Posting Details
Benefits of Working at UNCW |
Want to become a soaring
UNCW Seahawk and work at one of the best universities on the East Coast? Want to put your toes in the sand after a day of work? The University of North Carolina Wilmington offers a wonderfully vibrant university community along with a beautiful location just miles from the beach.
Employees of
UNCW are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other programs, resources, policies, and practices that help to support a work/life balance. Our programs have been designed to provide a variety of choices to best fit your needs and the needs of your family. Full time employees are eligible for dental, vision and health insurance plans. Health insurance benefit plans eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Full time employees are also eligible for the tuition waiver program which covers the cost of tuition and fees for up to three (3) undergraduate or graduate courses per academic year at
UNCW or any other university within the
UNC System. In addition,
UNCW covers the cost of tuition and fees for one
UNCW course each summer session.
As a full time employee,
UNCW also offers a free membership to the Campus Recreation Center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, meditation and yoga sessions, voluntary supplemental insurance coverages, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays, 24 hours of paid community service leave time, paid vacation and sick leave accrual and family medical leave after 12 months of continuous service.
We also offer an abundance of training and development programs through our
Dare to Learn Academy, and the
employee assistance program, many of which are offered free of charge. |
Hiring Range |
$77,619 - $86,243 |
Working Title |
Maritime Research Associate |
External Link to Posting |
https://jobs.uncw.edu/postings/36466 |
Vacancy Number |
E1409 |
Position Number |
2166 |
Location of Workplace |
Main UNCW Campus |
Home Department |
Computer Science - 32331 |
Division |
Academic Affairs - 30 Division |
Brief Summary of Work for this Position |
The Department of Computer Science is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Maritime Cybersecurity Research Associate to join the interdisciplinary
MCARTEC research team at
UNCW. This role is integral to the advancement of cyber resilience in maritime domains, including shipboard systems such as
ECDIS, radar, and integrated bridge systems. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in applied research, cybersecurity modeling, and maritime systems and will directly contribute to externally funded projects, publications, and innovation in cybersecurity education and workforce development.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and conduct original research on cybersecurity vulnerabilities in ship-level and shore-based maritime systems (e.g., ECDIS, bridge control, radar), contributing novel insights and models to the academic and operational community.
- Design and validate quantitative risk assessment models using approaches such as Bayesian networks and system dynamics, leveraging domain expertise and statistical tools (e.g., SPSS, Vensim) to model cyber-physical risk scenarios in the maritime sector.
- Contribute to the execution of penetration testing and threat analysis protocols for navigation and communication systems by developing test scenarios, analyzing outcomes, and recommending mitigation strategies based on research findings.
- Participate as a co-investigator and subject-matter expert on national and international collaborative research projects (e.g., NATO MARSEC COE, IAMU), providing technical input on maritime cyber policy, system security, and training frameworks.
- Author peer-reviewed publications and present research findings at leading international conferences and workshops in the field of maritime cybersecurity (e.g., IMLA, GMC, NATO MARSEC), with a focus on disseminating insights from funded projects and advancing the state of the art.
- Serve as a subject-matter expert in developing cybersecurity training content for maritime professionals, guiding the creation of education modules aligned with international standards (e.g., IACS UR E26/E27), and supporting the delivery and evaluation of learning outcomes.
- Engage in ongoing professional development by actively participating in relevant conferences, workshops, and symposia in maritime security and cybersecurity, ensuring research outputs remain aligned with emerging threats and technological advances.
- Initiate and co-author competitive research proposals and grant applications in collaboration with faculty and researchers at UNCW. This includes identifying research gaps, drafting the scientific rationale, and proposing innovative methodological approaches aligned with sponsor priorities.
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Minimum Education and Experience Requirements |
- PhD in Maritime Transportation Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a closely related field with demonstrated academic research contributions. Applicants with a PhD in progress will be considered, provided the degree is conferred prior to the start date of employment.
- Proven record of peer-reviewed research and publication in maritime cybersecurity, cyber threat modeling, or maritime risk assessment methodologies.
- Experience leading or co-leading applied research projects, including those involving cyber-physical maritime systems (e.g., ECDIS, radar, AIS, or integrated bridge systems).
- Hands-on experience with cybersecurity tools (e.g., Kali Linux, Wireshark, Nmap, Metasploit) and threat modeling platforms (e.g., Bayesian networks, system dynamics software like Vensim).
