Information Security Group

Location:  Egham
Salary:  £35,333 per annum - including London Allowance
Closing Date:  Friday 31 May 2019
Interview Date:  To be confirmed    

Full Time, Fixed Term Contract for 20 Months

Applications are invited for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Associate in the EU Horizon 2020 Project FutureTPM in the Information Security Group

The Information Security Group at Royal Holloway, University of London, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher for the EU Horizon2020-funded FutureTPM project. The successful candidate will join the Systems and Software Security Lab (S3Lab), working on the development and integration of quantum-resistant cryptography into the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), on the development of a virtual quantum-resistant TPM, and on dissemination and standardization activities of the project.

Project description. The goal of FutureTPM is to create a Quantum-Resistant (QR) Trusted Platform Module (TPM) by designing and developing QR algorithms suitable for inclusion in a TPM. The algorithm design will be accompanied by implementation and performance evaluation, as well as formal security analyses in the full range of TPM environments: i.e. hardware, software and virtualization environments. Use cases in online banking, activity tracking and device management will provide environments and applications to validate the FutureTPM framework. FutureTPM will provide robust and provably-secure QR algorithms for a new generation of TPMs. A key strategic objective of FutureTPM is to contribute to standardization efforts at EU level within TCG, ISO/IEC and ETSI. Because the TPM shares many functions in common with other widely-used devices, such as HSMs and TEEs, the FutureTPM solution is expected to benefit them as well. The consortium consists of high calibre industrial and academic partners from across Europe, combining QR crypto researchers with TPM developers.

Requirements. Applicants should possess (or close to obtaining) a PhD degree relevant to the project’s research areas (e.g., Computer Science, Math), and be fluent in English. The ideal candidate should have a strong research track record in an area relevant to trusted systems and trustworthy computing, and a proven ability to find innovative solutions. Furthermore, the ideal candidate should be self-motivated, possess software development skills, and should have prior experience with TPMs. In addition to supporting the research project, the position duties will also involve developing novel research ideas for personal or joint research, and contributing to writing bids for research funding.

When/Where. This is a full-time post, available from May 1st, 2019, for a fixed term period of 20 months (until December 31^st, 2020). This post is based in Egham, Surrey, where Royal Holloway, University of London is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London. Royal Holloway, University of London is one of the fourteen Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the UK recognised by the UK National Security Centre (NCSC) as a Centre of Academic Excellence in Cyber Security Research, and only one of the two HEIs awarded with a Centre for Doctoral Training in Cyber Security. 

The successful candidate will work under the direction of Dr Daniele Sgandurra together with Prof. Konstantinos Markantonakis, Prof. Chris Mitchell, and Dr Elizabeth Quaglia from the Information Security Group. For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Dr Daniele Sgandurra, at daniele.sgandurra@rhul.ac.uk.

Application. To view further details of this post and to apply please visit https://rhul.engageats.co.uk. The RHUL Recruitment Team can be contacted with queries by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk

Closing Date: Midnight, 31 May 2019

Interview Date: TBC

Please note that it will not be possible for the College to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for successful candidates as this role does not fall into one of the standard occupational codes deemed eligible for sponsorship by UK Visas and Immigration. Successful candidates will therefore need to be eligible to work in the UK or have limited leave to remain in the UK and associated right to work for the duration of their employment with the College, in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.