At the heart of TU Hamburg’s research, teaching and transfer of technology is the guiding principle of developing technology for people. The TU Hamburg sees itself in this context as a family-friendly
Research Associate (m/f/d) Institute for Software Security
Remuneration: EG 13 TV-L
ID: 14626WE22
Start of employment: 01.10.2026
Application deadline: 08.07.2026
Scope: fulltime and fixed term until 30.09.2029
About the Position
The Institute of Software Security at Hamburg University of Technology is hiring a graduate research associate to work in the DFG-funded project "DevSSATD: Developer-centered Management of Self-Admitted Technical Debt for Security." The project seeks to be at the forefront of technical debt security research by combining human-centered research with code analysis and Mining Software Repositories (MSR) techniques.
A central focus is the analysis of the security implications of technical debt in software-intensive systems and the development of usable technologies to enable its early identification, assessment, and remediation. Special attention will be given to security debt arising from generative AI-augmented software systems. The project also foresees close collaboration with industrial partners to ensure the practical relevance of the research outcomes.
Your Tasks
- Conduct in-depth security analysis of software artifacts (e.g., source code and code comments)
- Carry out human-centered studies and controlled experiments with software developers
- Develop usable AI-based solutions that address security debt
- Compile and present the results at international conferences and publish in academic journals
Your Profile
Requirements
- Completed scientific university studies (masters degree or equivalent), in particular in the subject Software Engineering or Information Systems
Desired Knowledge and Personal Skills
- Very good English language skills (C1)
- Expertise in software security (e.g., run and interpret static code analysis outputs)
- Proficiency in empirical research methods and data analysis (e.g., MSR, controlled experiments, and surveys)
- Proven knowledge and experience on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Our Offer
- Flexible and family-friendly working conditions
- Possibility of mobile working
- 30 day vacation per year
- Internal offers for health promotion and special conditions in gyms
- Outside of duties, the results can be used for a dissertation
Contact
For further information please contact Dr.-Ing. Nicolas Diaz Ferreyra, Tel.-Nr. +49 40 30601 5003, Email: nicolas.diaz-ferreyra@tuhh.de
Application
Please send your complete application documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae in table form, proof of completed training and/or university degree, job references or certificates of employment) via the online application system.
Notice for graduates of foreign educational qualifications: Please submit proof of all obtained university degrees and, if available, the recognition of your educational qualifications in Germany (e.g. anabin excerpts and/or acknowledgement of previous employers).