International Association
for Cryptologic Research

The new Hardware Security lab at TalTech (https://www.taltech.ee/en/), led by Prof. Samuel Pagliarini (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Samuel_Pagliarini), invites applications for a postdoctoral position. The lab will conduct research in the area of Hardware Security focusing on trustworthy integrated circuit (IC) design, electronic design automation (EDA) for secure systems, Hardware Trojans, reverse engineering, circuit obfuscation, crypto implementation in hardware and other related topics.

Requirements: We are looking for motivated individuals with a strong background in circuit design. Having a PhD degree is mandatory for this position, but candidates close to the completion of a PhD are also encouraged to apply. Previous expertise on Hardware Security is desirable. The candidates are expected to have the following core skills: Ability to describe digital circuitry (preferably in Verilog), Ability to write C++/python scripts for building small EDA tools, Familiarity w/ Cadence tools for IC design (Genus, Innovus, Tempus, Virtuoso, etc.), Strong writing and communicating skills (English) that are compatible with an entry-level research position.

Other skills are considered a plus: Familiarity with EDA tools from other vendors (Calibre, ICC, DC, etc.), Hands-on experience with tapeouts of digital ICs, In-depth understanding of hardware/software boundaries and security implications, In-depth understanding of crypto algorithms and their hardware implementations, Publication(s) in topics related to IC design and security, Experience on writing grant proposals and managing research projects

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Please submit your CV to Prof. Pagliarini by email ([email protected]) using the subject ‘Postdoc in Hardware Security’. Candidates with adequate backgrounds will be invited to interview over Skype. This position has an immediate start date. 

More information: https://www.mendeley.com/careers/job/7310393/postdoctoral-researcher-in-hardware-security/

The new Hardware Security lab at TalTech (https://www.taltech.ee/en/), led by Prof. Samuel Pagliarini (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Samuel_Pagliarini), invites applications for several fully-funded PhD positions. The lab will conduct research in the area of Hardware Security, focusing on trustworthy integrated circuit (IC) design, electronic design automation (EDA) for secure systems, Hardware Trojans, reverse engineering, circuit obfuscation, crypto implementation in hardware and other similar topics. Requirements: We are looking for motivated PhD students with a strong background in circuit design. Previous expertise on Hardware Security is not required but is desirable. The candidates are expected to hold a master's degree and have the following core skills: - Ability to describe digital circuitry (preferably in Verilog) - Ability to write C++/python scripts for building small EDA tools - Some familiarity w/ Cadence tools for IC design (Genus, Innovus, Tempus, Virtuoso, etc.) - Strong writing skills (English) that are compatible with doctoral-level requirements, i.e., writing academic papers and articles. - In-depth understanding of hardware/software boundaries and security implications - In-depth understanding of crypto algorithms and their hardware implementations All positions have an immediate start date. The nominal duration of a PhD degree is 4 years at TalTech. Salaries are competitive for European PhD scholarships standards.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Please submit your CV and transcripts to Prof. Pagliarini by email ([email protected]) using the subject ‘PhD in Hardware Security’. Candidates with adequate backgrounds will be invited to interview over Skype.

More information: https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BTY880/phd-positions-in-hardware-security

Location: One European capital (to be determined shortly) Available positions: - Team Leader (1): Lead a small cryptography team in the local European office and contribute to research activities as part of the team. The team leader is an established researcher with rich experience in research-related management. - Team Members (6-10): Well-motivated researchers to contribute to research activities performed by the research team. Duties & Responsibilities: - For these positions, the candidates should be prepared to research at the cutting-edge, in areas including but not limited to: Post-quantum cryptography Multi-party computation Fully homomorphic encryption Functional encryption Zero-knowledge proofs Threshold schemes for cryptographic primitives Custom protocol & solutions based on security hardware and cryptography for specific use cases - Publish research results in the top conferences and professional journals. - Formulate research problems based on real-world security requirements and independently conduct high-quality research. Design innovative solutions according to requirements from Huawei’s product lines, while fulfilling various constraints imposed by aspects such as compliance, manufacturing process, hardware capability, performance, cost, etc. Design and develop prototypes; deliver research results and provide a competitive solution to the product lines. - Work on Intellectual Property (i.e. patents) and in standardization activities. - Develop collaborations with industry peers and academia. - Participate and contribute in corporate direction and strategy planning for security technologies. Skills / Qualifications: - Ph.D. in Mathematics, Cryptography, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field with more than 5 years of experience in information security and applied cryptography. - Solid skills in at least one programming language: C, C++, Java, GO, etc. - Good written and verbal communication skills, including fluency in English and/or Chinese languages. - Self-motivated with a strong sense of responsibility. - Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skill

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Dr. Wu Shuang email: [email protected]

More information: https://www.huawei.com/en/

The School of Business Informatics and Mathematics at the University of Mannheim and the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Sociology, at the University of Duisburg-Essen are in total looking for

Two Research Assistants

for a collaboration project on

Privacy-Preserving Record Linkage.

