Post Doctoral Associate

Department of Computer Science

College of Engineering and Applied Science

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Post Doctoral Associate to join our team! UCCS is committed to academic excellence, professional development, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and student success.

At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery—a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary Range

$65,000 - $75,000 annually. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications.

This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

This position is dependent on the availability of funding which is expected to last 6 months.

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage: Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits: Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education: Avail twelve (12) waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More: From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.

Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

The post-doctoral researcher will work in the Laboratory for Cybersecurity Dynamics, under the supervision of the Lab Director, Professor Shouhuai Xu. This position will work on challenging but exciting space cybersecurity research problems, collaborate with PhD students who work on the same or related problems, mentor junior student researcher, and lead efforts in writing top-quality scientific/academic research papers for top-venue publications.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• This position is a 100% research and development position.
• This position will tackle challenging space cybersecurity research problems that require high creativity and ability to conduct original research, with strong publication record.
• This position is required to design new cybersecurity solutions (e.g., architectures) and characterize their properties, both of which demand analytical thinking and skills.
• This position is dependent on the availability of internal grant funding. Funding is currently expected to last nine months.

Tentative Search Timeline

Priority will be given to applications submitted by: September 26, 2026.

Potential interview dates: week of October 5, 2026.

Potential start date: October 15 or November 1, 2026.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.

Qualifications

The following qualifications are required:

• PhD in Computer Science or closely related field, with defended PhD Dissertation defended research on cybersecurity.
• Publication record at top-tier conferences and/or journals, especially on the topic of space cybersecurity.
• Real-world / industrial space cybersecurity experience is preferred.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions and meet the physical and environment demands described satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, physical and environmental demands.

Applicants with disabilities: If you have a mental or physical impairment, which limits one of your major life activities (e.g. walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning) and require special accommodations for testing or interviewing, it is your responsibility to notify the office scheduling the interview or test at least 3 working days before the interview or test date. If you need special accommodations at the work site, you must notify the appointing authority or Human Resources.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs has implemented a misconduct history check program with respect to final candidates for specific appointments. The misconduct history check program is intended to allow UCCS to collect and review information about a candidate's conduct at their previous institutions, specifically conduct related to sexual misconduct, harassment, and/or discrimination – before making hiring decisions. All final candidates to these appointments are required to complete an Authorization to Release Information and provide contact information for their previous institutions.