Sustainable Cybersecurity Framework for Operational Technology Protocols (CS2-FES-01-23)

The University of Greenwich's Department of Computing and Mathematical Sciences is offering a funded PhD position focused on developing a Sustainable Cybersecurity Framework for Operational Technology (OT) Protocols. Many OT protocols, which are integral to industrial and control systems, suffer from significant security weaknesses. Existing solutions, such as the cybersecurity maturity model and key management, often have limitations: they may focus on limited security specifications, fail to capture adversarial actions, or rely on prior procedures without systematic methodologies for attack discovery. This research project aims to address these gaps by designing and deploying a comprehensive framework to assess and optimize the security of OT protocols. The approach will utilize string and frequency analyses to identify necessary security specifications and apply a novel split-lightweight cryptographic algorithm to enhance protocol security. The goal is to produce sustainable OT protocols with guarantees in security, performance, and usability. Research areas include Cyber Security, Internet of Things, Quantum Computing, Software Engineering, and Control Systems. The project is supervised by Dr S Sani, Prof G Loukas, and Dr G Sakellari, who bring expertise in cybersecurity and protocol analysis. The successful candidate will join a vibrant research environment and contribute to advancing the security of critical infrastructure. Funding is available in the form of a bursary: Year 1 offers £20,780 (full-time) or pro-rata (part-time), with Years 2 and 3 in line with UKRI rates. Additionally, a contribution to tuition fees equivalent to the university’s Home rate (£5,006 full-time or pro-rata part-time) is provided for the duration of the scholarship. International applicants are required to pay the remainder of the tuition fee, which is subject to annual increases. Applicants should possess a first or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. A strong background in cybersecurity, cryptography, and protocol analysis is highly desirable. Experience with OT protocols, software engineering, and quantitative analysis methods will be advantageous. International candidates must meet English language requirements (such as IELTS or equivalent). The application deadline is April 30, 2026. Interested candidates should apply online via the University of Greenwich application portal, submitting a CV, academic transcripts, and a personal statement. For further information, contact the Department of Computing and Mathematical Sciences. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in cybersecurity and OT protocol optimization at a leading UK institution.