Policy Officer, AI and data analysis for resilience of critical infrastructure and hybrid threats

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is the European Commission's science and knowledge service, providing independent, evidence-based research to support EU policies. The Defence and External Security Unit within the Societal Resilience and Security Directorate supports EU policies on defence, external security, defence industry, dual-use technologies, conflicts, hybrid threats, and the resilience of critical infrastructure.

The current vacancy is with the Defence and External Security Unit, of the Societal Resilience and Security Directorate. The mission of the Unit is to support with evidence EU policies on defence and external security. This comprises research into defence industry, dual-use, conflicts, hybrid threats, as well as the resilience of critical entities in general and defence related critical infrastructure in particular. The unit will support building the defence pillar of the Research and Innovation Security Campus.

The vacancy is for a post in Ispra, Italy, in a team providing scientific and technical support to Commission Services and Member States on the resilience of critical infrastructures and on defending our society from hybrid threats.

A research position that focuses on AI and data analysis, with the primary aim of supporting European Union policy needs in the areas of hybrid threats and critical infrastructure resilience. The successful candidate will be responsible for initiating and executing research and development activities, working collaboratively with the team to advance institutional efforts in the development of models and methods.

A key aspect of this role will involve integrating AI technologies to enhance data processing efficiency, with the objective of achieving the following goals:

• to facilitate swift identification of signals related to hybrid threats by analysts, based on the JRC CORE model

• to identify dependencies and interdependencies of critical infrastructures

• to develop scenarios for stress testing and tabletop exercises of critical infrastructures.

The successful candidate will be expected to deliver high-quality technical work in a dynamic and flexible environment, contributing to the development and implementation of European Union policies on hybrid threats and critical entity resilience. Key responsibilities will include conducting research, publishing strategic documents and scientific publications, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of scientists to provide evidence-based input to EU policy-making processes. The candidate should possess excellent communication skills, able to convey complex information clearly to diverse audiences, including policy makers, non-experts, and scientific communities.

The following elements will be evaluated:

Required:

• A University degree in the field relevant to the post (engineering, data or computer science) plus at least 5 years of work experience in the field; or a PhD relevant to the topic.
• Demonstrate strong programming skills in a scientific programming language, such as Python, with hands-on experience in generative AI, Large Language Models, and prompt engineering.
• Proven skills in writing scientific publications and communicating complex information effectively to both scientific and non-scientific audiences, as well as the general public.
• To hold or be able to obtain a security clearance at the level of EU SECRET.
• Excellent knowledge of English (C1) both written and spoken.

Desirable:

• Good knowledge of EU policies in the area of hybrid threats and critical infrastructures.
• Experience in AI and data analysis techniques for security related datasets
• Experience in data visualization and presentation.
• Proven collaboration skills, for example, the ability to initiate new projects, coordinate with external partners, work in a team, and carry out technical activities independently.

If you are already on a valid CAST FG IV reserve list, or you have already applied to one of the calls below, you can directly submit your application at JRC Recruitment Portal. 

If not, before applying to this position, you must register for one of the two following databases:

• the Call for Expressions of Interest | EU Careers (europa.eu) (CAST Permanent FG IV), which is used by a wide range of organisations (institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the European Union), or
• the call for researchers (JRC Call COM/1/2015/GFIV – Research), which is mainly used by the JRC.

Note that each of the calls above has different minimum eligibility requirements and different selection tests.