International Association for Cryptologic Research

International Association
for Cryptologic Research

IACR News item: 06 October 2025

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Job Posting Job Posting
The cryptocurrency Bitcoin operates without a central authority. This is made possible by (digital) proof of work, which, however, comes with enormous energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. Our project transfers this principle into the physical world: we are conducting research on physical one-way functions, reproducible physical processes that generate measurable outputs from input parameters, but for which solving the inverse problem is difficult. Based on this, we are developing a proof of physical work protocol that has the potential to significantly reduce global CO₂ emissions. As an interdisciplinary junior research group, we are opening up a new field of research at the interface of cryptography, engineering, and natural sciences. The project runs for five years and is funded by the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung. Further information can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202409386

Closing date for applications:

Contact: Frank Rhein

More information: https://www.pse.kit.edu/english/karriere/joboffer.php?id=165449

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