International Association
for Cryptologic Research

Description. Candidates will work in the area of post-quantum cryptography. Candidates will conduct research on design and analysis of post-quantum cryptography. The work may require to carry out some simulations.

Requirements. Candidates are required to have a PhD degree in Mathematics or Computer Science. Experience in one or more of these relevant background areas is an advantage: cryptography, algebra, algebraic number theory or coding theory. Programming skills in Magma software or SAGEMATH software are an advantage. Candidate must be a team worker and able to conduct independent research.

Information and application. All candidates should include their full CV and transcripts and send to Dr Chik How Tan, tsltch@nus.edu.sg. The application deadline is 15 May 2023. We encourage early applications and review of applications will begin immediately. Only shortlisted applications will be notified.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Dr Chik How Tan (tsltch@nus.edu.sg)

The Cryptography and Privacy Engineering Group (ENCRYPTO) @Department of Computer Science @TU Darmstadt offers a full position for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Cryptography & Privacy Engineering, available immediately and for initially until 31.1.2025.

Our mission is to demonstrate that privacy can be efficiently protected in real-world applications via cryptographic protocols.

TU Darmstadt is a top research university for IT security, cryptography and computer science in Europe. The position is based in the City of Science Darmstadt, which is very international, livable and well-connected in the Rhine-Main area around Frankfurt. Knowledge of German is helpful, but not required, and TU Darmstadt offers a Welcome Center and language courses.

Job description

As postdoc @ENCRYPTO, you conduct research, build prototype implementations, and publish and present the results at top venues. You are involved in project management, teaching, co-advise PhD students and supervise thesis students & student research assistants. The position is co-funded by the ERC Starting Grant “Privacy-preserving Services on the Internet” (PSOTI), where we build privacy-preserving services on the Internet, which includes designing protocols for privately processing data among untrusted service providers using secure multi-party computation and implementing a scalable framework.

Your profile

• Completed PhD degree (or equivalent) at a top university in IT security, computer science, applied mathematics, electrical engineering, or a similar area
• Publications at top venues (CORE rank A*/A) for IT security/applied cryptography (e.g., EUROCRYPT, S&P, CCS, NDSS, USENIX SEC), ideally on cryptographic protocols and secure computation
• Experience in software development, project management and supervising students
• Self-motivated, reliable, creative, can work in a team, and want to do excellent research on challenging scientific problems with practical relevance
• The working language at ENCRYPTO is English, so you must be able to discuss/write/present scientific results in English, whereas German is not required.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Thomas Schneider (application@encrypto.cs.tu-darmstadt.de)

More information: https://encrypto.de/POSTDOC

The Faculty of Science and the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) are looking for a PhD Candidate in Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning to work with Assistant Professor Eleftheria Makri.

The successful applicant should be a motivated university graduate who is a top performer among his/her peers and has an excellent education and/or research track record proven by relevant experience, publications, etc. The applicant is expected to have:

MSc degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Cryptography, Applied Mathematics, or related field;

Solid background in Computer Science and Mathematics;

Good programming skills in e.g., Python, C, C++;

Experience with Machine Learning;

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

For more information about the position, please see: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/vacatures/2023/kwartaal-1/23-124phd-candidate-privacy-preserving-machine-learning

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Eleftheria Makri: e.makri@liacs.leidenuniv.nl

More information: https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/vacatures/2023/kwartaal-1/23-124phd-candidate-privacy-preserving-machine-learning

We are looking for a Research Associate to contribute, in the frame of an EU funded project, to the research and the development of solutions in the area of security and privacy, with a special focus on distributed systems and blockchain security.

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong experience in system security and distributed systems
• Experience in blockchain technologies.
• Experience in cryptography
• Experience in software development with programming languages such as Python, Golang, Java, or C/C++
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English

Our work ranges from foundational research and IPR creation to prototype development for NEC products and services.

The Security group (SEC) is considered one of the pioneers in Europe in the area of security and privacy R&D with its top researchers in the fields of cloud security, blockchain security, system security, and applied cryptography.

At NEC Laboratories Europe, we provide a collaborative, team-working environment that supports your career aspirations. Our working language is English. The position is initially limited to two years.

NEC Laboratories Europe is located in the beautiful city of Heidelberg, Germany. Home office schemes within the country may be offered. Heidelberg is an international and lively city with a large number of exciting cultural, entertainment, and outdoor activities.

