PhD studentship in Cryptanalysis of Lightweight Symmetric-key Algorithms

Lightweight cryptography (LC) studies the analysis and design of cryptographic algorithms for systems with constrained resources. Such systems find applications in sensor networks, the automotive industry, healthcare and in the exploding area of the Internet of Things (IoT) in general.

The limited computational resources of lightweight devices, coupled with the abundance of device architectures and usage scenarios, raises unique challenges that can not always be solved with existing cryptographic algorithms. An evidence of the latter is the international competition for new LC standards recently announced by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

In this project the student will analyse the security of lightweight symmetric-key algorithms such as block ciphers, stream ciphers and hash functions. The targets for analysis will be selected from the following groups: candidates submitted to the NIST competition, LC algorithms used in existing IoT applications, algorithms based on modular addition.

Application Information

Applicants should apply via the University’s admissions portal (EUCLID) and apply for the following programme: LFCS Security and Privacy Group with a start date in 2019/20. Applicants should state “Cryptanalysis of Lightweight Symmetric-key Algorithms” in their Research Proposal document and note the research supervisor (Dr. Vesselin Velichkov) in their application.

The application deadline is Friday 20th December 2019.

Applicants must submit:

• All degree transcripts and certificates (and certified translations if applicable)
• Evidence of English Language capability (where applicable).
• A short research proposal (max 2 pages)
• A full CV and cover letter describing your background, suitability for the PhD, and research interests (max 2 pages).
• Two references (note that it the applicant’s responsibility to ensure reference letters are received before the deadline).

Only complete applications will progress forward to the academic selection stage.

For informal enquiries contact Dr. Vesselin Velichkov: [Email Address Removed]

The algorithms targeted for analysis will be selected from one or more of the following groups:

- Candidates for standardization submitted to the NIST competition
- LC algorithms used in existing IoT applications
- Algorithms based on modular addition (e.g. ARX)

Environment
The School of Informatics is one of the largest in Europe and currently the top Informatics institute in the UK for research power, with 40% of its research outputs considered world-leading (top grade), and almost 50% considered top grade for societal impact. The University of Edinburgh is constantly ranked among the world’s top universities and is a highly international environment with several centres of excellence.