ERC Consolidator Grant: Advanced Practical Post-Quantum Cryptography from Lattices

My ERC Consolidator Grant application titled “Advanced Practical Post-Quantum Cryptography from Lattices” has been selected(*) for funding by the European Research Council. Here’s my blurb:

Standardisation efforts for post-quantum public-key encryption and signatures are close to completion. At the same time the most recent decade has seen the deployment, at scale, of more advanced cryptographic algorithms where no efficient post-quantum candidates exist. These algorithms e.g. permit to give strong guarantees even after some parties were compromised, privacy-preserving contact lookups, credentials and e-cash. This project will tackle the challenge of “lifting” such constructions to the post-quantum era by pursuing three guiding questions:

• What is the cost of solving lattice problems with and without hints on a quantum computer? Answers to this question will provide confidence in the entire stack of lattice-based cryptography from “basic” to “advanced”. Studying the presence of hints tackles side-channel attacks and advanced constructions.
• What are the lattice assumptions that establish feature- and (near) performance-parity with pre-quantum cryptography? Standard lattice assumptions do not seem to establish feature parity with pairing-based or even some Diffie-Hellman-based pre-quantum constructions, how can we achieve efficient and secure advanced practical post-quantum solutions?
• How efficient is a careful composition of lattice-base cryptography with other assumptions? If we want to deploy our post-quantum solutions in practice, we will need to design hybrid schemes that are secure if either of their pre- or post-quantum part is secure and to deploy many advanced lattice-based primitives in practice we need to carefully compose them with zero-knowledge proofs to rule out some attacks.

Lattice-based cryptography has established itself as a key technology to realise both efficient basic primitives like post-quantum encryption and advanced solutions such as computation with encrypted data and programs. It is thus well positioned to tackle the middle ground of advanced yet practical primitives for phase 2 of the post-quantum transition.

Concretely, this grant award means that I’ll be recruiting for several postdoc and PhD student (international fees, i.e. not restricted to people from the UK) positions in post-quantum and lattice-based cryptography. I have a bit of flexibility in when to put those on the market, so if you think these positions would fit you well, feel free to get in touch with me to informally discuss it.

In somewhat related news, we’re hiring for a lecturer (≈ assistant professor) position at King’s College London. We’re also hiring for PhD or postdoc residency (≈ intern) positions at SandboxAQ.

(*) Well, there is the tiny issue of Brexit: “As described in Annex 3 of the ERC Work Programme 2022, successful applicants established in a country in the process of associating to Horizon Europe will not be treated as established in an associated country if the association agreement does not apply by the time of the signature of the grant agreement.” See also UKRI’s guidance on the UK’s guarantee scheme.

Postdoc at Royal Holloway on Lattice-based Cryptography

I’m looking for a postdoc to work with me and others – in the ISG and at Imperial College – on lattice-based cryptography and, ideally, its connections to coding theory.

The ISG is a nice place to work; it’s a friendly environment with strong research going on in several areas. We got people working across the field of information security including several people working on cryptography. For example, Carlos Cid, Anamaria Costache, Lydia Garms, Jianwei Li, Sean Murphy, Rachel Player, Eamonn Postlethwaite, Joe Rowell, Fernando Virdia and me all have looked at or are looking at lattice-based cryptography.

A postdoc here is a 100% research position, i.e. you wouldn’t have teaching duties. That said, if you’d like to gain some teaching experience, we can arrange for that as well.

If you have e.g. a two-body problem and would like to discuss flexibility about being in the office (assuming we’ll all be back in the office at some post-covid19 point), feel free to get in touch.

Postdoc at Royal Holloway on Lattice-based Cryptography

Update: 25/09/2020: New deadline: 30 October.

We are looking for a postdoc to join us to work on lattice-based cryptography. This postdoc is funded by the EU H2020 PROMETHEUS project for building privacy preserving systems from advanced lattice primitives. At Royal Holloway, the project is looked after by Rachel Player and me. Feel free to e-mail me with any queries you might have.

