PhD Research Fellowship in Organizational Security

The position is intended to address issues related to system dynamics models of security in organizations, including complexes of organizations such as society. Topics such as the protection of critical infrastructure (ICT-based networks providing crucial services to society in communication, energy production and distribution, health, etc) from an HRO perspective (High Reliability Organizations)are of particular interest.

Potential research topics for the PhD study include one or several of the following topics:

• Continuous improvement of security in critical infrastructure as a quality improvement process
• Crisis management, including management of large scale crises that disrupt emergency procedures (“management of disorganization”)
  • Crises as catalysts for necessary processes of change
• Crisis prevention, with an emphasis on well-timed reaction based on observation of precursors
  • Resilience against external attacks
  • Resilience against large scale natural disasters
  • Resilience against malicious insider attacks
  • Health, safety and environment implications of information security in eOperations
  • Resilience in eHealth services

Research topics could range from modelling empirical cases to theory finding. The PhD candidate, in cooperation with the supervisors, is expected to identify a promising research topic within three months after appointment as PhD Research Fellow. During this process, the candidate may make use of the department’s existing collaborative ties to an international research network comprising a number of highly ranked universities and research institutions in Europe and the USA.

The following requirements must be met:

• Solid knowledge of system dynamics
• Master’s degree in a field relevant to the PhD programme in ICT (e.g. ICT, security, eHealth, environmental issues, other critical infrastructure sectors with strong ICT dependence)

Emphasis will be given to the applicant’s qualifications in the following areas:

• Professional experience including consulting
• Publications in relevant fields
• Experience in group processes (group model building or similar).

The appointee must be able to work in an enthusiastic, goal-oriented, organised, focused and independent manner. During the assessment process, emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s examination results as well as any previous research and development work. Relevant practical experience, personal suitability and good teamwork skills will also be emphasised.

The Research Fellow must be admitted to the University of Agder’s PhD programme in ICT within three months of appointment. For information on admission requirements, see

www.uia.no/tekreal/phd/ict

The following requirements must be met:

The average grade for courses included in the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) must be C or higher.

• The average grade for courses included in the master's degree (or equivalent) must be B or higher.
• The master's thesis (or equivalent) must have a grade B or higher.

A high level of oral and written proficiency in English is required. Applicants from certain  countries must document their English skills through one of the following tests, with the stated results or better:

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 550 on the Paper-based Test (PBT), or 80 on the Internet based Test (iBT).

IELTS – International English Language Testing System, with a result of 6.0.

Closing date: 28 February 2011

For further information

http://uia.easycruit.com/vacancy/485027/35071?iso=gb