Research Fellow, Internet of Things and Security Research Group

London, United Kingdom
£33,199 to £38,460 plus £3640 London weighting per annum
27 Mar 2019
26 Apr 2019
1906-E
Fixed Term
Full Time

School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences

Location:      Greenwich
Salary:      £33,199 to £38,460 plus £3640 London weighting per annum
Contract Type:      Fixed Term
Closing Date:      Friday 26 April 2019
Interview Date:      To be confirmed

Faculty of Liberal Arts and Science

Internet of Things and Security Research Group

School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences

Dr. Ralph Barthel (R.A.Barthel@gre.ac.uk)

Based in the Internet of Things and Security Research Group, the fellow will complement on-going activities in the area of Human Data Interaction (HDI) in the Internet of Things (IoT). In IoT and Cyber-Physical systems, where sensors, actuators, cloud computing and embedded artificial intelligence merge cyber space with physical space, protecting IoT data privacy means protecting physical privacy too, and as such requires new paradigms for users to interact with data generated by and in physical space. The issue from an HDI perspective is that personal data about people is increasingly generated within IoT infrastructures by passive mundane interactions as opposed to explicit interactions. The resulting data is increasingly accessible for third party use and frequently this data is outside of the control of the people that produced it and can be redistributed without seeking permission. Examples of such passive scenarios of data collection include the generation of travel patterns, data about energy usage and consumption in smart homes, smart health related data and interactions in IoT enabled retail spaces.

Specifically, there is a need for research that investigates suitable human-centered models of how we interact with the data that we generate in IoT. Models of human data interaction that are based on binary one-time consent or that allow limitless re-use of data by third parties without giving any control to the people the data is about are neither sufficient nor desirable or suitable to manage and engage with our personal digital data on a day to day basis. The issues of ownership and control of personal data in digital spaces are complex and require new models and principles of HDI. The fellowship will provide an opportunity for research on these issues. We are looking for applications from researchers with a strong track record in areas such as Human Data Interaction (HDI), Privacy, Security and Trust of IoT and Cyber-Physical systems, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) of Cyber-Physical systems.

The appointee will collaborate with other members of the IoT and Security research team in developing research projects, submitting research proposals, pursuing external partnerships and producing high-impact publications. The newly formed IoT and Security (ISEC) research group consists of 20 lecturers, post-doc research fellows and PhD researchers, and has already attracted several new H2020 and other research projects in its first months of operation. It offers a vibrant environment for conducting research with several different types of IoT infrastructure (robots, IoT living labs and cloud/edge computing testbeds) and the opportunity for research fellows to grow their profile rapidly.

Additional information

The Fellowship offers:

The Leaders Scheme is designed for early career researchers, and it is expected that candidates would normally have between three and six years post-doctoral experience. Candidates will be assessed on their track record relative to their career stage, personal aspirations and collaborative potential to the existing research excellence within the recruiting unit.

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

How to apply

The application process is a two-stage one; (1) it requires you to contact your host Faculty/Department to discuss your research aspirations, and to (2) also complete a formal online application. You will be required to supply a research grant proposal in the format of a discipline-specific UKRI application.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, with representatives from the Faculty/Department and be chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise).

We aim to be an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.