About the position

At the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology, we have a vacancy for a Ph.D. candidate in Information Security and Communication Technology.

The biggest obstacle for the big visions and promises by 5G (and beyond) networks, about telepresence, holographic transmissions, telemedicine, and remote operations, are the network latencies in the control layer, that so far cannot go below 1ms even within the most controlled experimental environments. The 5G network's control layer uses short Polar codes with codewords from 40 up to 128 bits. Their encoding and decoding times need to be short in order to reduce the network response latency. While 4G has latency in the range of 50ms, 5G is expected to have a latency of around 10ms (up to 5 times faster than 4G). The newest efforts push the latency further down to 1ms – 2ms. But 6G networks will require 100-times the data throughput of 5G and will need to expand to cover from hundreds of thousands up to millions of access points. To achieve that, codes that enable sub-millisecond latency have to be designed.

This scenario for the future 6G wireless networks includes two research areas: 1. Coding theory, with short codes that can offer better (shorter) latencies than the current standard used in 5G – the Polar codes; 2. Coding theory that addresses the challenges of the edge computing, with the design of locally reparable codes.

Research objectives of the position:

1. Develop, fine-tune, implement, and test short error-correcting codes that have better performances than Polar codes, and reduce latency in sub-millisecond ranges. 
2. Develop, fine-tune, implement, and test locally reparable codes suitable for the edge-computing environments that will increase the data throughput and reduce the latency in sub-millisecond ranges. 

The position's working place is NTNU campus in Trondheim. You will report to the Head of the Department.

Duties of the position

• The PhD candidate will work on challenging research problems related to design of linear codes for achieving sub-millisecond latencies in latest wireless networks such as 5G and its successors.
•  The candidate will also have up to 25% of teaching duties in related areas.
•  The candidate will be encouraged to have a research stay with one of the collaborating universities outside Norway during the research period.

The position is part of SFI NORCICS, the new 8-year research-based innovation Norwegian Center for Cybersecurity in Critical Sectors. These sectors include electricity production and distribution, oil & gas production and distribution, manufacturing, healthcare, industrial production, financial services, transportation, smart districts. NORCICS follows a holistic, comprehensive and systemic approach addressing people, processes and technology to protect critical sectors throughout the cybersecurity core functions (identify, protect, detect, respond, recover). NORCICS has partners from academia, research, the public sector and the industry. For more information about NORCICS .

There are several PhD positions announced within the context of NORCICS. You are encouraged to apply for all positions that fit your background and interests. Integrated PhD study candidates are welcome to apply.

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 Mathematics, Computer Science, Communications technology or related areas with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. 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.

•  Academic background as listed above.
• Excellent English language skills (written and oral).
• Good organization and communication skills with interest in wider context of own research and ability to engage in cross-disciplinary teams.
•  Eager to disseminate research results through publications and presentations at international conferences.

Preferred selection criteria

• Knowledge of Coding theory is desirable.
• Knowledge of Algebra is desirable.
• Knowledge in Cryptography is desirable.
• Experience with some programming languages is desirable.

Personal characteristics

• Be scientifically curious and open to new research challenges.
• Demonstrate independence and persistence in addressing technical problems.
• High motivation for research work and ability to work independently.
• Be flexible and reliable, with ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team.

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 507 400 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 3 years.

Appointment to a PhD position requires that you are admitted to the PhD programme in Information Security and Communication Technology, 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.

The position is subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

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:

• A short and directed cover letter (in English or Norwegian) identifying:
  •  Your motivation for a PhD study.
  •  Your understanding and thoughts of topics of the position.
  • Why you are suited for the position.
• CV, certificates and diplomas.
• Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 works).
• Name and address of three referees.

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.

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. 

NTNU is a university with an international focus, with headquarters in Trondheim and campuses in Ålesund and Gjøvik. NTNU has a main profile in science and technology, a variety of programmes of professional study, and great academic breadth that also includes the humanities, social sciences, economics, medicine, health sciences, educational science, architecture, entrepreneurship, art disciplines and artistic activities.

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 Prof. Danilo Gligoroski, email danilog@ntnu.no. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact 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 2020/44801 when applying.

Application deadline: 31.01.2021

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 31st January 2021
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Campus Gløshaugen