About the Project
Project Key Words: Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, Network Investigations, Artificial Intelligence
Post summary
Recent media and intelligence reports have drawn significant focus to the growth or deployment of a short-lived information gathering technology called Obfuscation Relay Boxes (ORBs). ORBs are increasingly being used by advanced persistent threats (APTs) and state-sponsored actors for espionage, intellectual property theft, and pre-positioning within critical infrastructure. This project investigates techniques for the identification, detection, fingerprinting and tracking of ORBs on backbone networks. The research looks at the use of JA4 fingerprinting of TLS connections, the application of category theory to provide a mathematical means of modelling the ORB activity and interactions on the network. Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) will leverage the categorical model's principles as a regularization term in its loss function, enabling the detection of ORB-induced anomalies with high precision and interpretability.
Qualifications
Essential
- Honours Degree (minimum 2:1) or equivalent in computer science, maths, engineering or similar technical discipline.
Desirable
- Master's degree in Computer Science/Digital Forensics (or related).
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- General knowledge of Computer Science.
- Strong programming ability.
- Clear understanding of the commitment requirements for PhD research.
Desirable
- Experience of Cybersecurity.
- Experience of Digital Forensics.
- Experience of Networks / Network Protocols.
- Experience of Artificial Intelligence.
- Experience of LATEX.
- Research experience.
- Existing academic publication record.
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate on application that they meet SETU’s English language requirements and provide all necessary documentation. See Page 7 of the Code of Practice
- In order to be shortlisted for interview, you must meet the SETU English speaking requirements so please provide evidence in your application.
Desirable
- Excellent written and verbal communication.
- Public Speaking.
- Project Management.
- Critical Thinking.
- Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team.
Further information
For any informal queries, please contact Dr John Sheppard on email john.sheppard@setu.ie.
Application procedure
Complete the online Application Form from the SETU website quoting the advert reference code SETU_2025_10_WSCH.
Please ensure that you upload all supporting documents as part of your submission.
***Please note that applications must be submitted by this route.***
For queries relating to the application and admission process please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office via email researchadmissions@setu.ie or telephone +353 (0)51 302883.
University Website: https://www.setu.ie
The University will short-list and interview those applicants who provide the most suitable information in terms of experience, qualifications and other requirements relevant to the scholarship.
SOUTH EAST TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (SETU) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Funding Notes
PhD Scholarship
Duration: 4 Years/48 Months
Status: Full-time
Funding information: SETU 2025 Presidents Scholarship Programme
Value of the scholarship per year for four years:
- Stipend: €22,500 per annum
- Fees of €5,750 per annum
- Research costs- €2,000 per annum
Closing date and time: Sunday 6th september @9PM Irish time
Interview date: To be confirmed
PhD commencement date: October 2026
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