Research Assistant/Post-Doctoral Researcher

We are seeking a highly motivated researcher to join the UCC Security Research Group and the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics. The position will contribute to the project Migrants' Digital Spaces (MIGDIS), a multidisciplinary initiative exploring technology-assisted analysis of home, border, and belonging, while also contributing to Insight research objectives in privacy/security. The successful candidate will investigate privacy risks in online digital spaces, focusing on communities that connect people across countries and those tied to specific physical locations, such as city-based forums. The research will examine potential privacy breaches, including de-anonymisation attacks, and develop countermeasures using techniques such as differential privacy and cryptographic protocols. This work will require close collaboration with social scientists and other stakeholders, ensuring that technical solutions are informed by societal and ethical considerations. The ideal applicant holds a PhD in Computer Science or related disciplines and has experience in cyber security and privacy research. They should have a good track record in relevant conferences and journals and has a track record in one or more of the following research areas: privacy enhancing technologies, differential privacy, anonymity, re-identification, and/or cryptography. Previous experience in working on interdisciplinary projects is an asset. Preference will be given to candidates at postdoctoral level. If the selected candidate has not yet completed their PhD, they will be appointed at the research assistant level. The researcher will be hosted within a vibrant environment at UCC, with access to national and international collaborations through Insight. The role offers opportunities to publish in leading venues, engage in dissemination activities such as European Researchers' Night, and contribute to shaping privacy-preserving technologies for online communities. The Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics ( is an SFI funded Research Centre that brings together researchers from University College Dublin, NUI Galway, University College Cork, and Dublin City University, as well as other partner institutions, Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University of Limerick (UL), Maynooth University (MU) and Tyndall National Institute. It creates a critical mass of more than 400 researchers from Ireland's leading ICT clusters to carry out research on a new generation of data analytics technologies in a number of key application domain areas, such as Health and Human Performance, Smart Communities, Internet of Things, Enterprise and Services and Sustainability and Operations. Achievement of the expected progression within Post Doc and Senior Post Doc is transferable between the Irish HEI's. This can be reflected in the starting pay of a PD researcher. Similarly, as the PD scheme is an intergenerational training scheme completion of PD1 or PD 2 levels in one HEI will normally render that researcher ineligible for appointment at a similar level in another Irish HEI Researcher Career Development Framework | Irish Universities Association Project Title: Migrants' Digital Spaces: Technology-assisted analysis of home, border and belonging (MIGDIS) and Insight Research Centre for Data Analytics. Post Duration: 12 Months Whole-Time Post Salary: €33,291 - €43,372 p.a. IUA Research Assistant Scale OR €46,306 - €52,863 p.a. IUA PD1 Post-Doctoral Scale For an information package including further details of the post see Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr. Paolo Palmieri, School of Computer Science & Information Technology, Email: Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to quoting the job-title and project name. Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) Friday, December 19th, 2025 No late applications will be accepted. Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector. UCC is committed to creating and fully embracing an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated. As a University we strive to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our student population where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively. UCC is committed to being an employer that recognises the value of diversity amongst its staff. We encourage applicants to consult our policies at and initiatives at and we welcome applications from everyone, including those who are underrepresented in the protected characteristics set out in our Equal Opportunities & Diversity Policy. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page. To start the process, click the Apply button below to Login/Register.