Do you want to make a difference in the emerging world of computing ushered by the open standard RISC-V?

The Computer Architecture for Embedded Systems (CAES) Chair at the University of Twente invites applications for a 4-year PhD position on the topic of "Design and characterization of Hardware Security methodologies for RISC-V."

We are looking for a talented and focused researcher with a strong background in digital design and computer architecture who has the ambition to contribute to creating novel approaches to achieve secure processor resilience against cybersecurity threats.

The successful applicant will be supervised by Dr. Ir. Marco Ottavi. During the four years appointment, the PhD student will have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge by joining international exchange programs, participating in national and international conferences and workshops, and visiting other research institutes and universities worldwide.

You will work within the framework of the KDT-JU-funded TRISTAN (Together for RISc-V Technology and ApplicatioNs) project. TRISTAN'S overarching aim is to expand, mature, and industrialize the European RISC-V ecosystem to compete with existing commercial alternatives.

Your project will focus on the activities:

• Investigating the security risks to the RISC-V processor and creating new attack models based on existing vulnerabilities.
• Developing design changes to improve the security of the RISC-V architecture against side-channel attacks and hardware Trojans in IP cores.
• Testing the effectiveness of these solutions using microarchitectural side-channel attacks such as Meltdown and Spectre, and/or analyzing power and electromagnetic traces for side-channel analysis.

Also, in collaboration with the other TRISTAN PhD candidate at the CAES Chair, you will explore dual-purpose modifications to the core to obtain both security and reliability enhancement.

• You are an enthusiastic researcher and highly motivated;
• You have, or will shortly acquire, an MSc degree in the field of Electrical and Computer Engineering or similar;
• You have a strong background in digital hardware design and computer architecture;
• You have a creative mindset and excellent analytical and communication skills;
• You have good team spirit and like to work in an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented environment;
• You are fluent in English.

• As a PhD student at UT, you will be appointed to a full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, within a very stimulating and exciting scientific environment;
• The University offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues;
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 2.541,- (first year) to € 3.247,- (fourth year);
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid);
• You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision;
• We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other staff.

You will work in the Dependable Computing Systems (DCS) Group at the CAES chair of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Sciences (EEMCS), University of Twente. The Computer Architecture for Embedded Systems (CAES) Chair conducts research and education in computer architecture and computing systems, with a particular emphasis on embedded systems. The mission of the DCS group is to design and test new computing systems that are both secure and reliable by exploring new ideas and techniques.