Doctoral Student in Software Engineering for Secure Systems University of Gothenburg in Sweden

The University of Gothenburg invites applications for a doctoral student position in software engineering for secure systems, located at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. This department is a joint venture with Chalmers University of Technology and is recognized for its international environment and strong research profile in software-intensive systems. The position is based in the Division for Interaction Design and Software Engineering, one of the largest academic software engineering research groups globally, with expertise spanning AI engineering, software testing, requirements engineering, and automotive software engineering.

The doctoral project focuses on developing an automated framework to capture, structure, and verify security knowledge throughout the software lifecycle. The research addresses the lack of explicit security requirements in early development and the challenges of compliance verification in complex and ML-enabled systems. The project combines empirical research (such as case studies and interviews) with tool development (including static analyzers and traceability mechanisms) to bridge the gap between security requirements and their implementation. The aim is to reduce vulnerabilities caused by overlooked or misaligned requirements and to enable continuous compliance checks, especially in systems incorporating machine learning components.

As a doctoral student, you will conduct empirical studies to understand how security knowledge is documented and used in practice, develop automated tools primarily in Java (with possible use of C/C++ or Python), collaborate with academic partners, and publish your findings in top-tier venues. All developed tools will be open-sourced for community use. The position offers a supportive academic environment, opportunities for international collaboration, and the chance to contribute to safer and more reliable software systems.

This is a five-year, full-time position, with 80% dedicated to doctoral studies (equivalent to four years) and up to 20% departmental duties such as teaching or administration. Employment is fixed-term, with salary and social benefits according to Swedish regulations. Physical presence in Gothenburg is required for the duration of the studies.

Applicants must have a second-cycle degree or equivalent, fluency in English, and proficiency in Java (with possible use of C/C++ or Python). A basic understanding of security engineering principles is required, and experience with static/dynamic analysis tools, model-driven engineering, software verification, security testing, or regulatory compliance is advantageous. Swedish language skills are not required, and courses are offered for those interested. International applicants are welcome, but must secure a valid residence permit before starting.

To apply, submit your application via the University of Gothenburg’s recruitment portal by March 31, 2026. The application should include a one-page summary of your track record and motivation, education certificates, CV, letters of recommendation, evidence of written work, and links to relevant software repositories. For further information, contact Sven Peldszus (project), Eric Knauss (position), or Jenny Lind (appointment procedure).