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At NTNU, creating knowledge for a better world is the vision that unites our 7 000 employees and 40 000 students.

We are looking for dedicated employees to join us.

About the position

The Faculty of Information Technology, Mathematics and Electrical Engineering) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has a vacancy for a position as a PhD candidate, in the area of Crypto Currency Forensics, Analytics and Tracking.

The appointment is for a term of 4 years with 25 % teaching and support. This is a researcher training position aimed at providing promising researcher recruits the opportunity of academic development in the form of a doctoral degree.

The positions working place is at NTNUs campus in Gjøvik and reports to Head of Department.

The research will be carried under guidance of Associate Professor Mariusz Nowostawski, Phone: +47 48342678. Email: mariusz.nowostawski@ntnu.no

Main duties and responsibilities

In this project, we will look at the forensics of cryptocurrency transactions as well as the privacy implications of various privacy-preserving crypto currencies and related blockchain technologies. We will model and simulate interactions between various stakeholders in the systems using modern blockchain technologies and crypto assets, and investigate emerging behaviours and phenomena based on the underlying incentive models and technologies use. The insights and better understanding of inner-workings of those systems can be used to analyse the privacy, anonymity and security properties. Some of the research outcomes will be used for digital assets tracking and preventing scams and criminal activities.

The project will utilize analysis and digital forensics from the technology perspective, investigating the security and penetration aspects of the contemporary large socio-technical peer-to-peer systems. This will be done both, on the network layer and the connectivity topology, as well as on the actual transaction flow within the system. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with forensic experts in NTNU and cybercrime unit of law enforcement agencies. The project will look into the current and future crypto currency systems, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dash, Monero, Lightning network and others, currently in use for legitimate as well as illegal purposes. The project will investigate the future of forensic investigations in the world based on trusted, anonymous, and inherently tamper-proof electronic value transfer systems. The candidate will provide training materials and exercises for education and training in the field of crypto currency forensics.

The successful candidate will work on prototyping, deploying, and experimenting with existing and novel peer-to-peer blockchain-like systems. Strong programming skills, understanding of mobile and network programming, as well as interest and understanding of peer-to-peer systems will be required during the course of the study. The candidate will be expected to work towards development of training and educational coursework related to modern forensics in the area of crypto assets and crypto currencies.

Qualification requirements

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is completion of a master’s degree  in Computer Science with very good results is required - average grade B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale, or education at the equivalent level. Great importance will be attached to personal suitability. The candidate should have experience with existing blockchain technologies, should understand challenges and limitations of mobile application development, as well as security and crypto primitives. General understanding of contemporary peer-to-peer systems is also required.

Applicants with no letter grades from previous studies must have an equally good academic foundation. Applicants who are unable to meet these criteria may be considered only if they can document that they are particularly suitable candidates for education leading to a PhD degree.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, postdoctor and research assistant

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

Other qualifications:

Applicants who do not master a Scandinavian language must provide evidence of good English language skills, written and spoken. The following tests can be used as such documentation: TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE).

Minimum scores are:

• TOEFL: 600 (paper-based test), 92 (Internet-based test)
• IELTS: 6.5, with no section lower than 5.5 (only Academic IELTS test accepted)
• CAE/CPE: grade B or A.

Personal characteristics

We are searching applicants who are

• Highly motivated for fundamental scientific research of practical relevance is essential.
• Highly motivated for research work in a multidisciplinary way and ability to work independently.
• Well organized and with interest in wider context of own research and ability.
• Eager to disseminate research results through publications and presentations at international conferences.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability, as well as motivation, in terms of the qualification requirements specified in the advertisement

We offer

• exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• an open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
• favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• employee benefits

Salary and conditions

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are remunerated at gross NOK 479 600 per year. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The appointment is for a term of 4 years with 25 % teaching and support.

Appointment to a PhD position requires admission to the PhD programme in Information Security and Communication Technology.

As a PhD candidate, you undertake to participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period. A condition of appointment is that you are in fact qualified for admission to the PhD programme within three months.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criterias in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

The research of this project has civilian objectives. However, equipment restricted by export licenses and ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) is being used in this research area. Applicants that are citizens of Norway, NATO countries, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, or Sweden are eligible. Other applicants should provide evidence of eligibility to use such equipment for their application to be considered.

General information

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. Under the Freedom of Information Act (offentleglova), information about the applicant may be made public even if the applicant has requested not to have their name entered on the list of applicants.

Questions about the position can be directed to Associate Professor Mariusz Nowostawski, Phone: +47 48342678. Email: mariusz.nowostawski@ntnu.no

About the application:

Publications and other academic works that the applicant would like to be considered in the evaluation must accompany the application. Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify the individual applicant's contribution to joint works, the applicant must include a brief description of his or her contribution.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applicants invited for interview must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters.

The application must contain:

• A cover letter (1 page) explaining your motivation and how your skills and experience relate to the research focuses of the position
• A draft research proposal outlining a possible approach for the position (1 page).
• CV with list of publications and GRE scores or other supporting documents (as proof of the candidates’ study and language abilities)
• Relevant transcript of grades, diplomas, and certificates The documents have to be translated to English unless they are in Norwegian, Danish, Swedish, German or English.
• A copy of the master thesis (in PDF), or, for those who are near to completion of their MSc, an extended abstract combined with a statement of how and when the applicant plans to complete the thesis.
• Two letters of reference, preferably from academic supervisor(s).
• Applicants from universities outside Norway are kindly requested to send a diploma supplement (for European Master Diplomas outside Norway) or a similar document that describes in detail the study and grading system and the rights for further studies associated with the obtained degree.

Application deadline: 15.12.2019

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

Department of Information Security and Communication Technology

Research is vital to the security of our society. We teach and conduct research in cyber security, information security, communications networks and networked services. Our areas of expertise include biometrics, cyber defence, cryptography, digital forensics, security in e-health and welfare technology, intelligent transportation systems and malware. The Department of Information Security and Communication Technology is one of seven departments in the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering .

Employer: NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality: Gjøvik
Scope: Fulltime
Duration: Temporary
Place of service: NTNU Campus Gjøvik