Postdoc position in Secure Distributed AI Systems

AI training and inference are moving beyond single data centers and onto wide-area networks that no single party controls. Yet the defenses needed to secure these systems against network-based threats are still largely missing. How can we secure distributed AI when the network itself cannot be trusted? In this postdoc, you will build your own research line on defenses against network-based threats, combining precise security guarantees with evaluation on real systems. At Chalmers, you will join a growing network security group, collaborate with Doctoral students and supervise MSc theses within your research area. About us The Department of Computer Science and Engineering, a joint department of Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg, spans the breadth of computing disciplines. Our internationally visible research, strong industry links and diverse environment create a collaborative setting where ideas grow into real impact. At the division of Computer and Network Systems, we design secure, dependable and high-performance computer and communication systems that meet the demands of an increasingly digital and interconnected world. You will join Secura Lab, led by Assistant Professor Muoi Tran. Secura Lab works on network security: protecting the infrastructure that modern digital systems depend on from emerging network threats. Although the lab is young, it has an excellent track record at top-tier security and blockchain conferences. We believe a healthy work-life balance is key to excellent research. You can also find a letter to prospective members on our website, securalab.org. About the research project This project will establish the lab's defense-driven research on distributed AI. Distributed training, inference and AI agents assume that the networks connecting them behave honestly, while the lab's current projects study how that assumption breaks. You will model what network adversaries can do to these systems, design protocols and architectures that stay correct when part of the network is adversarial, state precisely what they guarantee, and evaluate them through large-scale experiments on real systems. The goal is to lay secure-by-design foundations for the next generation of distributed AI platforms and develop a research line that you lead. Who we are looking for The following requirements are mandatory:

• A doctoral degree in computer science, computer engineering or a related field, with a focus on security, networking, distributed systems, formal methods or applied cryptography, or an equivalent foreign degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made
• First-author publications at leading international venues in security, systems or networking.
• Experience designing, analyzing or evaluating the security of protocols or distributed systems.
• Strong systems and programming skills: including experience building, deploying and evaluating prototypes on real software.
• Very good written and spoken English. Swedish is not required.

The following experience will strengthen your application:

• It is highly meritorious if the doctoral degree has been obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• Experience designing defenses with formal or provable guarantees, for example secure protocol design, formal verification or Byzantine fault tolerance.
• Experience with peer-to-peer systems, blockchains, Internet routing security or ML systems (distributed training, inference serving or LLM agents).
• Experience with Internet measurement or large-scale experiments, and released research artifacts.
• Teaching or MSc supervision experience.

What you will do

• Lead your own research line on defenses for distributed AI systems, and publish as first author at top security and systems venues.
• Work closely with the lab's PhD students on the defensive parts of their projects.
• Teach in the division's courses as an assistant and supervise MSc theses within your research line (20% of your time).
• Run the weekly lab meeting and be the first point of contact for students' day-to-day research questions.
• Present your work at international conferences and build collaborations with academia and industry.

Contract terms The position is a temporary full-time employment for two years with the possibility of a one-year extension. The position requires physical presence throughout the entire employment. A valid residence permit must be presented by the start date, otherwise the offer may be withdrawn. What we offer

• As a postdoc at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
• Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.

Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities. If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in. Application procedure The application should be written in English be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files. CV

• A comprehensive CV, including a complete list of publications.
• Details of previous teaching and pedagogical experience.

Personal letter

• A brief introduction about yourself.
• A summary of your previous research fields and key research outcomes.
• An outline of your future goals and research focus.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. A background check may be conducted as part of the application process. Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact details to references will be requested after the interview. We welcome your application no later than 31 January 2027 For questions, please contact: Assistant Professor Muoi Tran Email: muoi@chalmers.se Phone: +46 31 772 28 98 We look forward to your application! * Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. * Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society. Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward. Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!