3 PhD, 1 Postdoc and Multiple Master/Undergraduate Positions in Computer Science

I am an assistant professor of Computer Science at Virginia Tech. Previously, I was a postdoctoral researcher in Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley (with Prof. Dawn Song). I received my Ph.D. and M.A. in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University (with Prof. Prateek Mittal, Prof. Sanjeev R. Kulkarni). I received my B.Eng. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

I am broadly interested in security and privacy, systems and networking, and AI. My research mainly focuses on creating scalable, intelligent, secure, and trustworthy systems and technologies to solve real-world security and privacy challenges. The following are some topics that my lab currently focuses on:

• Cyber attack (e.g., APTs) prevention, detection, investigation, and response and recovery; cyber threat intelligence
• Security for future network architectures and designs (e.g., software-defined network security using P4 switches); zero trust architecture
• AI for security (e.g., LLMs for security); trustworthy AI (e.g., ML robustness/privacy/explainability)

In addition, I have recently become interested in AI for science (chemistry in particular), such as molecule representation learning, molecular property prediction, and molecular design. We have some ongoing projects on these topics.

Postdoctoral associate position available: My colleague, Prof. Bo Ji, and I are seeking a talented individual to fill a postdoctoral associate position at Virginia Tech’s Computer Science Deparment. The successful candidate will collaborate with us on cutting-edge research in programmable switch (P4)-enabled network security, zero-trust architecture, and cyber threat protection. This role promises a competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, and many other benefits such as support for attending academic conferences. The postdoctoral associate will have the unique opportunity to work alongside brilliant Ph.D. students from both of our groups, fostering a collaborative and innovative research environment. Candidates who are interested in this position are encouraged to contact us.

Prospective students: I am recruiting 3 self-motivated Ph.D. students, 1 postdoc, and multiple undergraduate/Master’s students to join my lab, working on exciting projects in system/network security, LLMs for security, or AI for science. If you are interested in working with me, please send me an email at penggao.jobs [at] gmail [dot] com with your CV and transcript.