Join IoTSecLab

Funded Ph.D. Opportunity in Embedded Systems and Drone Cybersecurity

A funded Ph.D. opportunity is available for Fall 2027 in the cybersecurity research lab of Islam Obaidat, Ph.D. at North Carolina A&T State University (N.C. A&T) in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Applicants who hold, or expect to complete by Summer 2027, a B.S. or M.S. degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, information technology, cybersecurity, or a closely related field are encouraged to submit the preliminary interest form by November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time.

The selected candidate will be expected to apply to N.C. A&T's Ph.D. in Applied Science and Technology, Information Technology concentration.

Our research focuses on securing embedded, IoT, and cyber-physical systems at the firmware, software, system, and network levels. Current projects include firmware and software security, network intrusion detection, and drone cybersecurity.

N.C. A&T is currently classified as an R2 research university and is on track for R1 classification in 2028.

Related research areas: Embedded systems and drone cybersecurity, Firmware and software security, IoT networks and attack experimentation

Required qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience with Linux
• Strong programming and debugging skills
• Solid foundations in computer systems, networking, or cybersecurity
• Ability to communicate technical ideas clearly and work independently
• Proficiency in English written and spoken, suitable for academic publishing and teaching

Preferred qualifications

• C/C++ and low-level systems programming
• Assembly language and computer architecture
• Computer networking and network security
• Firmware analysis and reverse engineering
• Embedded systems, IoT, drones, or robotics
• Machine learning or deep learning
• Prior research or substantial technical-project experience

Funding

The selected student will be supported through a graduate teaching or research assistantship (TA/RA), contingent on formal university admission, assistantship eligibility, and satisfactory academic and research progress. Final funding terms will be stated in the official assistantship offer.

What the preliminary interest form requests

• A current CV or résumé
• Unofficial transcripts
• A 300-500-word research-interest and fit statement
• Relevant GitHub, portfolio, personal-website, or publication links, if available
• One optional representative work sample, such as a publication, thesis excerpt, public technical report, or non-confidential project summary

Process

• Please submit the preliminary interest form only once. Application materials sent separately by email will not be reviewed, and duplicate submissions or repeated status inquiries should not be sent.
• After submission, an automated confirmation email containing a Response ID will be sent to the email address entered in the form; applicants should also check their spam or junk folder.
• Shortlisted candidates are expected to be contacted after the deadline (November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time). Due to the anticipated volume of submissions, applicants who are not shortlisted may not receive a separate decision email.
• Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed and may be invited to complete a brief, self-contained research-readiness assessment. The assessment will have a couple of weeks completion window, its expected total time commitment will be stated in advance, and it will not contribute deliverables to an active research project.
• This preliminary interest form is not the formal N.C. A&T graduate application and does not guarantee admission or an assistantship. Candidates selected to proceed will receive instructions for completing the formal university application and meeting the applicable program and funding deadlines.

Deadline: November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time.

Other ways in

NC A&T undergraduates join through mentoring programs listed on the Teaching page. Collaborators can get in touch directly.