Transitioning classical cryptographic protocols to post-quantum cryptographic alternatives presents a number of engineering challenges: performing proper drop-in replacement, implementing with a view towards security over efficiency, taking a hybrid approach [BCDKSVW24] to err on the side of caution but having to manage both classical and post-quantum algorithms at the same time, or even redesigning the working principles of a protocol when the post-quantum primitives are unavailable or don’t meet the necessary requirements.
The candidate’s research will focus on the study and application of post-quantum cryptography in complex protocols, with particular focus but not limited to transition to new standards in digital identity infrastructure [SGMC22], encryption in transit and end-to-end [HTW26], and verifiable threshold secret sharing schemes [CDSYR24] for electronic voting. The transition timeline will also be subjects of interest in the management of cryptographic assets and long-term archival [RLP25].

References
[BCDKSVW24] Manuel Barbosa, Deirdre Connolly, João Diogo Duarte, Aaron Kaiser, Peter Schwabe, Karolin Varner, Bas Westerbaan (2024). X-Wing: The Hybrid KEM You’ve Been Looking For. IACR CiC (2024). https://doi.org/10.62056/a3qj89n4e
[CDSYR24] J Chen, H Deng, H Su, M Yuan, Y Ren (2024). Lattice-Based Threshold Secret Sharing Scheme and Its Applications: A Survey. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13020287
[HTW26] B Hale, X Tian, L Wang (2026). Benchmarking of the Amortized Post Quantum Combiner for MLS. To appear in SSR 2025. https://eprint.iacr.org/2026/034
[MO24] J Müller, J Oupický, POPETS 2024. Post-quantum XML and SAML Single Sign-On. https://doi.org/10.56553/popets-2024-0128
[RLP25] Ricchizzi, N., Langner, A., Pelzl, J. (2025). Enhancing Long-Term Storage Security in Critical Infrastructures Under NIS2 Directive: Addressing Post-quantum Cryptography Challenges. CRITIS 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-84260-3_3
[SGMC22] Schardong, F., Giron, A.A., Müller, F.L., Custódio, R. (2022). Post-Quantum Electronic Identity: Adapting OpenID Connect and OAuth 2.0 to the Post-Quantum Era. CANS 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20974-1_20

Ideal candidate:
MSc in Computer Science or Mathematics with a focus on applied cryptography, in particular on post-quantum cryptographic protocols
Good software development skills, preferably in Rust, Go, or Python
Good knowledge and proficiency of the English language
Expertise on one or more of the scientific topics in the call description above