Research Fellow in Edge AI security, Belfast
Client:
Queen's University Belfast
Location:
Belfast, United Kingdom
Job Category:
Other
EU work permit required:
Yes
Job Reference:
1392e3ccd0cd
Job Views:
10
Posted:
12.08.2025
Expiry Date:
26.09.2025
Job Description:
The emergence of edge AI systems—AI deployed on resource-constrained, often battery-powered, devices at the edge of the network—presents critical security challenges. These systems are increasingly vulnerable to hardware-level threats, including side-channel attacks, fault injections, etc., particularly when optimized for performance.
This Research Fellow position focuses on AI security in the context of hardware-constrained edge devices, investigating how hardware acceleration can be leveraged by adversaries to compromise AI systems' robustness. The role involves designing secure AI accelerators, analyzing attack surfaces introduced by approximation, and developing a performance-security trade-off framework to guide secure AIoT deployment.
About the person:
* The successful candidate will have, or be close to obtaining, a PhD in computer science, engineering, mathematics, or a related physical sciences discipline, with research expertise in areas such as hardware-aware AI security, approximate computing, or secure embedded AI systems.
* They will demonstrate a strong track record of high-quality research in machine learning/AI and/or embedded systems, evidenced by publications in leading conferences and journals.
* The candidate will have hands-on experience with Edge AI and embedded systems security, as well as a solid grounding in AI security and Trustworthy AI.
* They will be proficient in Python and ideally familiar with hardware design (Verilog/VHDL), FPGA-based acceleration, etc.
* Experience with deep learning frameworks like PyTorch, Keras, or TensorFlow, and tools such as Jupyter Notebook, is expected.
* A strong foundation in core machine learning theory—including statistics, optimization, and linear algebra—is desirable.
* The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to independently develop and execute research plans and a track record of successful collaboration with industry partners.
To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information.
This post is available for 12 months. Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.
What we offer:
Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality.
If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application.
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