Researcher track position: Security Research

We are looking for a researcher to join our Coherent Security Research Program

Your research will focus on critical infrastructure security as part of Laurea’s Coherent Security Research Programme. Key areas of your research may include cyber or hybrid security, risk management, decision-making, information sharing, resilience, and protection. You will apply for funding for research projects, lead these projects, conduct research and publishing, integrate the relevant themes into higher education studies, and supervise theses at Laurea.

Critical infrastructures today face complex and evolving risks and threats, placing increasing demands on operators to prepare for and respond to emerging challenges. Cyber and physical attacks significantly impact the security environment of critical infrastructures, as well as their protection and applied resilience. Moreover, the hybrid nature of these threats calls for large-scale, cross-sectoral, and innovative research. The focus of the research will be in civil security, carried out collaboratively with practitioners, industry, academia, and non-governmental organizations at both national and EU levels.

You possess in-depth knowledge of critical infrastructure security or related fields. You are a specialist in Information Systems and Services and are familiar with the information exchange systems used in areas such as border management or maritime surveillance (e.g., CISE). You are well-acquainted with, and well-connected to, key European actors in the domain and have a solid understanding of current national and international research initiatives, including relevant definitions, regulations, and directives.

A key objective of your research is to advance knowledge on emerging forms of critical infrastructure security and to contribute to the development of innovative information sharing solutions. This includes, for instance, leveraging cutting-edge systems and techniques such as data fusion, artificial intelligence, and advanced risk management and decision-making tools. Your work will benefit significantly from the national and international networks and collaborations established by Laurea University of Applied Sciences.

Laurea is recognized for its strong expertise in safety and security-related research, development and innovation activities. Coherent Security is one of Laurea’s three strategic Research Programmes. Currently, Laurea holds the largest share of Horizon Europe funding among all Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences, with the majority of these projects aligned with the Coherent Security Research Programme.

This position is a researcher track position and more information on the researcher track at Laurea University of Applied Sciences can be found here: Researcher career track recruitment and promotion procedures - Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu.

The top applicants will be given these assessments, including the names of the other top candidates. Please attach your CV using this CV model: template of researchers-curriculum-vitae and your list of publications.

Further information:

Vice President (RDI) Mari Vuolteenaho +358 50 4085 951 (14.7.2025 at 9-10 CET and 4.8.2025 at 12-13 CET), [email protected]

Research Programme Director (Coherent Security) Jarmo Seppälä +358 50 5364 518 (4.7.2025 at 9-10 CET, 8.7. at 9-10 CET ja 10.7. at 13-14 CET), [email protected].

What we need from you

• Doctoral Degree in relevant field
• Experience in successfully applying for research funding
• Prior knowledge of information exchange and/or decision-making systems (service and tools)
• Expertise in critical infrastructure security or another related field of security research
• Experience in high-level academic publishing
• Project management experience
  
  

What we would also like from you

• Prior knowledge of maritime security environment and technological systems of border control and maritime surveillance
• Good oral and excellent written communication skills in English
• Experience in international teamwork and good collaboration skills
• Genuine interest in developing yourself as a professional
  
  

Benefits

The annual salary is between 43 000 € and 52 000 € on researcher track level 1, and between 50 000 € and 65 000 € on researcher track level 2.