European MSCA Doctoral Network PhD Scholarship (DC12) – SPRING – Cyprus

Summary

The KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence (KIOS CoE) at the University of Cyprus (UCY-KIOS) announces one (1) full-time MSCA Doctoral Candidate (PhD) position. This scholarship is part of the European MSCA Doctoral Network “Resilience experts in future large-scale critical infrastructures” (SPRING) (2026–2030). The successful candidate will conduct interdisciplinary research focusing on advancing Digital Twin (DT) technology for enhancing the resilience of interconnected Critical Infrastructures (CIs).

Designation

MSCA Doctoral Candidate (PhD)

Scholarship Details

Research Area

The research focuses on the resilience of interconnected cyber-physical critical infrastructures. Specifically, the successful candidate will work on advancing Digital Twin (DT) technology to enhance the resilience of CIs, addressing limitations related to scalability, interoperability, cascading failures, and real-time data integration. This includes developing a scalable DT framework combining formal methods, modeling and simulation, knowledge engineering, and adaptive AI. The research will investigate anticipatory self-adaptation, LLM-supported human-interpretable diagnostics, explainable AI, and real-time risk-aware incident response. It also aims to develop a reusable library of intelligent software agents to provide resilience-as-a-service across multiple CI sectors, including energy, water, and transportation.

Project Objectives:

• Develop anticipatory defense, automated diagnosis, and real-time risk-aware response mechanisms for future Critical Infrastructures.
• Create a scalable, long-lasting library of resilience agents and supporting training materials for energy, water, and transport infrastructures.
• Bridge academia and industry by validating explainable AI, formal methods, and human-centered approaches in real-world industrial environments.

Location

University of Cyprus (UCY), Nicosia, Cyprus

Eligibility/Qualification

General Requirements:

• Applicants may be of any nationality.
• At the date of recruitment, applicants must not have been awarded a doctoral degree.
• Must satisfy the MSCA Doctoral Network mobility rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Cyprus for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment.
• Meet the admission requirements of the Electrical Engineering or Computer Engineering PhD program at the University of Cyprus.

Academic Background:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and/or Electronic/Computer/Control Engineering, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics or related areas.
• A strong background in systems and control and/or cyber-physical systems, with demonstrated competence in mathematical modeling, simulation, and scientific programming.
• Ability to formulate mathematical and computational models, develop and implement computational methods, analyze complex interconnected systems, and conduct rigorous simulation- and software-based research.
• Strong programming skills and the ability to design modular research software are particularly desirable.

Language Proficiency:

A very good knowledge of the English language, demonstrated by one of the following:

• IGCSE: at least C grade
• IELTS Academic: a minimum total score of 6.5
• Test of English as a foreign language (ETS TOEFL®): a minimum score of 550 (paper based), 213 (computer based) or 80 (internet-based)

Additional Skills:

• Strong writing and communication skills compatible with an entry-level research position.
• Capacity to work both as an independent researcher and as part of an international team.
• Willingness to actively contribute to SPRING network activities, including training events, workshops, dissemination activities, and project meetings.

Advantageous Experience:

• Knowledge of one or more of the following: machine learning, optimization, state estimation, formal methods and system verification, distributed or multi-agent systems, and data-driven analysis of dynamic systems.
• Previous research or project experience in one or more of the following: Digital Twins, critical infrastructure modeling, resilience, cyber-physical security, formal specification and verification, distributed and concurrent systems, knowledge representation and ontologies, domain-specific modeling languages, intelligent or multi-agent systems, and distributed software architectures.
• Peer-reviewed scientific publications, research projects, open-source software contributions, or a research-oriented MSc thesis.

Scholarship Description

The PhD Scholarship offers a monthly competitive salary to cover living allowance (€2,845.92 gross salary), social and health insurance (according to the University of Cyprus regulations), mobility (€689.99 gross amount) plus a family allowance (if the candidate is married or in an equivalent relationship: €481.05 gross amount) per month, following the European MSCA Doctoral Network rules. The position includes University tuition fees. The scholarship will be offered for a minimum of three years, subject to annual performance evaluation.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following items online through both of the following application systems:

1. UCY Application Systems: https://applications.ucy.ac.cy/recruitment
2. SPRING Application System: https://forms.gle/FE9BffYwmQ1yK6mM6

Note that incomplete applications or applications not submitted concurrently in both portals will NOT be considered.

Required Documents:

• Cover letter specifying interest in the SPRING PhD Scholarship position.
• A statement with a short description of academic and research experiences as well as the reasons for applying for the specific scholarship (1 page).
• A statement with the candidate’s future research plans in context of the announced project position (up to 1 page).
• A detailed curriculum vitae in English, which includes a list of publications (if any).
• Copies of official BSc/MSc degree(s) as well as copies of official transcripts for each degree (if the original language of the degree/transcript is not Greek or English, copies of official translations are also required).
• Copy of English language proficiency certificate.
• Provide contact details of at least two academic referees who can provide letters of recommendation.

Last Date for Apply

Friday, 16th of October 2026

Apply Link

• UCY Application Systems
• SPRING Application System