Doctoral student in computer engineering
Högskolan i Halmstad / Högskolejobb / Halmstad
2025-12-19
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Work at a University where different perspectives meet!
Halmstad University adds value, drives innovation and prepares people and society for the future.
Ever since the start beginning in 1983, innovation and collaboration with society have characterised the University's education and research. Today, the University has a wide range of educational programmes, about 14,000 students and 700 employees. The research is internationally renowned and is conducted in multidisciplinary innovation and research environments within the University's two focus areas: Health Innovation and Smart Cities and Communities. The University participates actively in the development of society through extensive and high-profile collaboration with both industry and the public sector.
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The School of Information Technology
Halmstad University's School of Information Technology (ITE) is a renowned multi-disciplinary institution with around 155 employees from 20 different countries. ITE is internationally recognised for its applied research and collaborative initiatives, focusing on smart technology and its practical applications.
Within ITE, our students and researchers engage in diverse areas of study, including electronics, AI, information-driven healthcare, autonomous vehicles, social robotics, and digital design. We offer a comprehensive range of educational programmes, ranging from undergraduate to doctoral levels, as well as professional development opportunities.
Research is conducted within the University's research programmes, especially Information Driven Care (IDC), Re-Imagining Future Smart Living - beyond the Living Lab (REBEL), Learning in a Digitalised Society (LeaDS) and the Future Industry Research Programme (FIRP).
ITE is home to Leap for Life, an innovation centre for information-driven care, as well as the Electronics Centre in Halmstad (ECH), a collaborative space for electronic development.
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Description
Halmstad University invites applications for a PhD position in Computer Engineering focused on developing AI-based methods for secure and trustworthy hardware design. The position is part of a close collaboration within ELLIIT, Sweden's strategic research environment in ICT, where Halmstad University and Lund University together address fundamental challenges in hardware security at a time of major transformation in cybersecurity.
The global transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) marks an important shift toward long-term digital security. While new cryptographic standards such as ML-KEM (Kyber) and ML-DSA (Dilithium) are now being established, ensuring that these methods are implemented securely in real hardware remains a critical and open challenge. Subtle hardware behaviours-often undocumented or insufficiently specified-can undermine security guarantees and expose systems to attack.
In this project, you will contribute to research that aims to identify and prevent hardware vulnerabilities early in the design process, before silicon fabrication. The PhD work focuses on applying machine learning and explainable AI to hardware verification, with the goal of making security risks visible, understandable, and actionable. You will explore how Graph Neural Networks can model hardware designs at RTL and gate level, support interpretable vulnerability analysis, and inform practical hardening strategies that balance security, performance, and energy efficiency.
You will work in a supportive and collaborative research environment, with joint supervision from Halmstad University and Lund University. The position includes collaboration with a PhD student at Lund University including regular research exchanges, and opportunities for co-authored publications. We value teamwork, knowledge sharing, and diverse perspectives, and we strive to provide a research culture where you can grow both scientifically and professionally.
This is a fixed-term employment, at full time, for up to 4 years of research time available from April 1st, 2026 (or as soon as possible). Initially, the position covers one year, after which it may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, provided that the individual study plan is followed. The position may include up to 20% teaching and administrative duties, in which case the total duration can be extended to a maximum of 5 years.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate has a master's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
Strong programming skills (Python, C/C++).
Solid foundation in digital design and computer architecture.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
Desirable
Experience with machine learning/deep learning
Knowledge of hardware security, side-channel attacks, or cryptography
Familiarity with HDL languages (Verilog/SystemVerilog), verification tools, or formal methods
Students expecting to finalize their degree the coming month are also welcome to apply. Only those who are or have been admitted to third-cycle courses and study programs at a higher education may be appointed to doctoral studentships. (The Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5 Section 3). The student's ability to benefit from doctoral studies will be taken into account when we make the appointment. (The Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5 Section 5).
Salary
Doctoral students are employees of the University and paid a salary according to a uniform salary scale, adjusted in relation to the progress in education.
Application
Applications should be sent via Halmstad University's recruitment system Varbi (see link on this page).
How to design your application
General Information
We value the qualities that gender balance and diversity bring to our organization. We therefore welcome applicants with different backgrounds, gender, functionality and, not least, life experience.
Read more about Halmstad University
Information for International Applicants
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Ersättning Monthly salary
Så ansöker du Sista dag att ansöka är 2026-01-07
Klicka på denna länk för att göra din ansökan Arbetsgivarens referens Arbetsgivarens referens för detta jobb är "PA 2025/228".
Omfattning Detta är ett heltidsjobb.
Arbetsgivare Högskolan i Halmstad (org.nr 202100-3203)
Arbetsplats Halmstad University, Akademin för informationsteknologi
Kontakt Ross Friel
ross.friel@hh.se Jobbnummer 9656751