The Semantics, Cybersecurity and Services (SCS) group at the University of Twente is looking for a full-time PhD to join the research team, working on Secure Cloud. The position is funded by the Dutch organisation for Applied Research TNO.
In this PhD project, we intend to research the use of fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) for building cloud functionality. In theory, FHE is the perfectly secure tool for storing and processing sensitive data in an untrusted cloud environment. However, this innovative encryption method introduces a significant overhead leading to a large computational and communication effort. Recent scientific results have shown progress to overcome this burden by e.g. software and hardware speed-ups.
The goal is to study the current state-of-the-art in FHE-based solutions for cloud functionality and develop ways to build cryptographic cloud components that could be used for e.g. Federated Mission Networking. You will be working part-time at TNO in The Hague and collaborate with an inspiring team of cryptographers. Therefore, a security screening will be part of the selection process.
As the prospective PhD candidate, you will be appointed for a period of four years, and you are expected to perform high-quality research that gets published at some of the top security or cryptography conferences. This position offers a mix of theoretical work - such as defining novel cryptographic protocols and proving their security - and more practical work in which you will implement prototypes of these protocols and potentially integrate them into existing cloud infrastructure.
The SCS group is internationally recognized in the broad areas of systems and data security and is unique for its collaborative and friendly atmosphere, in which researchers have considerable freedom in picking their projects and receive substantial support from supervisors and colleagues. We publish in top-tier conferences to maximize our visibility and impact, and we can guide you toward becoming a top researcher and boosting your CV. Besides, during the PhD, you will have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge and network by joining international exchange programs, participating in national and international conferences, and visiting other research institutes and universities worldwide.
Information and application
Are you interested in this position? Please submit your application before August 1st via the ‘Apply now’ button below and include:
- A motivation letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interest, qualifications, and motivation to apply for a research position in this area.
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae, including any publications if applicable, academic awards, and your working experience.
- An academic transcript of MSc education, including grades.
For more information, please contact prof.dr.ir. Thijs Veugen (p.j.m.veugen@utwente.nl).
About the department
Digitalization brings many new opportunities for businesses and governments by fostering the development of innovative online services. However, this development also brings new challenges, notably in terms of intelligence, interoperability, security, and privacy. The mission of the Semantics, Cybersecurity and Services (SCS) group is to advance the development of innovative online services with improved quality through context-alignment and with reduced security and privacy threats.
SCS is part of the Twente University Centre for Cybersecurity Research (TUCCR), a public-private partnership where experts, professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students from industry and knowledge partners collaborate to deliver talents, innovations, and know-how in the domain of cybersecurity. The mission of TUCCR is to strengthen the security and digital sovereignty of our society by performing top-level research on real-world data, systems, and network security challenges. To achieve significant societal impact, TUCCR combines technical, socio-economic, and ethical know-how and is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, ranging from security labs, testbeds, and data lakes.
About the organisation
The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) uses mathematics, electronics and computer technology to contribute to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ICT present in almost every device and product we use nowadays, we embrace our role as contributors to a broad range of societal activities and as pioneers of tomorrow's digital society. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
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