cv

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Basics

Name Joshua Sylvester
Label Cyber Security Researcher
Summary A motivated and hardworking researcher with a passion for artificial intelligence and cyber security. Experienced in reinforcement learning, cyber defence, and machine learning applications. Committed to advancing autonomous cyber defence through scalable reinforcement learning methods and the detection and mitigation of novel threats.

Work

  • 2025.07 - Present
    Cyber Security Researcher
    Along side the Alan Turing Institute
    Researching reinforcement learning for autonomous cyber defence.
  • 2023.01 - Present
    Graduate Teaching Assistant
    University of Kent
    Lead instructor during practical sessions, responsible for grading, feedback, academic support, and facilitating student engagement.
    • Led undergraduate computing classes.
    • Prepared instructional materials and guided student projects.
  • 2022.06 - 2022.12
    Security Research Intern
    Orange Cyberdefense
    Applied machine learning to cybersecurity problems such as text classification and named-entity recognition. Automated data labelling and built containerised solutions for production.
    • Developed web scrapers and automated labelling pipelines.
    • Produced monthly and final-year security landscape reports.
  • 2019.01 - 2021.12
    Personal Shopper
    Tesco
    Managed customer orders, ensured order accuracy, and maintained stock rotation and safety compliance.
    • Trained new staff members in operational procedures.
  • 2017.01 - 2019.12
    Waiter
    Othello’s Restaurant
    Provided customer service in a fast-paced environment, handled transactions, and ensured hygiene standards.
    • Developed strong teamwork and customer communication skills.

Education

  • 2023.01 - Present
    PhD (Ongoing)
    University of Kent
    Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence
  • 2019.09 - 2022.06
    Bachelor’s Degree (Hons)
    University of Kent
    Computer Science
  • 2017.09 - 2019.06
    Pre-University
    East Norfolk Sixth Form College
    A-Levels
    • Computer Science (B)
    • Chemistry (A)
    • Mathematics (B)
  • 2015.09 - 2017.06
    GCSEs
    University Technical College Norfolk
    General Education
    • Mathematics (8)
    • Physics (A)
    • Chemistry (A)
    • Computer Science (B)
    • Engineering (Pass)

Awards

Skills

Technical Skills
Cyber Security
Reinforcement Learning
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Python
Docker
Data Analysis
Soft Skills
Attention to Detail
Creativity
Organisation
Training and Teaching
Teamwork
Time Management
Communication

Projects

  • Reward Shaping for Network Defence
    Collaborative research project with Dstl ARCD exploring reinforcement learning techniques for autonomous cyber defence agents.
    • Applied reinforcement learning to network defence tasks.

Interests

Hobbies
Fishing
Swimming
Gym
Reading
Cooking