PhD Student / Research Assistant (f/m/d) Secure and Efficient Computing in Emerging Systems

We seek a highly motivated researcher (f/m/d) to contribute to our ongoing efforts in secure, explainable, and efficient computing through research in one or more of the following areas:

• Embedded systems and resource-aware computing – developing techniques for efficient execution, adaptive resource management, and performance optimization.
• Security and trust in computing systems – designing methods for data integrity, secure execution, and verification in distributed and embedded architectures.
• Blockchain for trusted computing – investigating lightweight, decentralized security mechanisms for data protection, model verification, and tamper resistance.
• Explainability and transparency in computing – developing techniques for interpretable and auditable system behavior in machine learning-driven and automated decision-making systems.
• Machine learning for systems optimization – leveraging ML to enhance energy efficiency, real-time performance, and dynamic workload adaptation.
• Efficient and secure computing in 6G networks – exploring low-latency and secure computing frameworks that integrate blockchain, explainability, and resource-aware AI techniques for future networked systems.

The selected candidate will work in a collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment, contributing to both fundamental research and practical system implementations.

Persönliche Qualifikation

The ideal candidate (f/m/d) must have a very good Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science (CS), Electrical Engineering (EE), or a related field, with a specialization in one or more of the following areas:

• Embedded Systems & Resource Management (e.g., real-time computing, energy-efficient architectures, hardware/software co-design).
• Security & Trusted Computing (e.g., blockchain, cryptographic protocols, secure system architectures).
• Machine Learning for Systems (e.g., ML-driven optimization, AI for embedded applications, decision support systems).
• Explainability & Transparency in Computing (e.g., interpretable AI, system auditability, explainable security mechanisms).
• Decentralized and Trusted Computing (e.g., lightweight blockchain security, verifiable computing, distributed trust frameworks).

Additional skills that will be beneficial (but not mandatory) include:

• Experience in Linux environments, programming in C/C++, Python, or knowledge of hardware/software security frameworks.
• Familiarity with system simulators or or cryptographic security techniques.
• Interest in privacy-preserving computing, lightweight consensus mechanisms, or AI explainability methods.

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. The ideal candidate should be highly motivated, capable of working independently, and interested in interdisciplinary research. Strong communication skills are essential for effective collaboration within the research team.

Organisationseinheit

Salary

Salary category 13 TV-L, depending on the fulfillment of professional and personal requirements.

Contract duration

1 year

Application up to

May 15th, 2025

Contact person in line-management

For technical details please contact Bakr Sikal (bakr.sikal@kit.edu) or Prof. Henkel (henkel@kit.edu) with the mail topic: Application CES-TRUSTCHAINX.