Summary: The Department of Computing at the Faculty of Technology is seeking a full-time Doctoral Researcher to conduct research on the privacy protection, security enhancement, and vulnerability research of Generative AI, with a focus on quantum-secure, federated GenAI frameworks. This is a funded position integrated into a high-impact Horizon Europe research project.
Doctoral Researcher in Secure GenAI Scholarship Opportunity, University of Turku, Finland
Designation: Doctoral Researcher
Location: University of Turku, Finland
Research Area:
- Privacy Preservation in GenAI (Federated Learning, Differential Privacy, post-quantum cryptography)
- Vulnerability Attack & Defense on GenAI (adversarial threats, verifiable secure ML solutions)
Eligibility/Qualification:
- MSc degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Solid foundation in cybersecurity and adversarial machine learning.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Good communication skills in English (written and spoken, e.g., IELTS or TOEFL).
- Programming skills (e.g., Python, C++, Rust).
- Interest in collaborative research with academia and industry.
- Eligibility for a doctoral degree at the University of Turku.
Job Description:
As a PhD candidate, you will conduct deep-dive research into the security of GenAI, specifically focusing on quantum-secure, federated GenAI frameworks. You will be part of an interdisciplinary team collaborating with leading academic experts and industrial security architects across Europe. Your work will involve:
- Investigating the integration of Federated Learning, Differential Privacy, and post-quantum cryptographic primitives within GenAI training and inference workflows.
- Developing robust defense mechanisms against adversarial threats and verifiable secure ML solutions.
- Designing, developing, and implementing state-of-the-art, post-quantum secure GenAI protocols and algorithms.
- Collaborating with top-tier European universities and industrial partners.
- Participating in project implementation and reporting.
- Contributing to academic life by supervising students and assisting in teaching.
- Engaging in training opportunities, including proposal writing and high-impact scientific publishing.
Benefits:
- Fully funded doctoral researcher position.
- Opportunities to publish in top-tier journals and conferences.
- Collaboration and visits to outstanding European universities and industrial partners.
- Training courses for academic researchers.
- Vibrant, international, and supportive research community.
- Flexible working hours and well-being services.
- HR Excellence in Research quality label.
Salary:
The salary is determined based on the university’s salary system for teaching and research personnel and will range from approximately 2500–2700 euros/month at the beginning of employment, depending on previous experience and skills.
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted through the University of Turku’s online recruitment system. Required documents include:
- Motivation letter (max 1 page, specifying research interests, experiences in cybersecurity, privacy, and defense for GenAI)
- Research plan (max 1 page)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- List of publications (if applicable)
- Copies of Bachelor and MSc degree certificates in English or Finnish
- Other documents affecting the decision-making (e.g., awards, English proficiency certificate like IELTS/TOEFL)
Last Date for Apply: 17 August 2026 at 16:00 (Europe/Helsinki). Applications can be submitted between 25 June 2026 and 17 August 2026.
