Postdoctoral position in Security and Cryptography - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
Digital technologies have gained a fundamental role in our society. The progressive digitalisation of services has both enabled and required novel applications based on advanced cryptographic techniques with strong security guarantees and efficient implementations. Filling the gap between demands from modern IT systems and features offered by existing cryptographic solutions involves the design and development of new post-quantum solutions that meet the needs of real-world application scenarios in modern IT systems, IoT networks and smart settings (e.g., smart homes, smart offices, and smart cities).

This position targets researchers with a strong background in post-quantum cryptosystems, or secure multi party computation. In more detail, the successful candidate is expected to work in the intersection between mathematical hard problems that are plausibly post-quantum secure, and realisations of cryptographic primitives built on such problems for constrained devices. Extensions are possible towards novel provable-secure designs and primitives motivated by concrete application scenarios useful in smart city environments. Within these bounds, the specific focus can be balanced based on the applicant’s background and interests.

We offer
Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University.

Work duties
You will be part of the research ecosystems around the SSF project SMARTY: Secure Software Update Deployment for the Smart City (RIT17-0035). This will give you access to an exciting workplace where you can foster research in collaboration with your new colleagues and also network outside the University. 

This environment will support you in producing outstanding research that will appear at top-tier peer-reviewed venues in the relevant field. In particular, you will be working towards one or more of the following goals:

• improving the efficiency of post-quantum cryptographic primitives to better suit modern resourceful IoT devices.
• investigating the potential of lightweight secure multi party computation protocols for networks of IoT devices.
• advancing the research frontiers in privacy-enhancing technologies, verifiable outsourcing of computation, and cryptographic schemes suitable for real-time settings.

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• research within the subject area
• teaching in the first, second and third cycles of studies
• supervision of degree projects and doctoral students
• collaboration with industry and wider society
• administration related to the work duties listed above

Qualification requirements
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Documented background related to topics in post-quantum cryptography, and/or multiparty computation, and/or provable security.
• Ability to collaborate in research teams (e.g., via peer-review publications with varying sets of co-authors).

Assessment criteria
This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Other qualifications:

• Collaboration skills.
• High motivation to carry out research in an independent way.
• Experience in post-quantum related topics, such as lattices, multi-variate polynomials, or isogeny-based cryptography.
• Experience in the design or implementation of multi-party computation protocols, privacy-enhancing technologies, or verifiable computation.
• Peer-reviewed publications at top-tier conferences.
• Experience in implementation of cryptographic primitives.

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Further information
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”).

How to apply
Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more: To apply for academic positions at LTH

Welcome with your application!