Internship "Cyber-Physical Systems Security"

As Austria's largest research and technology organisation for applied research, we have set ourselves the goal of making substantial contributions to solving the major challenges of our time, climate change and digitalisation. To achieve our goals, we rely on our specific research, development and technology competencies, which are the basis of our commitment to excellence in all areas. With our open culture of innovation and our motivated, international teams, we are working to position AIT as Austria's leading research institution at the highest international level and to make a positive contribution to the economy and society.

Our Center for Digital Safety & Security located in Vienna invites applications for an internship. Our experts from the Center for Digital Safety & Security are developing state-of-the-art information and communication technologies to ensure that our systems are highly secure and reliable in the context of comprehensive digitalisation and global networking – Hereby we focus on a variety of key technologies like Distributed IT Systems, Internet of Things, IoT, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain Technologies, Quantum & Photonic Technologies, Wireless Systems (6G) and Digital solutions for crisis & disaster management.

Our Cyber Security Research Field, part of the Competence Unit "Security and Communication Technologies", specialises in applied research for digital security and is a pioneer in developing highly innovative concepts, algorithms and systems for anomaly detection, cyber threat intelligence, penetration testing and cryptography. Through our groundbreaking technologies we are simulating modern ICT and OT infrastructures as well as cyber-attacks, which serve as a basis for conducting cyber exercises with the aim of helping companies to increase the resilience of their critical infrastructure and protect their assets as best as possible.

INTERNSHIP "CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEMS SECURITY"

CENTER FOR DIGITAL SAFETY & SECURITY

• Under the guidance of our interdisciplinary team, you will help develop and enhance a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testbed, which serves as a training platform and is integrated into AIT's cyber domain for simulations and experiments.
• You will work hands-on with PLCs and contribute to practical research on protecting ICSs.
• Depending on your interests, you may also explore attack modeling, threat simulation, and secure system design.

• You will gain experience in building both hands-on and virtual training environments, conducting cyber-attacks, and empirically evaluating your implementations.

• You will have the opportunity to collaborate with experienced cybersecurity researchers working on cutting-edge topics in industrial and cyber-physical system protection.

• You can apply your academic knowledge to real-world security challenges and contribute to applied research that supports training and education in the field of cyber defense.

Your qualifications as an Ingenious Partner:

• You are currently enrolled in a master's study programme in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or similar
• You have strong programming skills in Python, C/C# or similar
• Foundational knowledge of Cyber Security concepts; a deeper understanding of cyber-physical systems or industrial control systems (ICS) is beneficial
• Experience with Linux (e.g. system administration and scripting)
• Analytical thinking and enthusiasm for highly innovative research
• Analytical thinking and a strong interest in innovative research
• Knowledge of/interest in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) is highly desirable
• Interest to work in a multidisciplinary team and collaborate on different topics
• Good verbal and written English and/or German skills

What to expect:

• Duration of the internship: minimum 2 months
• Start date: summer 2026 – However there is some flexibility concerning the start-date
  A remuneration of EUR 1.415,- - gross per month for 38.5 hours per week. In addition to our company benefits, we offer flexible working conditions and work experience in a highly innovative environment.

At AIT diversity and inclusion are of great importance. This is why we strive to inspire women to join our teams in the field of technology. We welcome applications from women, who will be given preference in case of equal qualifications after taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances of all applications.

Please submit your application documents including your CV and cover letter online.