About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD Candidate at NTNU, in the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology (IIK), in the area of cryptography.

You will report to Head of Department

Duties of the position

The candidate will work in the general areas of privacy-preserving computation, lattice-based cryptography and post-quantum cryptography. This will be under the supervision of Dr. Anamaria Costache, in the cryptography team at NTNU.

The cryptography team at NTNU is heavily involved in research in these areas, and so the successful candidate will benefit from a good research support system.

Required selection criteria

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in theoretical computer science, mathematics or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. Preference will be given to candidates holding degrees in the areas mentioned, and/ or to candidates that already have a background in cryptography. The ideal candidate will have some research experience already, in the form of a research masters thesis, or research essay. 

If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree. 

You must have good written and oral English skills. 

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, post doctor and research assistant. 

Personal characteristics

You should enjoy research projects, and be curious to investigate new problems. Not having all of the listed prior knowledge is perfectly okay. Scientific curiosity is more important than prior knowledge; the research proposal is a great place to showcase this. 

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 normally remunerated at gross from NOK 482 200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is of 3 years, or 4 years with 25% teaching duties

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in cryptography within three months of employment, and that you participate in an organized PhD programme during the employment period. 

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 criteria 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.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

The application must include:

• CV, certificates and diplomas.
• Research plan or project proposal (around one page); this does not to determine what you will work on during your PhD program. Rather, I am looking to see how much cryptography you know in the areas that you will work on, how you can identify a topic of interest, and how you talk about this.  
• Academic works that you would like to be considered in the assessment. Here you can attach documents such as research works or essays written during your degree(s), or any peer-reviewed paper published or in submission. Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.
•  Name and e-mail addresses of at least two referees.
• Anything else that you think will benefit your application. I would be particularly interested to see what optional research projects you have taken on. This could also be a talk you have given in a seminar, a poster, additional reading etc.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

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

General information

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Dr. Anamaria Costache, email; Anamaria.costache@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR officer Stine Terese Ruen Nymoen, e-mail:stine.t.r.nymoen@ntnu.no. 

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. Please refer to the application number 2020/43735 when applying.

Application deadline: 25.01.2021

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 .

Deadline 25th January 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Campus Gløshaugen