Root cause analysis of cyber security incidents

One full scholarship is available in the School of Computer Science at the University of Leeds in 2026/27. This scholarship is open only applicants who qualify as Home student for fee purposes and covers tuition fees plus maintenance. The position is to start on 1st February 2027.<br /> <br /> The School of Computer Science at the University of Leeds invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2026/27 for the School of Computer Science EPSRC Industry Scholarship.<br /> <br /> This fully funded PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in a range of fields relating to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. The studentship is only available to candidates eligible for Home student status. Applicants should check their eligibility before applying and clearly confirm their eligibility in their CV and personal statement. Due to funding requirements and project timelines, only applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and can start on the specified date will be considered. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be shortlisted. <br />

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><strong>Project overview</strong></p> <p>This PhD studentship is an EPSRC industry scholarship, to be held in the School of Computer Science at the University of Leeds. The research will develop AI techniques to conduct root cause analysis (RCA) of cybersecurity incidents. The research will develop machine learning models and natural language processing (NLP) models to perform RCA. RCA is step-by-step method used to find the true underlying reasons behind cybersecurity breaches rather than focusing on the symptoms.</p> <p><strong>Research Approach</strong></p> <p>The research will use multimodal data (e.g., from firewall, network, OS logs etc) to develop a mixed-methods technique to perform RCA. The technique will be integrated within a tool that will enable visualisation of the vulnerabilities leading to a security incident.</p> <p>Potential methods include, but not limited to:</p> <ul> <li>Use of BERT models to detect security-related events.</li> <li>Use of machine learning models (e.g., random forest) for attack detection.</li> <li>Use of reasoning models.</li> </ul>

<p>To apply for this project you will need to make a formal application for research degree study through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. </p> <p>•    For <strong>‘Appli</strong><strong>cation type’</strong> please select <strong>‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’</strong>. <br /> •    The <strong>admission year</strong> for this project is <strong>2026/27 Academic Year</strong>. <br /> •    You will need to select your <strong>‘Planned Course of Study’</strong> from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select <strong>EPSRC DTP – Engineering</strong>’. <br /> •    The <strong>project start date</strong> for this project is<strong> 1 February 2027</strong>, please use this as your <strong>Proposed Start Date of Research</strong>. <br /> •    Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong>Root cause analysis of cyber security incidents</strong> as well as <strong><a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/computing/staff/14238/professor-arshad-jhumka">Professor Arshad Jhumka</a> </strong>and<strong> <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/computing/staff/187/professor-karim-djemame">Professor Karim Djemame</a> </strong>as your proposed supervisors.</p> <p>More information on how to apply is available on our website <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">here</a>. You will be required to provide a personal statement which outlines your interest in the project, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project.</p> <p>Applications will be reviewed and assessed after the closing date of Wednesday 30 September 2026. We will assess applications continuously as we receive them. We welcome and strongly encourage any potential applicants to contact the supervisor(s) for an informal discussion, prior to applying, and recommend submitting your application early. </p> <p><strong>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Wednesday 30 September 2026 or at the point you submit your application:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including grading scheme</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.5 in writing and at least 6.0 in reading, listening and speaking or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p>A highly competitive EPSRC Faculty Doctoral Training Partnership Award, in collaboration with KPMG, providing full academic fees, together with a tax-free maintenance grant at the standard UKRI rate of £21,805 for 3.5 years.  Training and support will also be provided.</p> <p>This opportunity is open to UK applicants only.  All candidates will be placed into the EPSRC Faculty Doctoral Training Partnership Award Competition and selection is based on academic merit.</p> <p>Please note that there is 1 funded place available.  If you are successful in securing an academic offer for PhD study, this does not mean that you have been successful in securing an offer of funding.</p> <p><strong>Eligibility Criteria</strong></p> <ul> <li>Applicants must be eligible to pay fees at the Home (UK) rate.</li> </ul> <p>If you are unsure whether you are eligible for UK fees/funding, please visit the <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ukcisa.org.uk%2F&data=05%7C02%7CJ.S.Hewer%40leeds.ac.uk%7C07632c93c06a442dca3d08ddfc172939%7Cbdeaeda8c81d45ce863e5232a535b7cb%7C0%7C0%7C638943898649349324%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=nylGSov8jOc7hr6X%2FmfnfQPecbVUnGqgoSqVgPGy5K0%3D&reserved=0">UKCISA</a> website or our <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-fees/doc/fee-assessment">fee assessment page</a> regarding fee status for Non-UK nationals.</p> <p><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li>Candidates who have previously been awarded a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD are excluded from applying. Those who were previously studying for a PhD but did not complete may be considered.  </li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1 February 2027, or soon after that. </li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p>If you are interested in this project or have any questions, please do contact the project supervisor, Professor Arshad Jhumka by emailing <a href="mailto:H.A.Jhumka@leeds.ac.uk">H.A.Jhumka@leeds.ac.uk</a> or Professor Karim Djemame by emailing <a href="mailto:K.Djemame@leeds.ac.uk">K.Djemame@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about your application, including how to apply, please contact PGR Admissions by emailing <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a>.</p>