Research Internship in Software Systems & Security

Applications are invited for an exciting research internship in software systems and security with the MadriSec group (GitHub) at the IMDEA Software Institute. The selected candidate will work closely with Prof. Georgios Portokalidis on binary and malware analysis.

The intern will work at the intersection of operating systems, binary analysis, and malware analysis, developing analyses and tools with real-world security impact. The internship has a minimum duration of 6 months, and outstanding interns will be encouraged to apply for a fully funded PhD position.

Responsibilities include enhancing the framework to improve analysis accuracy, as well as extending it to support binary programs of unknown or untrusted provenance.

Who should apply?

Applicants must possess:

• strong, demonstrable programming and tool-building skills (we ask that you provide links to repos, tools, compilers, projects, etc.).
• experience in three or more of:
  • Binary analysis tools (e.g., Angr, IDA, Egalito, Binary Ninja, etc.)
  • The Linux operating system.
  • Programming in C/C++.
  • Malware analysis, including common attack techniques and analysis methodologies.
  • Familiarity with ELF binaries and dynamic linking.
  • LLMs or/and ML.
• a genuine passion for software security and systems research.
• An MSc degree in Computer Science (or related) completed within the last three years (two years for non-EU citizens).

Working at IMDEA Software

Ranked among Europe’s leading research institutes in Computer Security, IMDEA offers:

• A collaborative, international environment in Madrid’s Montegancedo Science & Technology Park.
• Competitive salary, excellent public healthcare, unemployment and retirement benefits.
• Travel support for research.
• English as the working language (no Spanish required).

Dates

Start date: September 2026.

Application deadline: 22 March 2026.

Applications are reviewed immediately and until the position is filled.

How to apply?

Applicants interested in the position should submit their application at https://careers.software.imdea.org/ Choose option Intern and use reference code 2026-03-intern-binanalysis.

The recruitment process will comply with the IMDEA Software Institute’s OTM-R Policy (Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment).

Questions?

Contact Georgios Portokalidis: .

The hiring process in the SONIC project is supported by the European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre and its Members.