PhD Position – Cyberattack detection methods in Power Systems

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions: PhD Positions

Application Deadline: 15 Oct 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Tallinn)

Country: Estonia

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 40

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Other EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

Offer Description

Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) invites applications from highly motivated candidates with a Master's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering, and Power Systems or a closely related field for a fully funded PhD position in power system cybersecurity.

Electric power systems are becoming increasingly digital and interconnected across generation, transmission, distribution, and end users. This connectivity is essential for modern energy services, but it also exposes critical infrastructure to cyberattacks that can affect availability, integrity, confidentiality, and authenticity.

This PhD position is part of the SIPSIK research project, Securing Power Systems against Cyberattacks. The project brings together TalTech, the University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Applied Sciences, energy-sector organisations, and cybersecurity partners to develop a data-driven and simulation-based framework for resilient power systems.

The doctoral research will address the scientific challenge of developing interpretable and computationally efficient cyberattack-detection methods based on data mining or machine learning for cyber-physical power-system environments. Existing data-driven detection approaches often involve a trade-off between detection performance, interpretability, computational requirements, and transferability across different operating conditions. The research will investigate how security-relevant power-system data can be represented and exploited to develop detection methods that provide transparent decision rules while maintaining competitive detection performance and computational efficiency.

The research will use real-world and simulated data from the power-system value chain and will be validated in controlled environments such as real-time digital simulation and network simulation. The goal is to develop scientifically rigorous methods that can support practical protection, training, and decision-making for critical energy infrastructure.

How to Apply

The successful candidates will work under the supervision of Prof. Tara Ghasempouri, Dr. Marko Tealane and Dr. Mart Landsberg will collaborate with researchers at TalTech, the University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Applied Sciences, and 11 different project partners in the energy and cybersecurity sectors from industries.

Please submit your CV and academic transcripts to tara.ghasempouri@taltech.ee, marko.tealane@taltech.ee and mart.landsberg@taltech.ee using the subject line: “PhD Position – Cyberattack detection methods in Power Systems”. Candidates with suitable backgrounds will be invited for an online interview.

Application deadline: 15 October 2026
Expected starting date: As soon as possible (negotiable)
Salary/Funding: The PhD position is fully funded. The salary amount is determined according to the applicable TalTech salary table and university regulations.

Requirements

The following documents are necessary if the candidate passes the first interview:

• Curriculum Vitae, including education, research experience, publications, and relevant technical skills.
• Copy of the identification page of the passport.
• Proof of English language proficiency according to current TalTech requirements.
• Bachelor's degree diploma and academic transcript.
• Master's degree diploma and academic transcript.
• Any additional documents required under the current TalTech doctoral admission regulations.

For current doctoral admission requirements, please visit: https://taltech.ee/en/phd-admission

Requirements

Research Field: Engineering » Computer engineering

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The following skills are mandatory:

• Strong background in one of these field power systems simulation, data-mining or cybersecurity
• Good programming skills, particularly in Python.
• Understanding of computer networks, digital systems, or critical-infrastructure security.
• Ability to conduct systematic research, analyse experimental results, and communicate findings clearly.
• Strong written and spoken English.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research team.

The following skills are a plus:

• Experience with association-rule mining, anomaly detection, or interpretable machine learning.
• Knowledge of power-system operation, smart grids, industrial control systems, or energy-sector data.
• Experience with real-time digital simulation, NS-3, RTDS, or comparable simulation environments.
• Knowledge of symmetric-key cryptography, lightweight cryptography, or post-quantum cryptography.
• Experience with cybersecurity monitoring, threat modelling, or cyberattack simulation.

Languages: ENGLISH

Level: Excellent

Additional Information

Benefits

About TalTech

Founded in 1918, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) is Estonia's leading university of engineering and technology. Located in Tallinn, TalTech provides an international research environment bringing together expertise in information technology, engineering, cybersecurity, energy systems, and digital technologies.

For more information, please visit: https://taltech.ee/en/

For information about living and working in Estonia: https://www.visitestonia.com/ https://www.workinestonia.com/

About Estonia

Estonia is internationally recognised for its advanced digital society and strong technology ecosystem. The country offers a highly connected environment for research and innovation, with active communities in cybersecurity, energy technology, electronics, and digital services.

Tallinn combines a strong technology and research environment with a high quality of life, while Estonia offers extensive forests, lakes, coastline, and nature. Its international research community and advanced digital infrastructure provide an attractive environment for doctoral studies in cybersecurity and energy systems.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Tallinn University of Technology

Country: Estonia

Contact

City: Tallinn

Website: https://taltech.ee/

Street: Akadeemia tee