Technologist - Digital Security Research

About the role

Amnesty International is looking for a Technologist to work within its Security Lab, researching surveillance technologies and helping build tools that protect human rights defenders from unlawful surveillance. The post is based in London, but applications are also considered from candidates in Bangkok, Berlin, Colombo, Johannesburg, Mexico and Nairobi. The salary depends on location and runs from USD 69,292 to USD 93,251 per year.

Key responsibilities

• Lead research on unlawful targeted surveillance against civil society and on the surveillance industry
• Track surveillance companies and the technical infrastructure behind spyware and phishing attacks against civil society
• Assist human rights defenders with digital security and forensics analysis of their devices
• Build capacity in partner organisations so they can carry out their own research on targeted surveillance
• Work with colleagues in the Security Lab and across the movement so research supports campaigning and advocacy
• Build relationships with civil society organisations fighting unlawful surveillance of human rights defenders

Required profile

• Experience in technical investigations to identify, map and track spyware or phishing campaigns, in threat intelligence and in malware analysis, with an emphasis on confidentiality and operational security
• Proven ability to investigate cyber-surveillance by state actors and the surveillance industry
• Significant experience doing mobile device forensics on Android, iOS or both
• Knowledge of how sophisticated digital threats, including surveillance, affect civil society globally or in a specific region
• An existing record of publications on digital security or surveillance issues

Required skills

• Development knowledge (preferably Python or Go) is a plus
• Familiarity with risk assessment methodologies and the ability to apply them in investigations and research