About the Opportunity

About the opportunity:

Join a mission-driven team developing advanced cybersecurity platforms that protect hospitals and clinics from cyber threats. The Sr Research Scientist will contribute full-time to building Whole-Hospital Simulations that emulate realistic healthcare environments and Vulnerability Mitigation Platforms that safeguard medical devices and both clinical and non-clinical networks. The work will directly impact patient safety and digital resilience in vulnerable healthcare settings. Success in this role will help revolutionize the healthcare penetration testing marketplace by shifting the focus from compliance to how gracefully a hospital system can fail and recover under attack. The platforms will also shape the evolution of medical device security regulatory frameworks by moving evaluations from individual device compliance to whole-hospital system security.
As part of the responsibilities of the Sr Research Scientist, out-of-the-area and overnight travel is often required to accompany the Principal Investigator and/or research staff on visits to each sub awardee site across the country, as well as to attend sponsor-mandated events. Travel is typically expected one to two times per month throughout the duration of the award, depending on the schedule of events. No travel is currently anticipated in December, though this is subject to change based on sponsor priorities. The energy and ability to travel is required. The laboratory is located in the Boston area, and this position is hybrid in person and work from home.
This position is 100% externally funded and will be reappointed on an annual basis based on the continued availability of funding.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities:

(40%) Research Project Leadership: Lead and direct research projects in healthcare and medical device cybersecurity. Define research objectives, contribute to requirements engineering, direct research tasks in alignment with tasks and milestones, design and lead evaluation studies, analyze results, and disseminate findings through publications and presentations.

(25%) Mentoring and Student Supervision: Mentor, supervise, and direct graduate students engaged in whole hospital simulation, vulnerability management platforms, penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, systems evaluation, and related technical areas. Provide direct feedback to support their technical growth, academic progress in publishing in top conferences, and professional development.

(20%) Technical report writing: Prepare project reports and technical documentation for whole hospital simulation and vulnerability management platforms. Patent applications. Locate and identify opportunities to secure additional funding and present project outcomes.

(10%) Collaboration and External Engagement: Lead evaluation of security of hospital-scale simulators and medical devices with healthcare providers, regulators, and industry partners. Represent the lab at conferences, workshops, and industry events.

(5%) Grant proposal writing and related proposal writing. Manage small-scale budgets and tasking milestone planning related to project expenditures, including procurement of test equipment, simulation resources, and laboratory supplies, in coordination with administrative staff.

This role involves close leadership with technical leads and organizational leadership on a single, high-impact cybersecurity platform for healthcare. While you’ll receive support and guidance, you’re expected to take leadership of your work and contribute independently.

• Lead feedback on technical work and project progress, ensuring adherence to research best practices, laboratory safety, and project timelines. Take ownership of research publication processes.

• Report to the PI and lead technical work in collaboration with the Project Manager, students, faculty, staff, and subaward recipients to achieve programmatic objectives and goals.

• Lead discussions and project planning with sub awardees and organizational leadership on a high-impact cybersecurity platform for healthcare.

• Take ownership of work and contribute independently, while receiving support and guidance as needed.

• Lead cross-functional teams and make technical decisions to ensure alignment with project goals.

As you grow in the role, you’ll take the lead on key technical decisions.
We’re looking for someone who thrives in a leadership role, focused, mission-driven environment and can balance autonomy with teamwork.

Core Qualifications:

PhD in computer science, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, or a closely related field. Strong citation record in embedded systems security, medical device cybersecurity, healthcare technology security, or a closely related subfield. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary research teams, healthcare partners, and industry collaborators. Demonstrated ability to mentor and direct students to ensure alignment to a mission-driven research program.
Experience with requirements engineering, penetration testing, or systems evaluation is highly desired. While programming skills are valuable, the Principal Research Scientist position is not intended for software development but will involve close collaboration with software development team members. A strong candidate will provide letters of reference from three faculty members who can address these qualifications and offer comparisons with peers.

Documents required:

Resume

Cover letter

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

Expected Hiring Range:

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.