Job Title
Postdoctoral Researcher - Language-Based Security
Commitment to On-Campus Experience
Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus. Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.
Pay Range
$60,450 - $65,000
Pay Determination
Salary offers at Syracuse University will be based on education, experience, and relevant skills, as well as the academic or professional discipline of the position in the context of the home department, school, or college. Salary offers may also be influenced by prior relevant work or industry experience, where applicable. Faculty pay ranges are for 8.5 months’ salary unless otherwise specified.
Hours
As determined by principal investigator.
Unionized Position Code
UA
Job Description
Prof. Kristopher Micinski at Syracuse University (SU), in Syracuse, NY is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to work in the area of language-based security, utilizing a variety of approaches, including (but not limited to) security type systems, static / dynamic analysis for security properties, and information flow (especially its static and dynamic enforcement). Prof. Micinski’s work is primarily focused on automated reasoning, with applications to static/dynamic analysis of security properties of programs. The successful candidate will join Prof. Kristopher Micinski’s research group in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. This postdoctoral position is available in Fall 2025.
This position is part of a bargaining unit and is represented by the union SEIU, Local 200United.
Qualifications
Doctoral degree in Computer Science. Exceptional candidates from other fields are also welcome to apply.
Job Specific Qualifications
- Proven track record of publishing at competitive venues in programming languages, security, or a related field with applications to computer security.
- Experience with the design of static / dynamic enforcement mechanisms for information flow (or similar security-relevant) and similar relational properties.
- Experience with the usage of interactive proof assistants (such as Lean, Coq, or Agda) in formalizing metatheory for security-relevant properties of programming languages.
- Highly motivated to work with an interdisciplinary team of students as well as internal (SU) and external academic and industry collaborators.
Responsibilities
The Postdoctoral Researcher will carry out basic and applied research to support sponsored projects and prepare research papers for publication. In addition to the primary research duties, the Postdoctoral Researcher will also (1) mentor graduate and undergraduate students working on different projects; (2) collaborate and participate in submitting research proposals to funding agencies; and (3) work with researchers from multiple disciplines across campus as well as internal (SU) and external academic and industry collaborators.
The Postdoctoral Researcher will split their time half and half between two projects. The first project is Assemblage (https://assemblage-dataset.net/), a project on large-scale binary analysis using a mix of reasoning techniques from programming languages (with collaborations in machine learning and symbolic AI) for security. The second project is an NSF PPoSS Large, which involves scaling automated reasoning and declarative languages on modern hardware, including GPUs, servers, and supercomputing clusters. The candidate is expected to dedicate roughly half their time collaborating directly with and mentoring Dr. Micinski’s PhD students on these projects; the other half of the time will be spent collaborating on projects that fall within the scope of the mutual interests of the Postdoctoral Researcher, Dr. Micinski, and the two sponsored projects listed above. Example projects include (but are not limited to) declarative (de)compilation, type systems / static analysis for relational or security properties, and semantic binary similarity matching.
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a curriculum vitae and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