Application deadline: March 27, 2023

For further detail and how to apply, see:

https://jobs.neclab.eu/jobs/openings/staff/NEC-NLE-2301-461-SEC-1-Research_Associate_%5b2301_461_SEC%5d.pdf

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Giorgia Marson

More information: https://jobs.neclab.eu/jobs/openings/staff/NEC-NLE-2301-461-SEC-1-Research_Associate_%5b2301_461_SEC%5d.pdf

Are you fascinated by security? Are you willing to take on the challenge of securing the next generation of computer systems and networks? Do you like to work in a team of young researchers? We are seeking a PhD candidate who is interested in interdisciplinary research on side-channel attacks against quantum devices used in quantum networks.

Quantum technologies are being developed at a fast page. On the one hand, progress on the development of quantum computers poses a serious threat for our security infrastructure, especially for public-key cryptography. On the other hand, quantum components bring novel opportunities since they will be integrated in our networks and could bring novel security functionalities. However, quantum components are mostly experimental, and their security is yet to be studied and assessed in depth. In particular, little is known about their susceptibility against side-channel and physical attacks and, as a direct consequence, we do not know if and which countermeasures can be applied.

This PhD position will study the problem of side channels and physical attacks against quantum devices, understanding the extent to which they could be considered a threat and exploring potential methodologies to counteract and mitigate them. In collaboration with experimental physicists, experiments on real quantum devices are expected to be carried out to assess their robustness.

The fully funded PhD position will be at University of Amsterdam and QuSoft. The position is a part of the Quantum Delta NL Groeifonds project CAT-2, development of a national quantum network and will also involve collaboration with the experimental and theoretical partners of the CAT-2 project.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Christian Schaffner

More information: https://vacatures.uva.nl/UvA/job/PhD/742058802/

Several fully-funded PhD student openings for Fall 2023 are available in cryptography, computer security, privacy, and blockchain-based systems at the University of Connecticut (UConn), Computer Science and Engineering department, led by Prof. Ghada Almashaqbeh.

The positions provide a great opportunity for students with interest in interdisciplinary projects that combine knowledge from various fields towards the design of secure systems and protocols. We target real-world and timely problems and aim to develop secure and practical solutions backed by rigorous foundations and efficient implementations/thorough performance testing. We are also interested in conceptual projects that contribute in bridging the gap between theory and practice of Cryptography.

For more information about our current and previous projects please check https://ghadaalmashaqbeh.github.io/research/. For interested students, please send your CV to ghada@uconn.edu and provide any relevant information about your research interests, and relevant skills and background.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Ghada Almashaqbeh

More information: https://ghadaalmashaqbeh.github.io/research/

A University Professor position for the specialist field of “Privacy” with permanent (full-time) contract is expected to be filled as of 1 March, 2024 at the Institute of Logic and Computation (Faculty of Informatics) at TU Wien, Austria’s largest institution of research and higher education in the fields of technology and natural sciences.

We are looking for a candidate with strong scientific foundations and demonstrated expertise in the design of innovative privacy-enhancing technologies that fulfill the needs of our digital society. Desired core areas of competence include but are not limited to:

• Data Privacy
• Privacy in analytics and machine learning
• Theoretical foundations of and formal methods for privacy
• Privacy-preserving protocols, applications, and systems
• Anonymous communication, censorship-resistance
• Cryptographic techniques for privacy
• Human-centered design and usability of privacy technologies

Besides research, the duties include undergraduate and graduate teaching as well as contributing to usual management and faculty service tasks.

Application deadline: 4 May 2023

For all details and to apply, see: jobs.tuwien.ac.at/Job/203700

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Carmen Keck

More information: https://jobs.tuwien.ac.at/Job/203700

Description

As a Senior Cryptography Engineer in Applied Cryptography at IOG you must be an engineer, an architect, an applied cryptographer and leader - it’s a multifaceted role. You have the exciting challenge of working with bleeding-edge research and technology, always with a focus on the market's needs. You will be a leader to an exceptional team. Working on everything from Post-Quantum prototypes to hand-optimisation of existing primitives to completely new products.

