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Critical infrastructure, Internet of Things devices, Department of Defense (DoD) systems, communication systems, and traditional IT infrastructure all have one thing in common: their logical processing affects, and is affected by, the physical world. The Cyber-Physical Systems Group conducts research to understand the cybersecurity implications of these cyber-physical phenomena and develops first-of-their-kind prototypes for the Department of Defense, intelligence community, and federal agencies.

The Cyber Physical Systems Group tackles key problems in the convergence of cybersecurity and the physical world in an interdisciplinary research and development environment. We focus on cyber-physical sensing, cyber-physical effects, and red-teaming using techniques like building or applying advanced and novel sensors, digital processing, side-channel analysis, AI/ML, reverse engineering, system exploitation, and RF communications.

Position Description

In this role, you will work with a multidisciplinary team to support existing efforts in the cyber-physical domain. Prospective candidates may:

+ Conduct research and development in Radio Frequency (RF) signal analysis

+ Reverse-engineer hardware and/or software systems and develop proof-of-concept capabilities exploiting their vulnerabilities

+ Prototype new capabilities using various hardware transmitters such as Software Defined Radios (SDR’s)

+ Conduct vulnerability analysis on wireless, mobile, or advanced computing systems

+ Apply AI/ML to spectrum analysis and hardware analysis problems

The intern will work closely with a mentor from the Cyber Physical Systems Group technical staff. Successful candidates are interested in the inter-disciplinary nature of the cyber-physical problem space and are willing to develop new expertise in the pursuit of solving unconventional problems.

Degree and Experience Requirements

The successful candidate will be a degree candidate in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or other related area with interest in cyber security.

Skills and Capabilities

Candidate must have excellent follow-up and problem-solving skills. In addition, demonstrated capabilities in a subset of the following areas are highly desired:

+ High-level scripting languages, such as Python

+ Low-level languages, such as C or assembly

+ Computing architecture design, instruction set architectures, and operating system internals

+ Software-defined radios

+ RF spectrum analysis and digital signal processing

+ Machine-learning and artificial intelligence

+ Digital logic and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs)

+ Binary reverse engineering and exploitation, including tools such as IDA or Ghidra

Summer Research Program Overview

The Summer Research Program offers students the chance to apply their academic knowledge to real-world national security challenges while working alongside leading scientists and engineers. As an SRP intern, you’ll engage in hands-on research, receive dedicated mentorship, and take part in professional development opportunities including workshops, tech talks, and networking events—all while building connections within a vibrant community of peers.

+ Internships are typically 10–12 weeks, with flexible start and end dates, typically May through early August.

+ Housing support is available for eligible non-local interns, including access to discounted university housing in Boston and a one-time taxable relocation payment.

+ Complimentary daily shuttle transportation is provided from Boston-based housing to and from the Lab.

Learn more about the Summer Research Program at: https://www.ll.mit.edu/careers/student-opportunities/summer-research-program

Compensation

Hourly pay rates below are effective January 2025 – December 2025 and will be reviewed again for Summer 2026.

+ Freshman (BS expected May/June 2029): $24.50/hour

+ Sophomore (BS expected May/June 2028): $26.00/hour

+ Junior (BS expected May/June 2027): $28.00/hour

+ Senior (5-year BS program, completed 4 years by May/June 2026): $31.00/hour

+ Bachelor’s degree completed in 2026: $34.50/hour

+ BS + 1 (BS completed May/June 2025, 1st year of MS in 2025–26): $36.00/hour

+ BS + 2 (BS completed May/June 2024, 2nd year of MS in 2025–26, degree not yet conferred): $37.50/hour

+ MS (Master’s degree expected May/June 2026): $38.00/hour

+ MS + 1 (MS completed May/June 2025, 1st year of PhD in 2025–26): $40.50/hour

+ MS + 2 (MS completed May/June 2024, 2nd year of PhD in 2025–26): $42.00/hour

+ MS + 3 (MS completed May/June 2023, 3rd year of PhD in 2025–26): $43.00/hour

Selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret level DoD security clearance.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or genetic information; U.S. citizenship is required.

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