The ISG is a nice place to work; it’s a very friendly environment with strong research going on in several areas. We got people working across the field of information security including several people working on cryptography. A postdoc here is a 100% research position, i.e. you wouldn’t have teaching duties. That said, if you’d like to gain some teaching experience, we can arrange for that as well.

Also, if you have e.g. a two-body problem and would like to discuss flexibility about being in the office (assuming we’ll all be back in the office at some post-covid19 point), feel free to get in touch.

Postdoc at Royal Holloway on Lattice-based Cryptography

We are looking for a postdoc to join us to work on lattice-based cryptography. This postdoc is funded by the EU H2020 PROMETHEUS project for building privacy preserving systems from advanced lattice primitives. At Royal Holloway, the project is looked after by Rachel Player and me. Feel free to e-mail me with any queries you might have.

The ISG is a nice place to work; it’s a very friendly environment with strong research going on in several areas. We got people working across the field of information security including several people working on cryptography. A postdoc here is a 100% research position, i.e. you wouldn’t have teaching duties. That said, if you’d like to gain some teaching experience, we can arrange for that as well.

Also, if you have e.g. a two-body problem and would like to discuss flexibility about being in the office, feel free to get in touch.

Location:	Egham
Salary:	£41,743 per annum – including London Allowance
Closing Date:	Thursday 12 September 2019
Interview Date:	To be confirmed
Reference:	0819-315

Full-Time, Fixed Term (until December 2021)

The ISG is seeking to recruit a post-doctoral research assistant to work in the area of cryptography. The position is available now until 31 December 2021.

The PDRA will work alongside Dr. Martin Albrecht, Dr. Rachel Player and other cryptographic researchers at Royal Holloway on topics in lattice-based cryptography. This post is part of the EU H2020 PROMETHEUS project (http://prometheuscrypt.gforge.inria.fr) for building privacy preserving systems from advanced lattice primitives. Our research focus within this project is on cryptanalysis and implementations, but applicants with a strong background in other areas such as protocol/primitive design are also encouraged to apply.

Applicants should have already completed, or be close to completing, a PhD in a relevant discipline. Applicants should have an outstanding research track record in cryptography. Applicants should be able to demonstrate scientific creativity, research independence, and the ability to communicate their ideas effectively in written and verbal form.

In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Training and Development opportunities
• Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution
• Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing.
• Free parking

The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the College is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London.

Informal enquiries can be made to Martin Albrecht at martin.albrecht@royalholloway.ac.uk

We particularly welcome applicants from backgrounds which are typically under-represented in cryptography. We are committed to enabling a healthy work-life balance.

Please quote the reference: 0819-315

Closing Date: Midnight, 12 September 2019

Interview Date: To be confirmed

PS: I have no idea why our HR department thinks “free parking” is a perk worth mentioning.

Two Postdocs on Lattice-based Cryptography

I have two postdoc positions available to work on lattice-based or post-quantum cryptography with me and other people here in the ISG. Currently, five PhD students work on post-quantum or lattice-based cryptography in the ISG, as well as two postdocs. Furthermore, several more students, staff and postdocs work across the field of cryptography in general. We have regular reading groups, research seminars, visitors and decent travel funding. Beyond cryptography, the ISG works across the field of information security, e.g. smart card/embedded security, malware analysis and social or cultural aspects of security. I guess what I’m saying is: yes, Royal Holloway is in Brexit-land, but the ISG is a good place to work. If you have any informal queries, feel free to get in touch.

Location	Egham
Salary	£37,345 per annum – including London Allowance
Closing Date	Friday 05 April 2019
Interview Date	To be confirmed
Reference	0219-081

The postdoc will work alongside Dr. Martin Albrecht and other cryptographic researchers in the ISG on topics in lattice-based cryptography and related fields. One post is funded by a joint grant between Royal Holloway and Imperial College (Dr. Cong Ling) for bridging the gap between lattice-based cryptography and coding theory (starting date: 15 April or later). The second post is funded by an EPSRC grant on investigating the security of lattice-based and post-quantum cryptographic constructions (starting date: 1 June or later). Applicants with a strong background in all areas of cryptography are encouraged to apply.