Your mission
- Champion of the applied cryptography team
- Captain end to end development and delivery of new products
- Spearhead prototyping of cryptographic products
- Translate research into rigorous engineering specifications & implementations
- Meticulously review cryptographic protocols and proposed primitives
- Expert knowledge of ZK protocols, including PlonK and IPA commitment scheme
- Expert knowledge of elliptic curve cryptography
- Familiarity with blockchain cryptography and constructions
- Practical experience with implementation of cryptographic primitives
- Expert in terms of secure design (constant time, operational security, management of key material)
- Document code and APIs concisely and unambiguously
- Pragmatically adhere to software engineering principles (modularity, incremental development, no premature optimization, no feature creep, no speculative generality, ...)
- Security sensibility related to cryptographic implementation
- Good theoretical cryptography and mathematical knowledge
- Ability to read cryptographic papers, explain them, and manage delivery of their implementation

Your expertise
Degree in Computer Science/Engineering or Applied Mathematics is desirable but not essential
A minimum of 4-5 years development experience (professional or otherwise) in Rust
Experience working with Git and version control
Expert knowledge of applied cryptographic engineering & best practices

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Marios Nicolaides

Description

As Cryptographic Engineer at IO Global, you will have the exciting challenge of working on cutting-edge research and technology focusing on the market’s needs. You will be working on Midnight, specifically on the zero-knowledge proofs that power Midnight.

The Cryptography Engineering team is growing with the goal of bringing recent academic papers into production. In this team, you will work closely with researchers and engineers, being the bridge between both teams. As Cryptography Engineer you are responsible for writing high-quality code. To support you, our products have software architects, product managers, delivery managers, formal methods specialists, and QA test engineers, with whom you must communicate professionally, effectively, and efficiently.

Your mission
- Working with teams across time zones
- Working independently on software development tasks
- Being proactive and requiring minimal supervision or mentoring to complete tasks
- Reviewing specifications produced by architects and formal methods specialists
- Contributing to the design of algorithms
- Troubleshooting, debugging, and upgrading software
- Writing documentation for the code
- Writing technical user manuals
- Understanding complex cryptographic concepts from academic papers
- Bridging ideas from academic papers to production-ready systems

Requirements
Your expertise
- Excellent Mathematical and Analytical skills.
- Experience with Rust. Not necessarily in industry.
- Knowledge of basic cryptographic concepts (Hash Functions,
- Signature Schemes or Elliptic Curves).
- Degree in computer science or mathematics is desirable, but not essential.
- Experience with systems programming (Rust)
- Skilled in software development methods such as agile programming and test-driven development
- Experience in developing cryptography protocols would be a bonus, as would blockchain experience.

Location IOG is a distributed organization and therefore this is a remote position.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Marios Nicolaides marios.nicolaides@iohk.io

More information: https://apply.workable.com/io-global/j/4437128D09/

The Cryptography and Cybersecurity team of Télécom Paris (https://www.telecom-paris.fr/C2) is seeking for excellent and motivated candidates who are interested in doing a PhD thesis/Post-doc in cryptography. We have several fundings, for three years PhD thesis or 1-2 years Post-doc, on topics related to advanced encrypted mechanisms for data security and privacy. The successful candidates will be supervised or co-supervised by Professor Sébastien Canard, Professor Duong Hieu Phan or Assistant Professor Weiqiang Wen. Applicants for PhD are expected to hold a MSc degree in Mathematics or Computer Science. Knowledge on cryptographic primitives is desirable.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: If you want to apply or have more information, please contact Sébastien Canard (sebastien.canard@telecom-paris.fr) or Duong Hieu Phan (hieu.phan@telecom-paris.fr).

Project/Job description: The Ph.D. candidate will be supervised by Helger Lipmaa (https://sites.google.com/view/helgerlipmaa) on topics related to zk-SNARKs and zero-knowledge and their various applications (cryptocurrencies, verifiable computation, e-voting, to name a few). Zk-SNARKs have become excessively popular during the last few years due to their application in privacy-preserving cryptocurrencies. We expect the focus to be at least partially on post-quantum secure zk-SNARKs.

Candidate Profile: a completed MSc degree in cryptography or related areas (in particular, theoretical computer science, including algorithms and/or complexity theory, and mathematics). We will also consider applicants who are in the final phase of their MSc studies. We expect an excellent academic track record, including top grades. The student should be at home both in theory and practice: a good background in mathematics and TCS is particularly expected but having both this and an ability to read and write code is also useful. We value strong motivation with a combination of teamwork and the ability to work alone.

