Örebro University invites applications for a doctoral student position in Computer Science, focusing on Secure Coordination and Interaction in Distributed AI. This opportunity is part of the multi-disciplinary centre for cyber resilient AI, RESIST, a national initiative funded by the Swedish Strategic Research Foundation (SSF). RESIST unites leading researchers in AI and cybersecurity to develop innovative solutions for cyber resilient AI, aiming to make Sweden a global role model in secure, trustworthy AI. The centre’s research spans four themes: Trustworthy and Verifiable AI, Runtime Security Assurance, Robust and Secure AI-Supported Development, and Resilient Distributed and Agentic AI. This PhD position is aligned with the theme of Resilient Distributed and Agentic AI.

The research will address the interaction layer in multi-agent systems, focusing on safeguarding agent interactions against malicious manipulation, information leakage, protocol deviations, and unsafe behaviors. The project aims to generate secure interactions based on both emerging and pre-defined protocols for agent-to-agent, agent-to-environment, and agent-to-human communication. Interaction protocols are formally specified sets of rules governing permissible sequences of messages, actions, roles, and state transitions, defining information exchange, commitments, and coordinated behavior under constraints. These protocols can be learned from agent interactions, inferred from demonstrations and historical traces, or encoded from domain knowledge. The expected outcome is a framework for testing agent interactions based on formal specifications, with protocol robustness enhanced through execution guards derived from protocol specifications and agent activity observations, evaluated in sandboxed and real-world environments.

The research is closely integrated with other themes within RESIST, offering a stimulating and internationally connected environment. Outcomes will be validated in collaboration with industry and public-sector partners. RESIST also serves as a national hub for cyber resilient AI, promoting education, knowledge sharing, and policy development.

Supervision will be provided by Professor Amy Loutfi (primary) and Professor Franziska Klügl (secondary). The doctoral programme consists of courses and an independent research project culminating in a doctoral thesis. The programme comprises 240 credits, equivalent to four years of full-time study, and is linked to a full-time doctoral studentship for the duration of the programme. The initial salary is SEK 32,300 per month. Doctoral students benefit from tailored seminar series covering programme rules, career development, support, and networking.

Entry requirements include both general and specific criteria. General requirements are a second-cycle qualification, at least 240 credits (with 60 credits in the second cycle), or equivalent knowledge. Specific requirements for Computer Science are a Master of Science in Engineering or a one-year Master’s degree in a relevant subject, or at least 120 credits (with 30 credits in the second cycle and an independent project of at least 15 credits) in a main field relevant to computer science. Equivalent knowledge acquired in Sweden or abroad is also accepted. Application documents must be written in Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, or English; documents in other languages must be translated by an authorised translator.

Örebro University values openness, trust, respect, and diversity, actively promoting equal opportunities and gender equality. The application is made online, and applicants must submit a CV, proof of meeting entry requirements, independent project, relevant certificates, and a one-page description of research interests. The application deadline is 1st April 2026. For further information, contact Prof. Amy Loutfi ([email protected]) or Prof. Franziska Klügl ([email protected]). More details for applicants are available on the university’s career site.