Your key responsibilities: Scientific collaboration within the project of the German Research Foundation (DFG) Development of realistic attack scenarios for the combination of personal data and algorithms to prevent such attacks. In this interdisciplinary project between the two universities, methods for privacy-preserving linkage of sensitive personal data, such as patient data, are investigated and improved. The opportunity for further scientific qualification with the possibility of acquiring a PhD is offered.

Your profile: University degree in Computer Science, Computational Social Science or Statistics of at least 8 semesters. Required are programming skills, interest in the development of algorithms and discrete mathematics. In-depth knowledge of cryptography, computer security or mathematical game theory is of advantage.

• Occupation date: As soon as possible
• Duration of contract: 36 months
• Working time: Full-time position
• Payment: Pay group E 13 TV-L (min. 3800€/month)

The University of Mannheim and the University of Duisburg-Essen pursue the goal of promoting the diversity of their members. They aim to increase the proportion of women in scientific staff and therefore invite women with relevant qualifications to apply. Women with the same qualifications will be given preferential treatment in accordance with the state equality laws. Applications from suitable severely disabled and similar persons within the meaning of § 2 Para. 3 SGB IX are welcome.

Closing date for applications: 31 December 2019

Contact: Please send your application with the usual documents by e-mail to:

Prof. Dr. Rainer Schnell, e-mail: sekretariat.schnell (at) uni-due.de

PQShield Ltd. is a University of Oxford spin-out specialising in Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). As an active participant in the NIST PQC standardisation process, our mission is to provide industry-leading implementations and solutions for transition from current standard cryptography to quantum-resistant algorithms.

We invite established Cryptography Engineers to join our development team. Candidates are expected to have a minimum of 3 years of experience in designing, implementing (production quality code), evaluating, and benchmarking various types of cryptosystems (i.e. public and symmetric key algorithms and cryptographic protocols).

You are not afraid to learn new mathematical concepts and have instincts for solid security engineering and elegant architectural design. Since our work is groundbreaking in many ways, our engineering roles require an inquisitive and creative mind (textbooks on post-quantum cryptographic engineering are yet to be written). Enthusiastic and skilful computer programmers are welcome and we encourage new research.

Experience with cryptographic libraries (e.g. OpenSSL and derivatives) is essential. Skills related to systems programming (Rust, C), network programming, mobile and embedded systems (ARM, RISC-V), hardware-software codesign (Verilog, VHDL), and even web application frameworks are beneficial.

The company is offering very competitive packages (including share option scheme, relocation, private health insurance, etc.).

To apply, please send your CV to jobs (at) pqshield.com

Deadline for applications is 15th of August 2019.

Closing date for applications: 15 August 2019

Contact: For informal enquiries, please contact Ali El Kaafarani on elkaafarani (at) pqshield.com

More information: https://pqshield.com

PQShield Ltd. is a University of Oxford spin-out specialising in Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). As an active participant in NIST PQC standardisation process, our mission is to provide industry-leading implementations and solutions for transition from current standard cryptography to quantum-resistant algorithms.

We invite established Cryptography Engineers to join our development team. Candidates are expected to have a minimum of 3 years of experience in designing, implementing (production quality code), evaluating, and benchmarking various types of cryptosystems (i.e. public and symmetric key algorithms and cryptographic protocols).

You are not afraid to learn new mathematical concepts and have instincts for solid security engineering and elegant architectural design. Since our work is groundbreaking in many ways, our engineering roles require an inquisitive and creative mind (textbooks on post-quantum cryptographic engineering are yet to be written). Enthusiastic and skilful computer programmers are welcome and we encourage new research.

Experience with cryptographic libraries (e.g. OpenSSL and derivatives) is essential. Skills related to systems programming (Rust, C), network programming, mobile and embedded systems (ARM, RISC-V), hardware-software codesign (Verilog, VHDL), and even web application frameworks are beneficial.

The company is offering very competitive packages (including share option scheme, relocation, private health insurance, etc.).