About Simula UiB (http://simula-uib.com): Simula UiB is a research center owned by the Simula Research Laboratory AS and the University of Bergen (UiB). Simula UiB has a large research group in cryptography and information theory, with eight faculty members who regularly publish at IACR conferences. The student will officially defend at UiB.

Simula UiB offers: modern office facilities located in downtown Bergen (“the gateway to the fjords”). A competitive salary starting from 501200 NOK (approx 45000-50000 euros, depending on the exchange rate). Emphasis on work-life balance. Numerous additional benefits.

Closing date for applications: 31.03.2023 but earlier application is encouraged

Research group homepage: https://sites.google.com/view/helgerlipmaa/research-group

Apply at: https://www.simula.no/about/job/phd-student-zero-knowledge-proofs (early application Is encouraged)

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Helger Lipmaa

More information: https://www.simula.no/about/job/phd-student-zero-knowledge-proofs

Descryption. The CWI Cryptology group in Amsterdam and the Mathematical Institute of Leiden University offer a joint PhD position on the topic of Post-Quantum Cryptanalysis. The goal is to advance the state of the art in post-quantum cryptanalysis for the schemes that are currently being standardized. This ranges from improving our understanding in the fundamental computational problems underlying these important quantum-safe schemes, to improving the state of the art in cryptanalytic attacks, e.g., in more refined memory models.

Requirements. Candidates are required to have a master’s degree in mathematics or in computer science. Experience in one or more of these relevant background areas is an advantage: cryptography, algorithms, number theory, coding theory, and quantum algorithms. Some programming skills are expected. Candidates are expected to have an excellent command of English.

Information and application. All applications should include a detailed resume and motivation letter. The application deadline is 31 March 2023. Please visit the vacancy page (click the title) for more information about our terms of employment.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Marc Stevens (stevens@cwi.nl), Peter Bruin (p.j.bruin@math.leidenuniv.nl)

More information: https://www.cwi.nl/en/jobs/vacancies/983536/

We are seeking highly motivated PhDs and post-docs to join the team.

Post-doc positions:
Responsibilities:

Conduct implementation on cutting-edge blockchain technologies and applications.

Develop innovative solutions and proof-of-concepts.

Design blockchain systems.

Collaborate with other team members to ensure successful delivery.
Requirements:

PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.

Sufficient knowledge of cryptography and blockchain technology.

Experience with programming languages such as Python, Rust, C++, and Solidity.

Knowledge of distributed systems and peer-to-peer networks.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

PhD positions:
Responsibilities:

Conduct research on cutting-edge cryptography, or AI technologies.

Develop innovative solutions for real-world applications.

Collaborate with national and international academic partners.

Deliver research works to top-tier conferences and journals.
Requirements:

MSc in Computer Science, Math, or related field.

Strong knowledge of AI, or cryptography.

Some experience with programming languages.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Great communication and teamwork.

Please send your CV, PhD/MSc transcripts, PhD/MSc certificate, English test certificate and a publication list to kaitai.liang@tudelft.nl.
We provide our PhDs and Post-Docs: (1) International academic and industrial collaborations, e.g., working with other top ranking universities, renown companies. (2) Opportunities of participating into various domestic and international cybersecurity projects. (3) Being trained to deliver world-leading research works and publish them to top-tier venues. (4) Flexible and supportive working surroundings. (5) Competitive salary and benefits package, relocation supports, summer and end-year bonus, free academic trainings.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: K. Liang (kaitai.liang@tudelft.nl)

As part of an experienced team in security and software, you will contribute to the development of security features for future generation of sustainable IoT applications leveraging distributed architectures, edge AI capabilities and advanced cryptography (e.g. post quantum, threshold cryptography). You will be working closely with a diverse team of engineers and researchers, and you will take a leading role in transforming a vision into tangible IPs.

Your responsibilities

• Implement cryptography and security primitives for embedded devices.
• Develop Proof of concepts based on advanced cryptography topics.
• Harden the security modules against side channel attacks, software attacks and other relevant threats.
• Adopt a holistic approach to design robust (end to end) security features.
• Propose innovative security IPs and challenge them against state of the art and review them with peers.
• Build demonstrators and share results/knowledge with your colleagues.
• Continuously keep aware of the state of the art.
• Contribute to the supervision of interns.

