PhD on Post-Quantum Cryptography

Join us to design advanced cryptographic building blocks that resist attacks with quantum computers.

Position PhD-student

Irène Curie Fellowship No

Department(s) Mathematics and Computer Science

FTE 1,0

Date off 20/09/2024

Reference number V32.7658

Job description

We’re looking for a PhD student to work with us on the NWO project EPOCHAL (Extensions of POst-quantum CryptograpHy and Algorithms). The last years have seen a lot of focus on building  encryption systems and signature schemes that are secure against quantum attacks. This involves analyzing them in a security model where the attacker has a quantum computer. While the replacement schemes are not perfect fits in terms of speed or size, the community has reached some workable solutions. However, there is a lot of usage of  public-key cryptography that  goes beyond these core building blocks – many real-world solutions need to establish related public keys, which involves using the structure of elliptic curves, or to verify the validity of public keys. Currently deployed protocols often inherently use properties of the pre-quantum building blocks. For those, we do not (yet) have matching or sufficiently efficient replacements among systems that can resist attacks with quantum computers. The goal of this project is to develop exactly such solutions and to analyze their security.

The PhD position is embedded in the Coding Theory and Cryptology group in the Discrete Mathematics (DM) cluster with Tanja Lange as main supervisor. We work closely with the Applied and Provable Security group  (also part of DM) and Kathrin Hövelmanns is part of the project team.

Job requirements

• A master’s degree (or an equivalent university degree) in mathematics or computer science.
• A research-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and interested in collaborating with industrial partners.
• Motivated to develop your teaching skills and coach students.
• Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).

Conditions of employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,770 max. €3,539).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information and application

About us

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more?
Please contact the hiring manager Tanja Lange at tanja@hyperelliptic.org.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services at HRServices.MCS@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button.
The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae and the contact information of two people whom we may contact to hear more about your, typically professors you worked with during your studies or an internship supervisor. For any of your publications (bachelor and master theses and, if you have, publications resulting from them) please include a short summary of about 5 lines.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.