Hardware Security and Trust GRA - CIPHER - Fall 2026

Overview: The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem‑solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry. Georgia Tech's Mission and Values Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do: Students are our top priority. We strive for excellence. We thrive on diversity. We celebrate collaboration. We champion innovation. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression. We nurture the wellbeing of our community. We act ethically. We are responsible stewards. Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact. Job Description Hardware Security and Trust Division (HST) within the Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research Laboratory (CIPHER) seeks a Graduate Research Assistant starting the Fall 2026 semester with an interest in the development of novel cutting‑edge software tools and/or hardware design to support research in microelectronics and embedded systems hardware security. Work under this research assistant may include: Formal verification of cyber-physical systems involving interactive theorem proving and model checking. Investigating the forefront of various technologies (software development, programming languages, hardware security controls, FPGAs, etc.) as they apply to the security and trust of microelectronic devices and the systems in which they are used. Writing, translating, and coding software programs, applications, tools, and prototypes according to research goals. Researching and implementing applications of hardware-assisted technologies for a variety of cybersecurity-related efforts. Designing and implementing meaningful visualizations of experimental test results and intermediary analysis data structures. Review, analyze, and/or validate software and hardware functional designs. Additional novel research objectives as instructed. Required Minimum Qualifications Graduate Research Assistant Pursuing a Master’s degree or PhD at Georgia Tech in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or related field. Must be enrolled full-time (12+ credit hours). Must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA. Commit to 15‑20 hours of work per week. Preferred Qualifications Computer proficiency (Software Internship): experience in computer programming using at least one of the following: C/C++, Rust, Java, Kotlin, Python, or TCL. Proficiency with languages not listed will also be taken into consideration. Computer proficiency (Hardware Internship): experience working with digital hardware and embedded systems in some capacity (e.g., Digital Design, FPGAs, Microcontrollers, circuit design, schematic capture, etc.). Comfortable working in a Linux environment and with standard laboratory test equipment. Analytical and critical thinking, accountability, strategic thinking and planning, software development, debugging, working in teams; attention to detail, customer service focused. Strong technical skills and ability to learn complex engineering concepts. Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas to non‑technical audiences. Strong mathematical foundation including linear algebra, abstract algebra, real analysis and logic. Proficiency with both Python and C or proficiency with either Python or C and some familiarity with the other. Hours per Week 15‑20 hours per week U.S. Citizenship Requirements Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position are required to be U.S. citizens. Clearance Type Required Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance. Housing and Relocation Housing and relocation assistance are not available for this position. Equal Employment Opportunity The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities. 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Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at #J-18808-Ljbffr Georgia Tech Research Institute