About the role
The Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida) seeks a Cybersecurity Research Scientist to advance the Center’s research mission through cybersecurity research, competitive proposal development, and externally sponsored projects. The position will identify and pursue federal, state, foundation, industry, and other funding opportunities across a broad range of cybersecurity-related areas.
The researcher will develop collaborative research initiatives, contribute to scholarly and applied research, cultivate external partnerships, and build a sustainable portfolio of sponsored funding. The position will initially be supported through E&G funding, with the expectation that external awards will progressively support the position and associated research activities.
Hiring Salary: $120,000 annually
Research and Proposal Development
Develops independent and collaborative cybersecurity research initiatives. Identifies funding opportunities and leads or substantially contributes to competitive proposals, including research concepts, technical narratives, methodologies, work plans, and deliverables. May serve as Principal Investigator, Co-Principal Investigator, key personnel, or other appropriate project role consistent with University and sponsor requirements.
Research Execution and Dissemination
Conducts applied and scholarly cybersecurity research; analyzes findings; and produces publications, technical reports, presentations, frameworks, tools, demonstrations, or other research products. Ensures research activities comply with applicable University, sponsor, research-compliance, data-security, and ethical requirements.
External Funding and Partnerships
Develops a sustained pipeline of externally funded research opportunities and cultivates relationships with government agencies, industry, academic institutions, critical-infrastructure organizations, and other research partners. Builds interdisciplinary and multi-institutional teams to pursue emerging cybersecurity opportunities.
Cyber Florida Research Integration
Provides research expertise across Cyber Florida programs and initiatives and identifies opportunities to translate existing capabilities, partnerships, and emerging cybersecurity challenges into externally fundable research.
Professional and Research Development
Maintains knowledge of emerging cybersecurity research and sponsor priorities and develops increasing independence in proposal leadership, research execution, partnership development, and sponsored-project leadership. May mentor students, research staff, or project personnel.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Doctoral degree in cybersecurity, computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, information systems, or a closely related field. Demonstrated cybersecurity research experience and experience developing proposals for federal, state, foundation, or industry sponsors. A record of scholarly or applied research, externally funded project participation, research partnerships, and a sound record of technical or professional publications is required.
Expertise in one or more emerging cybersecurity areas, including artificial intelligence, post-quantum cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, space and satellite cybersecurity, or other emerging cybersecurity disciplines, is preferred.
Special Skills and Training
Strong research, analytical, technical writing, proposal development, communication, and collaboration skills. Ability to develop research concepts, manage multiple priorities and deadlines, build interdisciplinary partnerships, and communicate effectively with academic, government, industry, and sponsor audiences.
Special Requirements
Employment with the Florida Center for Cybersecurity requires signing a nondisclosure agreement and successfully completing a Level 1 background check.
The position will initially be supported through recurring E&G funding. During the first year, the researcher is expected to establish an active research and proposal pipeline. Thereafter, externally sponsored projects are expected to support an increasing proportion of the position and associated research activities, subject to University and sponsor requirements and the availability of funding.
Working Conditions
Environment: Typical office and research environment. Work may also occur at partner, research, training, or operational sites.
Physical Requirements: Primarily sedentary work involving extended computer use, meetings, presentations, and typing; ability to lift up to 20 lbs. as needed.
Travel: Ability to travel locally, statewide, nationally, or internationally as required for research, sponsor, partner, or professional activities.
“This position may involve access to information or technology subject to U.S. export control regulations (EAR/ITAR). Where applicable, employment or specific project assignments may be contingent on the University’s ability to obtain any required government authorization.”
Acknowledgment
While the primary job duties and responsibilities have been included, this job description is not designed nor meant to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities or responsibilities. This does not preclude the assignment of additional or developmental duties, special projects, or changes in the scope of the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may temporarily or permanently change at any time, with or without notice.
The University of South Florida is an EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Title VI/Title VII/Title IX/504/ADA/ADEA employer. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information. The University of South Florida is an “at will” employer. This job description does not constitute an employment contract or negate “at-will” employment.
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.