A new approach to engineering secure microservices-based applications with blockchain and distributed ledger technologies - Project ID SOC0005

Applications are invited for a self-funded PhD studentship within the School of Computing.

The studentship is expected to start in March 2020 but applications are considered year round.

The School of Computing undertakes research across a broad range of areas in computing and informatics including: bio-inspired computing; cyber-security; e-Government; e-Health; future interactions; make-believe; interactive graphics and simulation; information science; information society; information visualization; networks & distributed computing; social informatics; software engineering & systems and urban interaction design.

Details of the research areas and research centres can be found at https://www.napier.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/research-search/school-centre-area/school-of-computing

We have recently made significant investments in research facilities and recruited additional academics with strong research capabilities. Applications in the research areas in which these people have a specific interest would be particularly welcome. These areas include:

A new approach to engineering secure microservices-based applications with blockchain and distributed ledger technologies.

Blockchain and the distributed ledger technologies hold significantly more potential than just money payment systems. Potentially they could be used to create a decentralised record of almost anything (e.g. digital contracts, and ownership of assets such as cars, houses, bonds etc). On the other hand, IoT devices will become more pervasive in our lives than mobile phones and will have access to the most sensitive personal data. Although these IoT devices have made life easier, they have also created new attack vectors for malicious hackers. Developing secure applications in such environment is still a challenging task. The aim is to explore the potential for the blockchain and ledger technologies to be used to create a new approach/framework for developing microservices-based secure applications.

Candidate Profile
Interested applicants should:
• Have a first class or upper second class Honours degree, or a Masters degree, in a discipline relevant to the area of study.
• Have an IELTS score of at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted, full details of the University’s policy is available on the application page https://www.napier.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/research-degrees/application-process
• Prove highly motivated to tackle challenging research problems
• Possess good interpersonal skills and show willingness to work as part of a team
• Have the potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study

Applications from potential part-time students are also welcomed.

Edinburgh Napier University is committed to promoting equality and diversity in our staff and student community https://www.napier.ac.uk/about-us/university-governance/equality-and-diversity-information


Informal enquiries about the topic can be made to Dr Zakwan Jaroucheh: [Email Address Removed] .General enquiries about the studentship can be made to Professor Ahmed Al-Dubai [Email Address Removed], telephone: 0131 455 2796.