Job Description

Security/Systems Postdoctoral Scholar - 95095
Division: DD-Data Science

The Computing Sciences Research Area (https://crd.lbl.gov/) has an immediate opening for a post-doctoral researcher to perform vital research and development in the area of the use of trusted execution environments (TEEs) in high-performance computing (HPC) domains. The goal of this work is to enable high-performance scientific computing of sensitive data without significantly compromising usability or performance. The work includes software development of and experimentation with security and privacy technologies critical to facilitate data collection and sharing.

The goal of this position is to contribute to developing and implementing new trusted execution environment architectures and related low-level system software appropriate to the threat model and performance requirements of high-performance scientific computing. Our solution involves a RISC-V based architectural development, development of and modifications to low-level operating system elements, and implementation and experimentation.

Important qualities of the position include experience in low-level operating system elements and experience with software development.

What you will do:
• In the context of scientific research and data, the position will be expected to extend the state of the art of trustworthy scientific computing by advancing hardware trusted execution environments (TEEs) for high-performance computing (HPC) in one or more directions. This may include:
- Development and analysis of system-level software (e.g., OS elements, drivers) that ameliorate the mismatch between existing systems, scientific use cases and threat models, and current processors.
- Development or modification of software libraries that address needs for encrypted communication between and within system components in an HPC system with minimal latency.
• Write scientific research papers suitable for submission to peer-reviewed computer science venues.
• Work closely with researchers and application scientists throughout the DOE Office of Science community, with faculty and students from university partners, with researchers in the Computing Sciences Research Area at the Berkeley Lab, where this position is housed; and with staff at the DOE Office of Science’s NERSC supercomputing facility.

Minimum Qualifications:
• PhD degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field is required.
• Demonstrated experience in software development and in writing low-level system software, such as operating system kernels or drivers.
• Proficiency and experience in programming languages including low-level programming languages used in systems software, such as C/C++ or Rust, and higher-level languages used in data analysis, such as Python.
• Established record of peer reviewed publications in systems and/or security venues.
• Proficiency with UNIX tools and computer systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a diverse interdisciplinary team and contribute to an active intellectual environment.
• Excellent English written and oral communication.

Desired Qualifications:
• Familiarity with fundamentals of computer security and/or familiarity with using trusted execution environments.
• Familiarity with computational methods used in scientific computing environments, including parallel execution environments (e.g., MPI).
• Familiarity with assembly language and/or the RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture.

For full consideration, please submit a Research Statement.

Notes:
• This is a full time, 2 year postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal and/or conversion to a Career or Term Research Scientist position based upon appropriate division review and approval, job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs.
• You must have less than 3 years paid postdoctoral experience.
• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• Salary will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work may be performed on-site, hybrid, full-time telework or remote modes.

How To Apply
Apply directly online at http://50.73.55.13/counter.php?id=228560 and follow the on-line instructions to complete the application process.

The Computing Sciences Research Area at Berkeley Lab conducts research and development in a wide array of computational areas and collaborates directly with scientists across LBNL, the Department of Energy, academia, and industry to solve some of the world’s most challenging computational and data management and analysis problems in a broad range of scientific and engineering fields, including research in high-performance computing (HPC) technology for extreme-scale computing systems. Our research areas address aspects of scientific computing that are not adequately addressed by existing frameworks and tools. Details on current and recent security projects are available on https://secpriv.lbl.gov

Based on University of California Policy - SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program and U.S Federal Government requirements, Berkeley Lab requires that all members of our community obtain the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible. As a condition of employment at Berkeley Lab, all Covered Individuals must Participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program by providing proof of Full Vaccination or submitting a request for Exception or Deferral. Visit covid.lbl.gov for more information.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA, https://diversity.lbl.gov/ideaberkeleylab/) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:
Know your rights, click here (http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm) for the supplement: Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law and the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/PayTransparencyNondiscrimination.html) under 41 CFR 60-1.4.