invites applications for a 2-year Postdoc position in the field of cybersecurity with a strong interest in Battery Management Systems (BMS). The position is based at the Centre for Industrial Software (CIS) in Sønderborg, with a preferred start date of August 15, 2025.

The application deadline is 31 May 2025 at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST) 

 

The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute is internationally recognized in digital technologies. The institute is further growing its Center for Industrial Software research and education at its campus in Sønderborg, with a vision of creating world-class knowledge in valuable collaboration with industry, providing a unique opportunity to be part of the center. The center is collaborating closely with other centers on the campus, including the Centre for Industrial Electronics and the Centre for Industrial Mechanics, as well as with the industry, which counts world-leading companies in growing fields such as e-mobility, automation, climate solutions, and energy efficiency. Learn more about our institute at https://www.sdu.dk/en/mmmi and the center at https://www.sdu.dk/cis. The Centre is autonomous but will collaborate closely with the Institute's Software Engineering section.

In our work, we value teamwork, professional diligence, enthusiasm for technology, and the drive to adopt new skills and extended responsibilities. We offer an open, international team with flexible work organization and support for individual development. The Centre is involved in a variety of national and European projects and features a strong network of academic and industrial partners. We solve challenging research problems from real applications and implement novel software solutions together with end users such as Universal Robots, Terma, LEGO, Danfoss, and Novo Nordisk.

The Postdoc position aims to focus on securing automotive systems with a focus on battery management systems BMS architectures against cyber threats, ensuring system safety, reliability, and performance through advanced security techniques. You will work on a European-funded project.

Job description 

As a Postdoc, you will:

• Conducting research in cybersecurity for automotive control systems such as BMS (battery management systems), focusing on secure communication, access control, and anomaly detection.
• Developing and implementing security architectures for BMS based on industry standards, specifically ISO 21434 and/or UNECE WP.29 R155.
• Performing Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment (TARA), and vulnerability analysis to enhance automotive systems security and resilience.
• Perform/support penetration and fuzz testing activities and its vulnerability management.
• Collaborate with industrial partners and participate in funded research projects.
• Publish in high-impact scientific journals and conferences.
• Contribute to teaching activities within the section.
• Supervise PhD, Master, and Bachelor students in related research areas.

Profile and requirements

• You have a PhD degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
• You have experience in publishing research in high-impact conferences and journals related to cybersecurity, embedded systems, or similar areas.
• You are a team player with strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
• You are interested in a long-term commitment in a growing research group and are willing to work closely with industry partners.
• You are fluent in English, both spoken and written.
• Experience in national and/or European research projects is a plus.

You have experience in one or more of the following fields:

• Experience in cybersecurity for embedded systems, including secure communication protocols and knowledge of security industry standards (ISO 21434 and/or UNECE WP.29 R155)
• Automotive system security, particularly in battery management systems (BMS), security, including anomaly detection and firmware protection
• Programming for security applications (Python, C/C++, or related languages)

Further information about this position is available via email from Assistant Professor Mubashrah Saddiqa (msad@mmmi.sdu.dk) or Torben Worm (tow@mmmi.sdu.dk).

If you experience technical problems, please contact hcm-support@sdu.dk. 

Application procedure

Applicants are advised to read the SDU information on how to apply.

Assessment of the candidates is based on the application material, and an application must include: 

• Motivated application.
• Curriculum Vitae. 
• Master’s and PhD degree certificates or equivalent (copy of original/official English translation). 
• Complete list of publications.
• Publications most relevant to the position.
• Summary and documentation of experience in teaching, if relevant to the position. 
• A research statement may be included.
• References/reference letters may also be included.
• A statement/documentation of other qualifications relevant to the position may also be included.

UPLOAD GUIDE: Motivated application shall be uploaded as ‘Cover letter’ (max. 5 MB), Curriculum Vitae shall be uploaded as ‘Resume’ (max 5 MB). All other documents shall be uploaded as ‘Miscellaneous documents’ (max 10 files of max 50 MB per file). 

All documents must be in English and PDF format. CPR number (civil registration no.) must be crossed out. All PDF-files must be unlocked and allow binding and may not be password protected.

 

The application deadline is May 31, 2025, at 11.59 PM / 23.59 (CET/CEST) 

 

Assessment and selection process

Applications will be assessed by an assessment committee. Shortlisting may be applied, and only shortlisted candidates will receive a written assessment. Read about shortlisting at SDU.  Interviews and tests may be part of the overall evaluation.

Read about the Assessment and selection process.  

Conditions of employment

Appointment as a postdoc is temporary for an initial 2-year period. Extension may be possible depending on available funding.

The preferred start date is from August 15, 2025.

Employment as a postdoc requires scientific qualifications at PhD level at the time of employment. Employment will be in accordance with the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations for academics in the state with the associated circular on the protocol for the job structure for academic staff at Danish universities and the provisions for postdoc as described herein. Further information on salary and taxation. The person employed in the position may, based on a specific individual managerial evaluation, be exempted from time registration, also known as a “self-organizer”.

-

The University of Southern Denmark wishes our staff to reflect the surrounding community and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position. SDU conducts research in critical technologies, which, due to the risk of unwanted knowledge transfer, are subject to a number of security measures. Therefore, based on information from open sources, background checks may be conducted on candidates for the position.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark. You may also visit WorkinDenmark for additional information.

Further information about The Faculty of Engineering.

SØNDERBORG:

SDU Sønderborg is located in scenic and historic surroundings with views to both Alssund and Sønderborg Castle. The university's more than 1,000 students are just a short walk from the city center, water, beach and forest. SDU Sønderborg is part of the impressive and state-of-the-art building Alsion, which, besides the university, houses Videnspark Alsion, Business Academy Southwest, a concert hall, and the South Denmark Philharmonic, providing outstanding opportunities for expanding cooperation between universities, business, and culture.

The University of Southern Denmark was established to create value for and with society. Whether our contributions come in the form of excellent research, innovative solutions, education or learning, we must make a positive difference to society and contribute to a sustainable future. We do this by cultivating talents and creating the best environments for research and learning. It is therefore crucial that SDU retains, develops and recruits talent. At the same time, we need to ensure consistently high quality in all our activities – and we can only do that with the right people. The University’s researchers, lecturers, students, managers and technical/administrative staff are the foundation of our success.
Read about SDU