Embedded Systems Cyber Security GRA - Fall - CIPHER

Overview

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem‑solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.

Embedded Systems Vulnerability Division (ESVD) within the Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research Laboratory (CIPHER) is skilled in reverse engineering, vulnerability discovery, and forensics analysis of embedded systems. Red team activities focus on vulnerability discovery and the development and demonstration of RF and network‑based techniques to gain unauthorized access to and/or exploit information networks. These efforts identify weaknesses and help ensure that mitigations are effective.

The Division specializes in wireless and embedded devices such as radios, modems, routers, and embedded controllers comprising various military and Industrial Control System (ICS) networks. Research is also focused on developing innovative tools, architectures, and methodologies for software and microelectronic hardware assurance to support needs in trustworthy embedded computing applications, e.g., Internet of Things (IoT).

ESVD seeks Graduate Research Assistants to support teams performing embedded system cybersecurity testing starting in Fall 2026. Successful candidates will need to be able to analyze large problems and break them down into smaller, achievable tasks. To support this they will need to be able to create high‑level block diagrams, create custom scripts to support testing, and solve problems from first principles.

Students will be working on projects that may involve one or more of the following: embedded systems development, hardware reverse engineering (RE), firmware RE, software RE and/or signals analysis.

Working alone and alongside other students is expected. Strong written communication skills are a must.

Experience with capture the flag events, firmware/software reverse engineering with Ghidra or IDA, or software‑defined radios is desired.

• Pursuing a Master's degree or PhD at Georgia Tech in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Must be enrolled full‑time (12+ credit hours)
• Must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA
• Commit to 15-20 hours of work per week

• Experience with capture the flag events, firmware/software reverse engineering, or software‑defined radios
• Task / team leadership experience
• Strong math skills and ability to learn complex engineering concepts
• Familiarity with Linux and open source tools
• Configuration management tools
• Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas
• Knowledge of IDA Pro and/or Ghidra
• Experience in 1 or more programming languages:
  Ex:
  Python, C, C++, Java, C#, etc.

Top Secret Clearance

15-20 hours per week

Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position are required to be U.S. Citizens.

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Housing and relocation assistance are not available for this position.

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs,…