Research Associate (Postdoc) in symmetric cryptography

SnT is a leading international research and innovation centre in secure, reliable and trustworthy ICT systems and services. We play an instrumental role in Luxembourg by fueling innovation through research partnerships with industry, boosting R&D investments leading to economic growth, and attracting highly qualified talent.

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) at the University of Luxembourg and more specifically the CryptoLux research group invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher in the area of symmetric cryptography. The successful candidate will contribute to a research project entitled "Analysis and Protection of Lightweight Cryptographic Algorithms (APLICA)", which is funded by the Luxembourgish Fonds National de la Recherche (FNR) and the German Research Foundation (DFG). APLICA is a joint research project between the CryptoLux group and the Workgroup for Symmetric Cryptography (Prof. Gregor Leander) of Ruhr-University Bochum.

We’re looking for people driven by excellence, excited about innovation, and looking to make a difference. If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place!

In 2018, the NIST announced an initiative to standardize lightweight authenticated encryption schemes and hash functions in an open process with public evaluation. The mission of the APLICA project is to contribute to the evaluation of the third-round candidates and the eventually standardized algorithms by analyzing their theoretical and practical security properties. More concretely, APLICA will contribute to the development of new cryptanalytic techniques that can be applied to lightweight authenticated encryption algorithms and hash functions, and to the design and implementation of new countermeasures against side-channel attacks, in particular differential power analysis, that are suitable for resource-constrained IoT devices.

Candidates must hold a Ph.D. degree (or obtain a Ph.D. degree before September 2020) in symmetric cryptography or a closely related field. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong publication record that includes at least one paper at an IACR-sponsored conference/workshop or one of the top-4 security conferences. Experience in software development for embedded systems and/or side-channel attacks is a plus. Candidates with an interest to conduct research in one of the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply:

• Cryptanalysis of authenticated encryption algorithms or hash functions

• Leakage resilience or leakage reduction by design (e.g. modes of operation)

• Side-channel analysis and countermeasures

• Exciting infrastructures and unique labs. At SnT’s two campuses, our researchers can take a walk on the moon at the LunaLab, build a nanosatellite, or help make autonomous vehicles even better

• The right place for IMPACT. SnT researchers engage in demand-driven projects. Through our Partnership Programme, we work on projects with more than 45 industry partners

• Bepart of a multicultural family. At SnT we have more than 60 nationalities. Throughout the year, we organise team-building events, networking activities and more

Find out more about us!

The position is available from March 2022 on basis of a fixed-term contract for 18 months with extension possible for excellent candidates. The University of Luxembourg offers excellent working conditions in an attractive research environment and a highly competitive salary.

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 18 Month

• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week

• Location: Belval

• Job Reference: UOL04555

Applications, written in English should be submitted online or directly to Prof. Alex Biryukov and should include a detailed CV (including photo), a list of publications and the names and contact details of two references.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system.

Applications by Email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University’s faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.