PhD Student in Formal Methods and Design Automation for Cryptography and Hardware Security

Develop formal methods and design automation techniques for secure cryptography and hardware systems.

Best for:Best for computer science or mathematics graduates with a strong theoretical background and an interest in formal methods, cryptography, and hardware security.

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) · Amsterdam, Netherlands · R1 · First-stage researcher

More professors at Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI)

formal methodshardware securitycryptographylogic synthesisprivacy-preserving verificationautomated reasoning

Deadline

Until filled

rolling

Funding

Salaried

€3.1k–€4.0k/mo

Start date

flexible

Fixed-term

Location

Amsterdam

Netherlands

Overview

The Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) in Amsterdam invites applications for a fully funded PhD position within its Computer Security research group. Part of the NWO Gravitation program Challenges in Cyber Security, the project focuses on developing automated reasoning tools, logic synthesis, and privacy-preserving formal verification to enhance trust in cryptographic protocols and hardware implementations. The successful candidate will build prototype tools, evaluate them on realistic benchmarks, and collaborate with leading national and international research partners. Supervision is led by Dr. Chenglu Jin under the headship of Prof. Marten van Dijk.

PhDformal methodscryptographyhardware securitylogic synthesiszero-knowledge proofsmulti-party computationCWI

What you'll do

Develop theoretical foundations for novel formal models, algorithms, and security proofs.
Design and implement research prototype tools for hardware security and cryptographic verification.
Evaluate developed tools and methods using realistic benchmarks and case studies.
Collaborate actively with researchers within the CiCS consortium and international academic partners.
Disseminate research findings through presentations at international conferences and publications in leading venues.

Requirements

Degree required: Master’s degree in computer science, mathematics, computer engineering, or a related discipline

Degree offered: PhD

Language: English; excellent command required

Instruction: English

Required skills

Strong theoretical foundation in logic, discrete mathematics, cryptography, or formal methods
Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills
Programming experience in Python and/or C++ for building research prototypes
Ability to work effectively within an international, interdisciplinary team

Nice to have

Familiarity with formal verification techniques such as model checking, SAT/SMT, or theorem provingKnowledge of logic synthesis or secure computation paradigms including MPC, FHE, and zero-knowledge proofsExperience with hardware security aspects such as side-channel analysisDemonstrated research talent and strong academic writing and presentation skills

Eligibility

Open to candidates meeting the Master's degree requirement regardless of age, origin, sexual orientation, or physical abilities

Funding & terms

Type

Salaried

Amount

€3.1k–€4.0k/mo

Duration

4 years

Programme

Challenges in Cyber Security (CiCS)

NWO

How to apply

Deadline: 2026-12-31 · open until filled

Prepare a detailed resume, motivation letter, MSc course list with grades, copy of your Master's thesis, and publication list if available. Submit all required documents through the designated application portal before the deadline. Promising candidates will be contacted by email for further evaluation.

Documents required