We are seeking a motivated researcher to join an EPSRC-funded project on the cyber security of digital medical devices. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to research addressing one of the major challenges in modern healthcare: ensuring that connected medical technologies are safe, secure and resilient.

The post is available as either Research Associate or Senior Research Associate, depending on qualifications and experience. It is offered full-time for 18 months in the first instance, starting in October 2026. 

You will work on a cutting-edge interdisciplinary project that aims to identify cyber security vulnerabilities and develop innovative technological solutions for digital medical devices used within the health service. The role will involve close collaboration with experts in computer science, cyber security and medical sciences, as well as engagement with NHS clinical partners and professionals from the medical device industry.

You will join Lancaster University’s growing Security and Protection Science community, which brings together expertise to address major societal and technological security challenges. Cyber security research and education at Lancaster has been strengthened through a £19 million investment in staff, equipment and infrastructure, building on the University’s reputation as one of the UK’s largest interdisciplinary cyber and data research communities.

You should have, or expect to obtain by the time of appointment, a good undergraduate degree and relevant experience in one or more of the following areas:

• embedded systems
• wireless communication systems, including Bluetooth-based communications
• secure cyber systems
• Internet of Things technologies
• software engineering

Experience in medical technologies, cyber security, or practical work with embedded systems and wireless communications would be particularly advantageous but not essential. A Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant area would be desirable but is not essential for the position.

The postholder will be based in Lancaster University’s School of Computing and Communications, working closely with Lancaster Medical School and the University’s interdisciplinary Security and Protection Science community.

Applications should include a one-page expression of interest and a two-page CV.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place in September 2026. Start date for this position is October 2026. 

For informal enquiries please contact Dr. Matthew Bradbury (M.S.Bradbury@lancaster.ac.uk) or Prof. Nigel Davies (n.a.davies@lancaster.ac.uk) in the School of Computing and Communications, or Prof. Neil Reeves in the Medical School (n.d.reeves1@lancaster.ac.uk). 

Closing Date: 30 Aug 2026

Department: Research

Salary: £33,002 to £37,694 (Full time, indefinite with end date)

We seek to appoint 1 full-time post-doctoral research associate (starting Summer 2026) to complete a team of 4 researchers who are exploring novel concepts for security controls and assurance in converged and ultra-large scale infrastructures.

The successful candidate for this role will develop new techniques for orchestrating security controls in dynamic and complex systems undergoing frequent changes to their function and security requirements. This work will involve researching how to introduce interactions between security controls to achieve security goals and exploring the trade-offs of doing so. We seek to appoint a researcher who has either experience in abstract modelling of distributed systems or practical experience deploying and experimenting with security controls.

As a Programme Grant there is considerable flexibility in this research agenda. This allows the right candidate to have a significant ability to direct their research activities. This is a great opportunity for an individual to build their research career.

Key duties of this post include:

• Conducting original research to orchestrate security in future complex distributed systems.
• Developing high quality and impactful publications.
• Collaborating with academic, industry partners and other EPSRC projects.

 The successful candidate will have a PhD in Computer Science or equivalent with experience in cyber security or distributed systems.

The School of Computing and Communications at Lancaster University offers a highly inclusive and stimulating environment for career development, and you will be exposed to a range of further opportunities over the course of this post. We are committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies, as well as the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises and celebrates good employment practice undertaken to address gender equality in higher education and research.

You will join us on an indefinite contract; however, the role remains contingent on external funding, which for these roles initially ends after 24 months (with the possibility to extend further).

The candidates will be working under the direct supervision of Prof. Neeraj Suri (neeraj.suri@lancaster.ac.uk)  and Dr. Matthew Bradbury (m.s.bradbury@lancaster.ac.uk). We welcome enquires prior to the submission of an application!

Closing Date: 01 Sep 2026

Department: Research

Salary: £39,355 to £45,413 (Full time, indefinite with end date)