To apply, please send your CV to jobs (at) pqshield.com

Multiple vacancies are available and deadline for applications is 7th of August 2019.

Closing date for applications: 7 August 2019

Contact: For informal enquiries, contact Ali El Kaafarani on elkaafarani (at) pqshield.com

One fully funded PhD position in symmetric-key cryptography on the topic of “Cryptanalysis of Lightweight Symmetric-key Algorithms”.

Overview of the Project

In this project the candidate will analyse the security of lightweight symmetric-key algorithms such as block ciphers, stream ciphers and hash functions. The targets for analysis will be selected from the following groups: candidates for standardization submitted to the NIST lightweight cryptography (LC) competition, LC algorithms used in existing IoT applications, algorithms based on modular addition.

Candidate’s profile

• Bachelors or Masters degree in computer science, mathematics or related area
• Proficiency in English (both oral and written)
• Strong algorithmic skills and programming experience (C/C++, Python)
• Experience in competitive programming (IOI, CodeForces) and/or Capture-the-Flag competitions is a definite advantage

Studentship and eligibility

The studentship starting in 2019/20 covers:

• Full time PhD tuition fees for a student with UK/EU nationality (£4,327 per annum, subject to annual increment).
• A tax free stipend of GBP £15,009 per year for 3 years.
• Additional programme costs of £1000 per year.

Application Information

Applicants should apply via the University’s admissions portal (EUCLID) by 26 July 2019. After that date applications will be considered until the position is filled. Detailed application instructions including a list of required documents and a link to EUCLID are available on the university website:

https://www.ed.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate/fees/research-scholarships/research-grant-funding/phd-in-cryptanalysis-of-lightweight-symmetric-key

Closing date for applications: 26 July 2019

Contact: Dr. Vesselin Velichkov, vvelichk (at) ed.ac.uk

More information: https://bit.ly/2XmVygw

The Department of Computer Science at Technische Universität Darmstadt, Germany

Applications are invited for a PhD student (Research Assistant) position in Symmetric-Key Cryptographic Design and/or Network Protocol Analysis. The position is funded through CRISP, the Center for Research in Security and Privacy (https://www.crisp-da.de).

Job Description

The Candidate is expected to perform scientific research in the areas of Symmetric-Key Cryptographic Design and/or Network Protocol Analysis. Specifically the design of Authenticated Encryption schemes (AEAD) that are lightweight or that offer resistance to side channels, and the analysis of cryptographic network protocols like Tor and Signal. The position is based in Darmstadt and will involve international travel to conduct and present research. We provide an optimal working environment and support the researcher to publish results at leading international conferences and journals.

The position is initially offered for three years but can be extended to a longer duration. The starting date is as soon as possible.

Your Profile

• Completed a Master’s degree (or equivalent) with good grades in computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.

• Solid mathematical background and good problem-solving skills.

• Fluent in English, both verbal and written, and good communication skills.

• Motivated to conduct research work and able to work independently.

• Proficiency in computer programming, computer networks, Latex, and system administration are considered beneficial but not necessary.

How To Apply

Please submit your application in English consisting of a motivation letter stating why you are interested and qualify for the position, your current curriculum vitae including two references, and copies of relevant certificates and detailed transcripts with grades.

Closing date for applications: 31 August 2019

Contact: Please send your application in a single PDF file to Jean Paul Degabriele (jeanpaul [dot] degabriele [at] crisp-da [dot] de) with the subject line “PhD Application”. Review of applications will start immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The ERC project QUASYModo, started in 2017, has as aim preparing symmetric cryptology for a quantum world.

Our main topics are classical and quantum cryptanalysis of symmetric primitives, quantum algorithms for cryptanalysis and design of quantum-safe symmetric primitives.

QUASYModo is currently formed by 6 members, with regular visits of collaborators.

We have an available Post-doc position for 2 or 3 years for working on the project (the exact subject can be discussed and is flexible). Previous knowledge of cryptanalysis or of quantum algorithms is a requirement (the knowledge of both would be much appreciated, but it is not necessary).

Please, contact María for more information if interested.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: María Naya-Plasencia,

maria.naya_plasencia at inria.fr

More information: https://project.inria.fr/quasymodo/

The positions are for three (3) years, starting in early-mid 2019.

The first position is for Mitigation of Cyberattacks in Wearable Devices and the second position is for Decentralized Privacy-preserving Data Sharing.

The positions are funded by the European Commission under the Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN) program RAIS, which focuses on the design of decentralized, scalable and secure collective awareness platforms for real-time data analytics and machine learning, which preserve end-user privacy and information ownership.

