Back to search results

PhD Studentship: Security and Resilience for Satellite Communications

University of Surrey

Qualification Type: PhD
Location: Guildford
Funding amount: Standard stipend (£19,237 p.a. 2024/25 rates)
Hours: Full Time
Placed On: 5th November 2024
Closes: 19th January 2025
Reference: PGR-2425-006

PhD Studentship: Security and Resilience for Satellite Communications

We are looking for a fully funded PhD candidate to conduct advanced research on novel cyber-physical security mechanisms for satellite communications and future generation networks.

Satellite Communications (SatComs) play a critical role in today’s global telecommunication systems. They provide support for a myriad of applications including global positioning and navigation systems, weather forecasting, telecommunications, military operations, radio broadcasting, aeronautical and maritime tracking and communication, among others. However, due to their complex nature, the harsh conditions observed in space, and sometimes a lack of robust security considerations during design and deployment, SatComs ecosystems often present a wide attack surface.

Although many research efforts have focused on the security of SatComs-based technologies, these systems still face a broad spectrum of cyber-physical threats including eavesdropping, tampering, jamming, spoofing, disruption, and rerouting of satellite traffic. Therefore, there is a need to better understand how we can protect existing satellite-based systems as well as future generation SatComs. In fact, 6G and the overarching goal of global connectivity will significantly rely on sophisticated SatComs to reach remote areas, provide low-latency communications, and enable advanced connectivity capabilities in combination with terrestrial networks.

The objective of this PhD project is to address security and resilience challenges faced by current and future SatComs-based technologies. As a special class of cyber-physical system, modern SatComs security and resilience can harness unprecedented flexibility in the distributed control of the electromagnetic radiation through, e.g., Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS). We propose a unique approach for strengthening the resilience of sense constellations and complex networks by merging physical and cyber levels. This is a unique opportunity to explore the synergies between the physical and cyber domains and investigate how can we leverage these interactions to increase the security and resilience of SatComs and future generation networks.

Further details on this PhD project can be found at:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qdcAkSeqY2Q649VxgUQi_vmKZr95SidE/view?usp=sharing

Supervisors: Dr Martin Barrere, Professor Gabriele Gradoni and Dr Mahtab Mirmohseni

Entry requirements

Open to any UK or international candidates. Starting in April 2025. Later start dates may be possible, please contact Dr Martin Barrere once the deadline passes.
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme.
Candidates with a keen interest in cyber security, networking, cyber-physical systems, mathematics, electromagnetic channel modelling, reconfigurable electromagnetics, and/or space engineering will probably feel more comfortable with this project. Programming skills and/or experience with network and security tools are highly welcome.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via the Computer Science PhD programme page.

In place of a research proposal, you should upload a document stating the title of the project that you wish to apply for and the name of the relevant supervisor.

Funding

Fully and directly funded for this project only. Standard stipend (£19,237 p.a. 2024/25 rates); full home or O/S tuition fees (as applicable); a research, training and support grant of up to £3,000 over the project. Funding available for 3.5 years (42 months).

Application deadline

19 January 2025

Enquiries

Contact Dr Martin Barrere

Ref

PGR-2425-006

We value your feedback on the quality of our adverts. If you have a comment to make about the overall quality of this advert, or its categorisation then please send us your feedback
Advert information

Type / Role:

Subject Area(s):

Location(s):

PhD tools
 

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Ok Ok

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Account Verification Missing

In order to create multiple job alerts, you must first verify your email address to complete your account creation

Request verification email Request verification email

jobs.ac.uk Account Required

In order to create multiple alerts, you must create a jobs.ac.uk jobseeker account

Create Account Create Account

Alert Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your account is currently blocked. Please login to unblock your account.

Email Address Blocked

We received a delivery failure message when attempting to send you an email and therefore your email address has been blocked. You will not receive job alerts until your email address is unblocked. To do so, please choose from one of the two options below.

Max Alerts Reached

A maximum of 5 Job Alerts can be created against your account. Please remove an existing alert in order to create this new Job Alert

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your alert was not created at this time. Please try again.

Ok Ok

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

 
 
 
More PhDs from University of Surrey

Show all PhDs for this organisation …

More PhDs like this
Join in and follow us

Browser Upgrade Recommended

jobs.ac.uk has been optimised for the latest browsers.

For the best user experience, we recommend viewing jobs.ac.uk on one of the following:

Google Chrome Firefox Microsoft Edge