Job opening: PhD-Researcher and Lecturer Cybersecurity

Tilburg University | Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences | Department Intelligent Systems (DIS)

are looking for a PhD-Researcher and Lecturer (1.0 fte, six years) 

PhD-Researcher and Lecturer (PhD+)

Department Intelligent Systems (DIS)

Location: Tilburg

Contract size: 1.0 fte (40 hours per week)

Full-time gross monthly salary: A minimum gross salary of €3706 per month up to a maximum of € 4599 in the 6th year. For the duration of 12 months, you are entitled to an allowance. The amount is the difference in salary of scale 10 level 0 and scale PR level 0.

Contract duration: 12 months, followed by a 5-year contract (after positive assessment)

Intended start date: February 1, 2027

Your position

The Intelligent Systems (DIS) department at Tilburg University invites applications for a 6-year position. The successful applicant for this position would spend 60% of their time as a PhD student and 40% as a lecturer. The candidate’s educational tasks include leading practical sessions, grading assignments and exams, and (eventually) supervising thesis students. The PhD project would be determined jointly by the successful applicant and the supervision team. The research will broadly focus on the use of artificial intelligence for cybersecurity, targeting applications such as intrusion/vulnerability detection and root-cause analysis. The focus will be on using AI to help human analysts make the right decisions. Please see the homepage of Prof. Sicco Verwer (https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/nl/medewerkers/s-e-verwer) for more information on possible research topics.

Your profile

• Master’s degree in computer science, mathematics, machine learning, cybersecurity, or related field. If you expect to obtain your degree before February 2027, you are also eligible.


• Knowledge of artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining, and/or cybersecurity.


• Excellent knowledge of English and good academic writing skills.


• Dutch proficiency is preferred but not necessary for the role.

Our offer

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment:

• Employment of 1.0 fte (40 hours per week).


• The selected candidate will receive a contract for 12 months followed by a 5-year contract (after positive assessment).


• A minimum gross salary of €3706 per month up to a maximum of € 4599 in the 6th year. For the duration of 12 months, you are entitled to an allowance. The amount is the difference in salary of scale 10 level 0 and scale PR level 0.


• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.


• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave.


• Hybrid working with home working allowance (€2 p/day) and internet allowance (€25 p/month).


• Reimbursement sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transport.


• Options model for additional leave, pension, a bicycle or personal training.


• Moving allowance (subject to conditions).


• 30% rule for international employees (if applicable).


• Pension through ABP.


• Ample training offer: personal development, leadership, education, research or language courses.


• Inclusive work culture: everyone welcome, equal opportunities.


• A green, inviting campus that’s easily accessible by public transport.

For more information, please see our website and the CLA Dutch Universities.

Want to know more?

Would you like to know more before applying? Feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Sicco Verwer (Professor of AI for Cybersecurity), via [email protected], or dr. Drew Hendrickson (Head of Department DIS), via [email protected].

Want to apply?

We kindly invite you to apply before December 1; this can only be done online. Address your cover letter to Prof. Sicco Verwer and attach your resume. We look forward to your response.

The letter selection will take place on December 2. You will be notified as soon as possible thereafter. The first selection interviews will take place in December 2026.

The selection committee consists of:

1. Prof. Sicco Verwer, Professor of AI for Cybersecurity, Dept. Intelligent Systems


2. Dr. Peter Hendrix, Academic Director of MSc CSAI and AI & Cybersecurity programs


3. Dr. Görkem Saygili, Track Coordinator for AI & Cybersecurity program

You will ideally start working for Tilburg University on February 1, 2027.

This vacancy has been published simultaneously internally and externally. In case of equal suitability, our preference is for an internal candidate. It is possible a screening for knowledge security may be considered necessary as part of the evaluation of candidates.

About Tilburg University 

Tilburg University is the university in the humanities and social sciences. Ever since our foundation in 1927, we have been committed to a just, inclusive, and sustainable society. With leading research and inspiring education, we contribute to the interpretation and, where possible, solutions to current societal issues, from climate change to digitalization

Our community is personal, engaged, and small-scale. On our green, compact, and vibrant campus there is room for encounter, collaboration, reflection, and personal growth. Read more about Tilburg University.

Working at Tilburg University means working in an inclusive team with attractive employment conditions. At Tilburg University, you will receive ample opportunities to strengthen your talents and develop your career, in a warm working atmosphere where we attach great importance to the following values: curious, connected, caring, and courageous.

About the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD)

Research and education at the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) focuses on humans, technology, culture, and their interactions in a globalizing digital society. From the interplay of our disciplines, our research and education focuses on the development of artificial intelligence and interactive technologies, their influence on communication, culture and society, and moral and existential challenges that arise. The School of Humanities and Digital Sciences consists of six Departments: Communication and Cognition, Computational Cognitive Science, Intelligent Systems, Culture Studies, Philosophy, and the Tilburg Center of the Learning Sciences. Collaboration across disciplines is encouraged among both researchers and students. With this approach, we nurture a way of thinking that takes into account different perspectives and the diverse, sometimes conflicting needs and interests of people and society. At TSHD, we foster a culture of integrity, trust, diversity and inclusion, and constructive and critical dialogue. All members of our community are recognized and valued for their unique contributions.

University College Tilburg, with its interdisciplinary Liberal Articles and Sciences program, holds a unique position within the School. This collaboration with other Schools also includes the disciplines of economics, law, and the social sciences. Read more about the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD).

About the Research Center for Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence

The Research Center for Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence at Tilburg University is part of the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences. The center consists of reseachers from two departments, Intelligent Systems and Computational Cognitive Science. The group is responsible for the Bachelor and the Master program Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence, the master track on AI & Cybersecurity, is co-responsible for the university-wide data science Master program Data Science & Society, and is affiliated with the Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (http://www.jads.nl). Researchers in the Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence center have access to computer clusters, experimental lab facilities, and the virtual and mixed reality DAF Technology Lab and its sensing technologies (https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/campus/experiencing-virtual-reality/ ). Moreover, researchers play an important role in Mind Labs (http://www.mind-labs.eu ), an initiative that fosters collaborations between knowledge institutions and corporations in the field of interactive technologies and behavior.  

Recruitment code

Tilburg University applies the recruitmentcode of the Dutch Association for Personnel Management & Organization Development (NVP).

Disclaimer

The text of this vacancy advertisement is copyright-protected property of Tilburg University. Use, distribution and further disclosure of the advertisement without express permission from Tilburg University is not allowed, and this applies explicitly to use by recruitment and selection agencies which do not act directly on the instructions of Tilburg University. Responses resulting from recruitment by non-contractors of Tilburg Universities will not be handled.