Closing date for applications: 31 July 2019

Contact: Prof. Evangelos Markatos

More information: https://bit.ly/2XJgfUZ

Multiple Post-Docs in Post-Quantum Cryptography

Academia Sinica, at the very edge of Taipei, is the national research institute of Taiwan.

Here we have an active group of cryptography researchers, including Dr. Bo-Yin Yang, Dr. Kai-Min Chung, Dr. Tung Chou (joining soon), and Prof. Chen-Mou Cheng (adjunct with National Taiwan University), covering wide research topics in cryptography and actively collaborating with researchers from related research areas such as program verification.

We are looking for Post-Docs in PQC (Post-Quantum Cryptography). Here PQC is broadly defined. Starting date is late 2019 to early 2020, for terms of 1 year, renewable.

Potential PQC research topics include cryptanalysis, implementation, and theory. Bo-Yin is in particular interested in people who have hands on experience with the design, implementation and/or analysis of cryptosystems submitted to NIST\'s post-quantum standardization project, and Kai-Min is looking for people interested in theoretical aspects of Post-Quantum Cryptography, such as security in the QROM model and novel (post-)quantum primitives and protocols. We are also particularly interested in people with diverse background to facilitate collaboration among our group members.

Requires background in mathematics, computer science and cryptography. We desire a research track record in some aspects of post-quantum cryptography, but are especially looking for researchers with a broad research spectrum going from mathematical aspects to the practical side such as implementation aspects.

We offer about 2200 USD (~2000 EUR) per month (commensurate with what a starting assistant professor makes locally) in salary and include a 5000 USD per year personal academic travel budget.

Closing date for applications: 31 December 2019

Contact: Bo-Yin Yang by at crypto dot tw

Kai-Min Chung at kmchung at iis dot sinica dot edu dot tw

The Department of Computer Science at University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) invite applications for

10 PhD positions (salary level 13 TV-L) in Computer Science (full time)

within the Research Training Group 2475 \"Cybercrime and Forensic Computing\" funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) commencing on October 1, 2019.

The Research Training Group aims to systematically analyse research questions arising from the interaction between computer science and criminal law. The principal investigators of this project offer expertise in the following areas:

o Computer security, digital forensic science

o Theoretical computer science (logic, semantics, automata)

o Pattern recognition, image processing, image forensics

o Cryptography

o Hardware-software-co-design

Applicants should have an excellent academic record, hold an MSc or an equivalent university degree in computer science or related disciplines, and have the goal to finish a PhD degree within three years.

Founded in 1743 and situated at the heart of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region, FAU is a strong research university with an international perspective and one of the largest universities in Germany. FAU’s outstanding research and teaching is reflected in top positions in both national and international rankings, as well as the high amount of DFG funding which its researchers are able to secure.

FAU aims to increase the number of women in scientific positions. Female candidates are therefore particularly encouraged to apply. In case of equal qualifications, candidates with disabilities will take precedence.

Please mention in your application at least two research areas from the above list which you are specifically interested in. Interviews will commence between 3.7.2019 and 12.7.2019 in Erlangen. Further inquiries can be directed to Felix Freiling (felix.freiling (at) fau.de) regarding positions in computer science and Hans Kudlich (hans.kudlich (at) fau.de) regarding positions in law.

Closing date for applications: 12 June 2019

Contact: Felix Freiling (felix.freiling (at) fau.de) regarding positions in computer science and Hans Kudlich (hans.kudlich (at) fau.de) regarding positions in law.

More information: https://cybercrime.fau.de

From 2019 on, the DFG (German Research Foundation) will establish the Cluster of Excellence 2092 \\\"CASA of Large-Scale Adversaries\\\" at Ruhr-Universität Bochum. With the support of approximately 30 million euros - 2025, Bochum will become one of the leading international locations for IT security. The cluster pursues the security against large-scale adversaries, in particular nation-state attackers. The research is characterized by a s approach which, in addition to technical questions, also investigates the interaction of human behavior and IT fields of computer science, cryptography, electrical engineering, mathematics and psychology work together in in Europe. This unparalleled holistic approach of CASA holds the potential for scientific breakthroughs. CASA Institute for IT Security, one of the top research institutions, which has Europe\\\'s largest IT security training pr networks with the scientific communication and industry, and has produced numerous successful cyber securit Society plans to establish the \\\"Max Planck Institute for Cyber Security and Protection of Privacy \\\" in the imm with a particularly stimulating effect on the CASA research. This environment offers excellent working condit and exciting field. In addition, CASA offers a friendly working atmosphere in a young and internationally high institution. We are looking for excellent M.Sc. graduates with outstanding grades and degrees in computer scie mathematics and psychology (preferably with a relationship to technology) or related disciplines. In addition, w outstanding postdoctoral candidates from these fields.

