Post Doc Researcher Security and Systems - Cambridge Residency Programme

Overview

Microsoft's Azure Research is seeking a motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in Security and Systems.  

Our team conducts pioneering research in the design and analysis of systems that guarantee strong security and privacy properties to cloud users, and in novel applications that are enabled by emerging security and privacy technology. As part of our work, we are designing: 

• New systems and virtualization software, languages, runtimes, protocols, and libraries that can guarantee safety and security by construction; 
• New services such as databases, transparency services, and AI platforms that utilize high-assurance components to ensure end-to-end security and privacy properties; 
• New security primitives in general-purpose processors and specialized hardware accelerators; 
• New analysis, and tools for side-channel resilience and privacy.  

We place strong emphasis on systems that can be deployed at scale in the real world. We work in close collaboration with external and internal research organizations, as well as with Microsoft product teams. Please find more information about our team and its current focus areas through the projects and publications pages at Azure Research - Security and Privacy. 

As a key member of our innovative team, you will play a crucial role in advancing the field of security, privacy, and confidential computing. 

Responsibilities

• Conduct cutting-edge research in the areas of systems and virtualization with a focus on enhancing the security, and performance of cloud computing environments, leading to top-tier publications. 
• Design and develop prototypes that experimentally validate this research. 
• Conduct thorough security assessments of systems, identifying potential vulnerabilities and proposing mitigation strategies. 
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including software engineers, security experts, and data scientists, to integrate research findings into practical solutions for security and privacy in the cloud. 

Qualifications

Required/Minimum Qualifications:  

An ideal candidate has the following qualifications:

• Ph.D. or equivalent research experience in Security and Privacy, Operating Systems, and/or Computer Architecture. 
• Proven track record of conducting impactful research in these areas demonstrated through publications in reputable conferences and journals. 
• Familiarity with security principles and practices in securing systems in cloud computing environments, with a focus on virtualization and/or microarchitectural security. 
• Proficiency in programming languages such as C and/or Rust, and their use in system-level development, operating systems, and virtualization is highly desirable. 
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team and present research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. 
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, propose innovative solutions, and implement them effectively. 

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

• Industry-leading healthcare
• Educational resources
• Discounts on products and services
• Savings and investments
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Generous time away
• Giving programs
• Opportunities to network and connect