Your profile
You are a PhD graduate or an MSc graduate with >=2 years experience. You have background in applied cryptography or embedded security and experience in embedded development. You are motivated to progress within applied cryptography and embedded security. Programming languages: C, Python. ML frameworks, VHDL would be an advantage.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: To apply, please follow the link to the job description by clicking on the job title above. (If not working, paste https://www.csem.ch/en/jobs/cryptography-engineer to your browser.)

More information: https://www.csem.ch/en/jobs/cryptography-engineer

Cryptography is everywhere in our daily life to ensure the confidentiality and authentication of our communications and the integrity of our records. Although there are strong expectations regarding the security of cryptographic schemes against black-box attackers whose knowledge is restricted to a few inputs or outputs, the security of their implementations is less challenged. However, once implemented on embedded devices, cryptographic schemes become vulnerable to powerful side-channel attacks. The latter additionally exploit the physical leakage (e.g., power consumption) released by the device to recover the manipulated secrets. With cheap equipment, side-channel attacks may yield tremendous damage (e.g., full key recovery) within seconds. Nevertheless, the current security level of countermeasures is not yet close to that achieved in the black-box model.

The community is divided on how to assess the security of cryptographic implementations. From practitioners’ perspective, they need to be confronted with concrete side-channel attacks directly on embedded devices. Conversely, theorists consider that such an empirical approach is not portable and does not yield concrete security levels (e.g., not all attacks can be tested). Therefore, they instead investigate security proofs based on abstract leakage models, although the latter are often too far removed from reality to yield practical security.

The combination of both worlds with a toolbox to generate and verify cryptographic implementations with practical security is the topic of an ERC starting project that is hosted by CryptoExperts. As a member of this project, the candidate will work on the design of new compilers to turn any high-level algorithm into an efficient implementation proven secure for identified concrete devices.

Starting date: around September 2023 (flexible)
Duration: 3 years

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Sonia Belaïd

More information: https://www.cryptoexperts.com/sbelaid/2023_offre-these-erc.pdf

We are seeking an outstanding, highly motivated and enthusiastic PhD student to conduct research related to quantum cyber security. Rapid development of quantum computers poses serious risks to data and communication security. Quantum and post-quantum cryptography technologies provide means to tackle these challenges. In this adventurous experimental PhD project, we will be working on a hybrid solution combining the two technologies.

The successful applicant will be experimentally developing quantum light sources in atomically thin graphene-like materials (Nobel Prize 2010) suitable for quantum communication applications. The PhD student will also be developing hybrid post-quantum secure cryptography protocols based on the experimental outcomes.

The project will involve nanofabrication, optical and electron transport measurements, scanning probe microscopy, instrumentation development and collaborations with academia and industry.

The student will be part of the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics with its world-class measurement facilities and cleanrooms, and the Secure and Resilient Systems Research Group part of the accredited centre of excellence in cyber security research, one of only 19 accredited centres of excellence in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria: You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in Physics or Materials Science. Solid knowledge of quantum physics and familiarity with Cryptography and Cyber Security are required.

Closing date for applications:

Contact:

Dr Aleksey Kozikov (aleksey.kozikov@newcastle.ac.uk)

Dr Essam Ghadafi (Essam.Ghadafi@newcastle.ac.uk)

More information: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/phd-studentship-in-cyber-security-and-resilience-hybrid-quantum-and-post-quantum-technologies-for-security-by-design-solutions/?p155499

Interested in cryptographically assuring the security of computer systems in a post-quantum age?

Confidentiality-preserving security assurance establishes the capacity to certify and prove in security properties of complex system, while keeping details of the system confidential. While the field has advanced in recent years with new digital signature schemes and solution proposals that bind security assurance to underlying hardware attestation, all existing solutions have in common that they can be broken by adversaries with access to a scalable quantum computer. Experts, however, predict that such computing capacity will become available within the next decade. Hence, it will be crucial to establish post-quantum secure confidentiality preserving security assurance.

How can we establish new digital signature schemes that are post-quantum secure and that can realize confidentiality preserving security assurance? What zero-knowledge proof of knowledge techniques will serve us in this environment? How can we prove the security of these schemes with respect to hard mathematical problems secure in face of quantum adversaries?

Applicants should have a strong background in computer science and experience with cryptography. High motivation for independent theoretical/computational work is essential.

