Doctoral students in Electrical Engineering with research in cryptology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Work duties

The PhD research project is in the area of cryptology and includes an investigation into one of the following research topics:

1. Security and design of primitives in cryptology adapted for use in 5G/6G mobile communication systems with special focus on low latency and high reliability algorithms and protocols.
2. Analysis of cryptographic primitives through side-channel attacks that exploit measurement of power consumption and/or time delays to determine protected information. The work includes both developing attacks and various protection methods, such as guaranteeing a time-constant implementation.
3. Study of digital signatures in the field of post-quantum encryption. The work aims to investigate the security of proposed digital signatures, based on the hard problem "Learning-With-Errors" (LWE) or related problems, which will eventually be standardized. The work also includes trying to find new more efficient designs. 

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements 

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant: 

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Electrical Engineering if the applicant has: 

• at least 60 second-cycle credits in subjects of relevance to electrical engineering, or
• a MSc in Engineering in biomedical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, engineering mathematics, Page 6 of 14 nanoengineering, engineering physics or information and communication engineering

Additional requirements

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Strong knowledge and skills in one or several areas such as or similar to: cryptology, data security, coding theory, abstract algebra, number theory, discrete mathematics, programming in C, Java, Python, or other languages.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following: 

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.

Other assessment criteria

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment 

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. 
A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).