PhD studentship in Computer Science: Quantum Digital Signatures and Quantum Formal Methods

Award summary

100% Home-fees covered, and minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate)

Overview

Interested in understanding the interplay between computer science and physics in the field of quantum technologies? Working in collaboration with various universities (Glasgow, Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh, King’s College London, Middlesex) across UK, this PhD will investigate computer science techniques for the development of quantum security systems.  

Information security is critical and cryptographic techniques such as digital signatures are used for validating the authenticity and integrity of messages, software or digital documents. Quantum digital signatures are crypto-techniques that uses the laws of quantum physics to provide security that cannot be broken even if the adversary has unlimited computing power. 

This PhD will involve in developing novel quantum digital signature protocols, and verifying the security of the protocols using a branch in computer science known as formal methods. The success of formal methods in classical computing - they are ubiquitous e.g. in software development - led to the development of quantum formal methods, which helps to describe and analyse systems that combine quantum and classical elements. Previous research in quantum formal techniques focused on analysing realistic quantum information processing systems, to gain an understanding of concurrent and communicating quantum systems, and importantly to support the future development of tools for verifying the correctness of more complex quantum technologies.  

This project will explore, for the first time, to use quantum formal methods in the security analysis of quantum digital signatures. These investigations will play a significant part in the design and engineering of these protocols as these systems develop into practical technologies.

Number of awards: 1

Start date: September 2024

Award duration: 3.5 Years

Sponsor: School of Computing

Supervisors: Dr Ittoop V Puthoor

Eligibility criteria:

Applicants should have or expect a first class or high 2:1 Honours degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or another relevant discipline. A Masters qualification in a relevant subject area will be highly advantageous. Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently and strong analytical skills are essential requirements. Work Experience in related research areas (like quantum computing, quantum communications and formal methods) will be highly advantageous.

The studentship covers fees at the Home rate (UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status and meet the residency criteria). International applicants are welcome to apply but will be required to cover the difference between Home and International fees.

Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme.

How to apply

Apply using Apply to Newcastle Portal

Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.

Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:

• Search for the ‘Course Title’ using the programme code: 8050F
• Research Area: Computing Science
• Select PhD Computer Science as the programme of study

You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Questions’ section: 

• A ‘Personal Statement’
• The studentship code COMP2168 in the ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’ field
• You do not need to upload a research proposal. Type the title of the research project from this advert in the research proposal field

Before you submit your application you will need to upload the following supporting documentation:

• Covering letter and CV
• Degree transcripts and certificates

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