Closing date for applications: 2 June 2019

Contact: Contact: Dr. Patrick Schulte

RUHR-UNIVERSITÄT BOCHUM

Exzellenzcluster CASA / Horst Görtz Institute for IT Security

General Manager

ID 2 / 142

Universitätsstr. 150

44780 Bochum, Germany

Tel: +49-(0)234-32-27722

Email: patrick.schulte (at) rub.de

More information: https://twitter.com/HGI_Bochum/status/1087703387343331329 https://twitter.com/HGI_B /1087703387343331329

We are looking for a research fellow (PostDoc), a research/project associate and a research/project assistant, a to join our group to work on the following topics:

- lattice-based cryptography;

- privacy-preserving cryptographic primitives (including zero-knowledge proofs, anonymous credentials, ring signatures);

- blockchain & cryptocurrency.

Candidates for research fellow/associate should have completed (or close to completing) a PhD in computer science, mathematics, or a related discipline. Research assistant are expected to have an honours degree or an equivalent qualification. Post-secondary students will be considered for the position of research/project administrative assistant.

Applicants should have solid experience in any of the following areas:

- Public key cryptography and provable security;

- post-quantum cryptography;

- Software engineering.

Post-doc applicants should have a good track record (e.g. publications in IACR conferences / workshops)

All positions has a flexible starting date. The initial appointment will be for 12 months, with a strong possibility for further appointment.

Review of applications will start immediately until the positions are filled.

Closing date for applications: 30 September 2019

Contact: Man Ho Au

More information: http://www4.comp.polyu.edu.hk/~csallen

We have a postdoctoral position in post-quantum cryptography broadly defined. In particular, anyone interested in algorithmic and/or complexity-theoretic aspects of problems relevant in lattice-based, code-based, and multivariate cryptography is welcome to apply.

The position comes with an internationally competitive salary and generous support for travel. Moreover, there are ample opportunities to collaborate with excellent scientists both based at CQT/NUS and research visitors.

Closing date for applications: 31 October 2019

Contact: Divesh Aggarwal

Assistant Professor, NUS, and Principal Investigator, CQT (joint appointment)

divesh.aggarwal (at) gmail.com

CEA list is looking for a talented student to explore robustness and privacy of graph-neural network based approaches, by considering solutions combining randomization and homomorphic encryption. See https://gouypailler.github.io/files/phdCryptoRobust.pdf for details.

CEA background in these fields

==============================

CEA LIST has been a key leader in fully homomorphic encryption techniques https://github.com/CEA-LIST/Cingulata. In the context of FHE, machine learning applications appear as a killer application. Many key advances have yet to be considered to fully address machine learning applications using FHE technologies. Next technological barriers depend on the computational cost of the considered stage (training or inference) but the main approaches are: first to limit operators used in graph neural networks such that FHE associated computational cost is kept reasonable. Second FHE can be viewed as a building block, which could be activated in specific parts of the pipeline to ensure model or data privacy. CEA LIST is also very active in the field of randomization algorithms to ensure data privacy and robustness to adversarial attacks. Past works include PhD thesis of Anne Morvan and Rafael Pinot.

Closing date for applications: 15 June 2019

Contact: Cedric Gouy-Pailler (cedric.gouy-pailler (at) cea.fr) or Renaud Sirdey

More information: https://gouypailler.github.io/files/phdCryptoRobust.pdf

In the context of the excellence research project “Dependable Internet of Things in Adverse Environments” of Graz University of Technology, we offer nine new PhD positions. One of the core topics of the research of this project is information security.

Graz University of technology offers a very active research environment with more than 70 researchers on all aspects of information security.

Candidates for a PhD in information security should have experience/interest in at least one of the following fields:

* Side Channels

* Operating system security

* Software isolation techniques

* Applied Cryptography

* Formal methods

* Code analysis and compilers

For details on the position and the application process see: https://www.tugraz.at/projekte/dependablethings/jobs/

Closing date for applications: 9 June 2019

Contact: Stefan Mangard, Email: Stefan.Mangard (at) iaik.tugraz.at

More information: https://www.tugraz.at/projekte/dependablethings/jobs/