Research Associate (m/f/d)

Institute for

Remuneration EG 13

ID 14626WE22

Start of employment 01.10.2026

Application deadline08.07.2026

Scope fulltime and fixed term until 30.09.2029

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. Do these topics resonate with you and your prior technical experience? Would you like to explore them as part of a PhD project in close collaboration with researchers across Europe and Australia? 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 Al-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 Al-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

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 and sustainable university with high performance and quality standards that strives for excellence in all its research fields. Interdisciplinarity, innovation, regionality and internationality are binding principles in our actions. With currently around 8.000 students, 110 professors and 1.650 employees, the TU Hamburg is characterised by short decision-making processes and close cooperation between the board, the institutes, the deans of studies, the research areas and the administration. We identify ourselves with a modern leadership culture and cultivate appreciative interaction.

For further information please contact Dr.-Ing. Nicolas Diaz Ferreyra, Tel.-Nr. +49 40 30601 5003, Email: .

We value diversity, therefore all applications are welcome, regardless of gender, gender identity, ethnic origin, nationality, age, religion and belief, disability, sexual orientation and identity or social background.

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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).