Doctoral student in Fault Attacks on Post-Quantum Cryptographic Algorithms Full-time

Doctoral Student In Fault Attacks On Post-Quantum Cryptographic Algorithms

KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

We are looking for a doctoral student to work on the project Fault-Attacks on Post-Quantum Cryptographic Algorithms, funded by the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet).

At present, there are no effective methods for protecting cryptographic algorithms' implementations from fault attacks, in which an adversary deliberately injects faults into cryptographic computations to extract sensitive information. This project aims to address this important open problem, with a particular focus on post-quantum cryptography (PQC). We intend to take into account the impact of fault attacks on PQC implementation security both destructively (by devising new types of attacks) and constructively (by designing countermeasures).

The selected candidates are expected to investigate the use of advanced machine learning technologies to enhance both the analysis and mitigation of fault attacks. The acquired knowledge will be used to develop new vulnerability assessment methods and design countermeasures against fault attacks, along with supporting tools.

The work will be carried out in the Hardware Security group at KTH which currently includes five PhD students.

Supervision: Elena Dubrova and Carl-Mikael Zetterling are proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

The special eligibility requirements include knowledge of post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, expertise fault and side-channel attacks, experience in embedded systems, as well as practical skills in machine learning including knowledge of essentials tools and platforms such as TensorFlow, etc. Applicants who have completed a course in hardware security as part of their academic curriculum will be given a priority. Applicants whose bachelor/master thesis work was performed in the area of hardware security will be given a priority. Applicants with published papers in high-ranked hardware security journals, conferences, or workshops will be given a priority.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach,
• analyze and work with complex issues and
• communicate research results effectively in writing and through presentations.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal skills.

Target Degree: Doctoral Degree

Information Regarding Admission And Employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

As a doctoral student, you are entitled to a workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH's Doctoral student salary agreement. Read more about Doctoral studies (PhD) | KTH | Sweden.