PhD scholarship in Post-Quantum Cryptography - DTU Compute

We are looking for a bright and motivated PhD student for 3-year PhD position starting 1 September (negotiable). The position is part of the project “Post-Quantum Key exchange”, which is jointly run by DTU and the company Dencrypt and funded by the co-financing fund of the Danish Ministry of Defence’s Acquisition and Logistics organisation. The goal of the project is to explore different routes towards providing a fully quantum-secure replacement for X3DH, the key exchange protocol used by Signal, WhatsApp and the likes. It is an excellent opportunity to be involved in advanced research on cryptographic systems secure against quantum computing. The PhD position is offered at DTU, and the project plan includes meetings with Dencrypt to coordinate with activities there.

Responsibilities and qualifications
Your main task is to explore different approaches for obtaining a key exchange protocol that achieves the same security as X3DH, but against quantum computing adversaries. To succeed in this research effort, you will gain familiarity with:

• Provable security for post-quantum cryptography
• The quantum random oracle model
• Various post-quantum key exchange protocols.

To ensure a smooth start into the project, you should ideally have good familiarity with the two main fields this project straddles, quantum computing/information and cryptography. You should have a strong curiosity about post-quantum cryptography.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

Starting date is 1 September 2024. The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Christian Majenz (email: chmaj@dtu.dk, website: www.christianmajenz.info). 

You can read more about DTU Compute at www.compute.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 25 June 2024 (23:59 Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Compute
DTU Compute is a unique and internationally recognized academic department with 385 employees and 11 research sections spanning the science disciplines mathematics, statistics, computer science, and engineering. We conduct research, teaching and innovation of high international standard – producing new knowledge and technology-based solutions to societal challenges. We have a long-term involvement in applied and interdisciplinary research, big data and data science, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT), smart and secure societies, smart manufacturing, and life science. At DTU Compute we believe in a diverse workplace with a flexible work-life balance.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.