Applicants should have already completed, or be close to completing, a PhD in a relevant discipline. Applicants should have an outstanding research track record in cryptography. Applicants should be able to demonstrate scientific creativity, research independence, and the ability to communicate their ideas effectively in written and verbal form.

The ISG is one of the largest departments dedicated to information security in the world with 21 core academic staff in the department, as well as research and support staff. We work with many research partners in other departments and have circa 90 PhD students working on a wide range of security research, many of whom are fully funded through our Centre for Doctoral Training in Cyber Security. We have a strong, vibrant, embedded and successful multi-disciplinary research profile spanning from cryptography to systems security and social aspects of security. This vibrant environment incorporates visiting researchers, weekly research seminars, weekly reading groups, PhD seminars and mini conferences, the WISDOM group (Women in the Security Domain Or Mathematics) and we are proud of our collegial atmosphere and approach.

If you require any further information please email: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk. Informal enquiries can be made to Martin Albrecht at martin.albrecht@rhul.ac.uk.

• Please quote the reference: 0219-081
• Closing Date: Midnight, 5 April 2019
• Interview Date: To be confirmed

Postdoc Position at Royal Holloway on Key Exchange

Carlos and I have a postdoc position on designing cryptographic key exchange protocols that support incorporating key material from, erm, … diverse sources. This is part of a consortium that looks at integrating some quantum cryptography with post-quantum cryptography, but there is no need to think so narrowly about the problem. That is, the project is about incorporating randomness from wherever it might come and what security goals can be achieved depending on what is compromised. More generally, if you enjoy cryptographic protocols, not limited to key exchange protocols, this might be a fitting postdoc position. Get in touch with Carlos or me, if you’re unsure on whether the position is a good fit.

Location:	Egham
Salary:	£39,479 to £41,743 per annum – including London Allowance
Closing Date:	Tuesday 12 March 2019
Interview Date:	To be confirmed
Reference:	0219-048

The Information Security Group at Royal Holloway University of London is seeking to recruit a postdoctoral research assistant (PDRA) to work in the area of cryptography. The position is available for immediate start, for up to 26 months (until 31 March 2021).

The PDRA will work alongside Prof. Carlos Cid, Dr. Martin Albrecht and other cryptographic researchers at Royal Holloway on topics connected to the design and analysis of cryptographic key exchange protocols that support incorporating key material from diverse sources. This post is part of the AQuaSec project, a Innovate UK-funded research project with 17 partners from industry and academia, aiming to develop technologies for quantum-safe communications by integrating post-quantum cryptography with techniques from quantum cryptography.

Applicants for this role should have already completed, or be close to completing, a PhD in a relevant discipline, with an outstanding research track record in cryptography. Applicants should be able to demonstrate scientific creativity, research independence, and the ability to communicate their ideas effectively in written and verbal form. Salary is £39,479 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance. This post is appointed at Grade 7, Spine point 34.

Established in 1990, the Information Security Group at Royal Holloway was one of the first dedicated academic groups in the world to conduct research and teaching in information security. The ISG is today a world-leading interdisciplinary research group with 20 full-time members of staff, several postdoctoral research assistants and over 50 PhD students working on a range of subjects in cyber security, in particular cryptography.

In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Training and Development opportunities
• Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution
• Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing.
• Free parking
• Competitive Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave provisions

The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the College is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London.

To view further details of this post and to apply please visit https://jobs.royalholloway.ac.uk. For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk. Informal enquiries can be made to Prof. Carlos Cid at carlos.cid@rhul.ac.uk.

Please quote the reference: 0219-048

Closing Date: Midnight, 12 March 2019

Interview Date: To be confirmed

PS: I will have two more postdoc positions, on lattice-based cryptography in the next few weeks/months.