Newcastle University Centre of Research Excellence in Cyber Security and Resilience is a cross-faculty environment with 135 members, recognized as a national Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research (ACE-CSR). The topic Post-Quantum Secure Confidentiality-Preserving Security Assurance is hosted in the Secure and Resilient Systems Group.

Eligibility Criteria You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (cyber security & resilience, advanced computer science, cryptography). A strong mathematical background is desirable.

Closing date for applications:

Contact:

Prof Thomas Gross (Thomas.gross@newcastle.ac.uk)

Dr Essam Ghadafi (Essam.Ghadafi@newcastle.ac.uk)

More information: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/phd-studentship-in-applied-cryptography-post-quantum-secure-confidentiality-preserving-security-assurance/?p155500

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to conduct research related to the design of novel provably secure lightweight (hardware-based) cryptographic solutions for authentication and authorization to secure zero-trust networks. The aim is to strengthen security in zero-trust networks by giving devices and users fine-grained control over their resources via designing efficient modular solutions.

You will be part of the Secure and Resilient Systems Research Group part of the accredited centre of excellence in cyber security research, one of only 19 accredited centres of excellence in the UK. You will be working with researchers from both the School of Computing and the School of Engineering.

The supervisory team has strong track records and expertise in cryptography, hardware security, cyber security, and electronic systems design.

You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in Computer Science or related subject. Familiarity with and interest in cryptography and cyber security is required.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Dr Essam Ghadafi (Essam.Ghadafi@newcastle.ac.uk)

More information: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/phd-studentship-in-cyber-security-and-resilience-fine-grained-provably-secure-authentication-and-authorization-for-zero-trust-networks/?p155495

We’re looking for a Senior / Cryptographic Engineer to develop and deliver cryptographic engineering solutions for communications protocols of quantum secured communication products. Reporting to the Chief Applications Officer, the Senior / Cryptographic Engineer’s main responsibilities will be: Work with the applications team to design and evaluate modification of existing communications protocols to provide robust security against the threat of quantum computers. Support the team to develop proof of concept implementations that can be evaluated with KETS’ trusted client base. Contribute to the wider cyber security culture within KETS. Design and evaluate modifications to common layer 2/3 communication protocols (e.g. MACsec, MPLS) to incorporate quantum-safe cryptographic primitives. Collaborating with your team to develop prototype implementations of quantum-safe communications protocols. Produce technical design specifications and documentation. Deliver research papers & patents where appropriate. Engage with the wider community (conferences, industry seminars, standards bodies) where appropriate. Supporting the wider team in implementing best practice for secure software development.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: careers@kets-quantum.com

More information: https://ketsquantum.livevacancies.co.uk/#/job/details/29?target=frame

The security infrastructure we rely on today is considered broken when a scalable quantum computer is successfully realized. Consequently, the NIST in USA initiated a call develop and standardize of new post-quantum cryptography (or PQC also called quantum-resistant cryptography) schemes replacing established public-key mechanisms (NIST PQC). As PQC is supposed to replace modern public-key schemes in the near future, it will only be considered as a feasible alternative if its constructions can be similarly efficiently implemented on many of the embedded processors existing in today’s digital and pervasive environment. These embedded processors make the backbone of computing and communication, actuating the revolution of the IoT today, with a sky-rocketing demand of more ubiquitous intelligence in future. This project will investigate efficient and lightweight implementations of PQC algorithms on an open-source RISC-V processor as would be used for IoT and edge applications. This project will test, evaluate, and scrutinize the practicability of lattice-based quantum resistant cryptographic schemes (from the NIST PQC) for an IoT end-node device by aggressively exploring several optimizations techniques. RISC-V’s instruction set is designed for modularity and extensibility, based on which domain-specific architecture aimed at a particular application like PQC can be developed. The project will analyse the performance bottlenecks in these implementations to determine how best to improve the efficiency of the algorithms while running on RISC-V using existing and/or custom ISE. This will be followed by an investigation of the performance trade-offs of any proposed approaches. Due to the physical vulnerability of such devices, Side Channel Analysis (SCA) is a significant concern, hence physical security of these devices will be taken up.

Applicants must have at least a 2:1 Honours Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics or closely related discipline.

International studentships are also available.

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Dr. Ayesha Khalid

More information: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-research/phd-opportunities/lightweight-post-quantum-cryptography-on-modern-opensource-riscv-processors.html