Project Scientist - School of Computer Science - S3D

Carnegie Mellon University is a private, global research university that stands among the world’s most renowned education institutions. With ground-breaking brain science, path-breaking performances, creative start-ups, big data, big ambitions, hands-on learning, and a whole lot of robots, CMU doesn’t imagine the future, we invent it. If you’re passionate about joining a community that challenges the curious to deliver work that matters, your journey starts here!

The School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University has a Project Scientist opening to work on an interdisciplinary project focused on modeling and mitigating risks introduced by agentic AI in the enterprise. This opening can be a particularly good match for a post-doctoral candidate, though applicants are not required to have a PhD

Agentic AI systems—capable of autonomous task execution, decision-making, and multi-step planning—are rapidly being integrated into workplace environments. These systems can schedule meetings, interact with email and web services, generate reports, access internal systems, and coordinate across third-party tools, effectively acting as semi-autonomous digital employees.  While these capabilities offer significant productivity gains, they also introduce fundamentally new categories of risk that extend beyond traditional model-level concerns. In particular, agentic AI expands the risk surface from isolated model behavior to complex, system-level interactions involving tools, data, users, and external services.

This project focuses on two central research questions:

• How does agentic AI—particularly autonomy, tool use, and multi-step planning—reshape traditional cybersecurity and privacy threat models in enterprise environments?
• What technical and governance mechanisms (e.g., permissioning, monitoring, sandboxing, policy enforcement) are most effective in mitigating these risks while ensuring meaningful human oversight and control?

Candidates are expected to be capable of working under limited supervision, be well organized and have strong communication skills. They are also expected to have experience collaborating with others in the context of research projects.

This work involves working under the guidance of Prof. Norman Sadeh and Prof. Joe Calandrino and builds on their prior research.  The project is funded by PwC's Digital Transformation and Innovation Center and is expected to be informed by interactions with PwC personnel and PwC clients.

Core Responsibilities

• Development of threat and failure taxonomies for agentic AI in the enterprise
• Development and simulation of synthetic workflows
• Failure mode analysis
• Development and evaluation of mitigation strategies
• Identification/development of relevant metrics.

Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University.  We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in computer science or a related discipline required. Doctorate degree preferred.
• 1-3 years of research experience required.
• Research experience in areas related to AI, Agentic AI, privacy, security and/or threat modeling with multiple peer-reviewed publications at top tier academic venues required.  
• A combination of education and proven experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Requirements:

• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check

Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.

Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance. 

Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!

For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.

Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!

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