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Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience |
- Strong understanding of maritime operational systems and regulations, with certifications or experience in ship operations, bridge systems, or related domains.
- Experience participating in international cybersecurity or maritime research collaborations, with ability to present findings at scholarly conferences and stakeholder meetings.
- Excellent technical writing and communication skills, including experience drafting research proposals, reports, and academic publications.
- Demonstrated ability to stay current in the field through conference participation, journal publication, and active collaboration with academic or professional bodies.
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Required Certifications or Licensures |
No Required Certifications or Licensure |
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit |
The Department of Computer Science is a community of scholars dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship, research, and service. It strives for excellence in teaching and offers a modern curriculum leading to an undergraduate degree in computer science. It considers the use of experiential education, including project-based software development and internships, to be essential for effective learning. The department is committed to preparing its students for careers in the emerging knowledge-based economy and helping them become life-long learners.
The department seeks to enrich the learning environment through the active professional development of its faculty. The department is committed to providing leadership in the use of emerging computer and communication technologies both on campus and in the surrounding region. The department regularly sponsors lectures and other activities to enrich the academic life of the campus and the community-at-large.
The Department of Computer Science offers the following degree programs:
- B.S. in Computer Science
- B.S. in Intelligent Systems Engineering
- B.S. in Software Engineering
- Interdisciplinary B.S. in Cybersecurity
- Interdisciplinary B.A. in Digital Arts
- Interdisciplinary B.S in Information Technology
- Interdisciplinary M.S. in Computer Science & Information Systems
- Interdisciplinary M.S. in Data Science
- Undergraduate minors in Game Engineering, Digital Arts, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Technology, and Computer Science
The Department of Computer Science currently has twenty-five full-time faculty members. |
College/School Information |
The College of Science and Engineering offers a variety of programs leading to Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, as well as Doctor of Philosophy degrees in applied coastal and ocean sciences; pharmaceutical chemistry; integrative, comparative, and marine biology; and psychology degrees. The college also offers combined bachelor's/master's degree programs in information technology/computer science and information systems, computer science/computer science and information systems, and B.S. in mathematics/M.S. in mathematics. To implement its academic programs, the college provides instruction and research opportunities in the natural and behavioral sciences, information technology, data science, computer science, mathematics, pre-engineering, and engineering. The eight academic departments in the college provide courses of study in each of these areas, in addition to interdepartmental programs in information technology, cybersecurity, and digital arts. A 2+2 in engineering; and 3+2 programs in computer science and electrical or computer engineering; and physics and electrical engineering, are also offered in the college. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs in environmental studies, applied statistics, and geographic information science are also available.
CSE students work with distinguished faculty and scientists, use cutting edge technology, and conduct impactful research. Faculty-directed research projects empower
CSE students to apply what they learn inside the classroom and laboratory to real-world situations and prepares them for a variety of careers or advanced study. |
University Information |
The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research and service. Widely acknowledged for its world-class faculty and staff and continuously recognized at a national level for scholarly excellence and affordability,
UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and a community rich in diversity, inclusion and global perspectives.
A public institution with nearly 18,000 students,
UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to-
BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation's only bachelor's degree program focused on coastal engineering.
The university's efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned
UNCW the elevated designation of "Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity" institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969. |
EEO Statement |
UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents - except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs. |
Eligibility for Employment |
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.
UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. |
Number of Openings |
Single Incumbent |
Special Notes to Applicants |
This position is time-limited with the possibility of continuation pending availability of funds and department need.
PLEASE NOTE: This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date, Monday, 6/23/2025.
To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the 'Work History' section, before you apply for this position. Failure to answer all required questions will cause the system to disqualify your application. Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered. Additional materials required should be submitted as Adobe
PDF documents are:
Cover Letter
Curriculum vitae
If desired, applicants may upload additional materials under the 'Other' category.
Please direct questions concerning the search to Bilge Karabacak (karabacakb@uncw.edu). |
Months Per Year |
12J (July-June) |
FTE |
1.0 (40 hours per week) |
Type of Position |
Time-limited |
Anticipated Ending Date if Time-Limited Positions |
06/30/2028 |
Job Posting Date |
06/09/2025 |
Posting Close Date |
06/23/2025 |
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