Postdoc at Royal Holloway on Lattice-based Cryptography

I am looking for a postdoc to join us to work on lattice-based cryptography. This postdoc is funded by the EU H2020 PROMETHEUS project for building privacy preserving systems from advanced lattice primitives. At Royal Holloway, the project is looked after by Kenny Paterson and me. Feel free to e-mail me with any queries you might have.

The ISG is a nice place to work; it’s a very friendly environment with strong research going on in several areas. We got people working across the field of information security including several people working on cryptography. A postdoc here is a 100% research position, i.e. you wouldn’t have teaching duties. That said, if you’d like to gain some teaching experience, we can arrange for that as well.

Also, if you have e.g. a two-body problem and would like to discuss flexibility about being in the office, feel free to get in touch.

Location	Egham
Salary	£36,654 per annum – including London Allowance
Closing Date	Monday 17 September 2018
Interview Date	To be confirmed
Reference	0818-334

The ISG is seeking to recruit a post-doctoral research assistant to work in the area of cryptography. The position is available now and will run until the end of 2021.

The PDRA will work alongside Dr. Martin Albrecht and other cryptographic researchers at Royal Holloway on topics in lattice-based cryptography. This post is part of the EU H2020 PROMETHEUS project (http://prometheuscrypt.gforge.inria.fr) for building privacy preserving systems from advanced lattice primitives. Our research focus within this project is on cryptanalysis and implementations, but applicants with a strong background in other areas such as protocol/primitive design are also encouraged to apply.

Applicants should have already completed, or be close to completing, a PhD in a relevant discipline. Applicants should have an outstanding research track record in cryptography. Applicants should be able to demonstrate scientific creativity, research independence, and the ability to communicate their ideas effectively in written and verbal form.

In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including generous annual leave and training and development opportunities. This is a full time fixed term post is based in Egham, Surrey where the College is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London.

Informal enquiries can be made to Martin Albrecht at martin.albrecht@royalholloway.ac.uk.

To view further details of this post and to apply please visit https://jobs.royalholloway.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx?ref=0818-334. For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk.

Please quote the reference: 0818-334

Closing Date: Midnight, 17th September 2018

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Postdoc at Royal Holloway on Post-Quantum Cryptography in Hardware

Together with Carlos Cid, we have a two-year postdoc position available. The position is focused on hardware implementations of post-quantum cryptography such as lattice-based, code-based, hash-based or mq-based schemes. If you are interested, feel free to get in touch with Carlos or me. If you know of somone who might be interested, we would appreciate if you could make them aware of this position.

Postdoc at Royal Holloway on Quantum-Safe Cryptography in Hardware

Together with Carlos Cid, we have a two-year postdoc position available. The position is focused on hardware implementations of quantum-safe cryptography such as lattice-based, code-based, hash-based or mq-based schemes. If you are interested, feel free to get in touch with Carlos or me. If you know of somone who might be interested, we would appreciate if you could make them aware of this position.

Postdoc Position at Royal Holloway

We got a one year crypto postdoc position in the Information Security Group.

Location	Egham
Salary	£33,789 to £39,902 per annum – including London Allowance
Closing Date	Monday 10 October 2016
Interview Date	To be confirmed
Reference	0916-295

The ISG is seeking to recruit a post-doctoral research assistant to work in the area of Cryptography. The position is available now for the period of one year.

The PDRA will work alongside Prof. Kenny Paterson and other cryptographic researchers at Royal Holloway on topics in Cryptography. Our current areas of interest include lattice-based cryptography, multilinear maps, indistinguishability obfuscation, and applied cryptography.

Applicants should have already completed (essential if COS required), or be close to completing, a PhD in a relevant discipline. Applicants should have an outstanding research track record in Cryptography. Applicants should be able to demonstrate scientific creativity, research independence, and the ability to communicate their ideas effectively in written and verbal form.

This is a full time post, available as soon as possible for a fixed term period of 12 months. This post is based in Egham, Surrey, where the College is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London.

Informal enquiries can be made to Kenny Paterson at kenny.paterson@rhul.ac.uk.

The Human Resources Department can be contacted with queries by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk.