Master Thesis Post-Quantum Embedded Software Project (f/m/d)

NXP Semiconductors; Hamburg; Hybrid; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading semiconductor company in Hamburg is looking for a Master's student for a thesis project in optimizing post-quantum cryptographic schemes on embedded platforms. This research-driven role involves analyzing existing implementations, implementing optimization strategies, and documenting findings. Candidates should have strong C programming skills, experience in embedded software, and good English communication abilities. The position offers a monthly salary of €2,120, flexible working hours, and a hybrid setup.

Leistungen

Monthly salary of €2,120

Flexible working hours

Hybrid work setup

Access to on-site cafeteria

Networking initiatives

Qualifikationen

• Master's student in Computer Science, Information Engineering, Information Security, Cryptography, or related fields.
• Good C programming skills, experience with low-level development.
• Very good English communication skills, professional working style.

Aufgaben

• Perform literature survey on optimization techniques.
• Analyze existing PQC implementations for bottlenecks.
• Implement optimization ideas using embedded frameworks.
• Measure and compare performance improvements and memory usage.
• Document methodology and present findings.

Kenntnisse

C programming

Embedded software development

Performance optimization

Cryptography

Low-level software development

Teamwork

English communication

Ausbildung

Master's in Computer Science or related fields

Tools

PQM4

PQClean

Jobbeschreibung

About the Team

You will join a multidisciplinary security research team working on emerging topics such as Post ‑ Quantum Cryptography (PQC), Cyber Resilience, Machine Learning and AI, Ultra ‑ Wideband (UWB) Security, and Physical Security. The team explores new concepts, evaluates technical feasibility, and prototypes ideas that may support future security technologies at NXP.

Project Highlight & Key Challenge

This thesis focuses on optimizing the performance and memory footprint of modern post ‑ quantum cryptographic (PQC) schemes on resource ‑ constrained embedded platforms. Typical targets include microcontroller ‑ class systems such as Arm Cortex ‑ M and RISC ‑ V–based devices. You will work with established open ‑ source PQC codebases and benchmarking frameworks such as PQM4 and PQClean, studying both algorithmic and implementation ‑ level optimization strategies. The goal is to identify bottlenecks and experimentally evaluate how different approaches affect execution performance, stack usage, and overall memory footprint on embedded targets.

This is a research ‑ driven project in which you contribute by exploring solution spaces, generating technical insights, and documenting your findings.

Your Responsibilities

In this thesis project, you will:

• Perform a literature survey on optimization techniques relevant to PQC and embedded cryptography.
• Analyze existing PQC implementations to identify performance or memory bottlenecks.
• Implement and evaluate optimization ideas using embedded cryptographic frameworks (e.g., PQM4, PQClean) on microcontroller ‑ class platforms.
• Measure and compare performance improvements and memory usage using appropriate benchmarking methodologies.
• Document your methodology and results and present your conclusions to the security research team.

Candidate Profile / Requirements

You are a master’s student in Computer Science, Information Engineering, Information Security, Cryptography, Mathematics, Software Engineering, or a related field.

You should have:

• Good C programming skills, including experience with low ‑ level development and performance ‑ aware code.
• Good hands ‑ on experience with embedded or low ‑ level software development (e.g., microcontrollers, cross ‑ compilation, debugging, or build systems).
• Interest to learn more about the following topics: embedded systems, cryptography, software optimization, hardware–software interaction, or secure system design.
• Very good English communication skills, both written and spoken.
• A professional and collaborative working style, including openness to guidance, constructive feedback, and teamwork in a research ‑ oriented environment.

What NXP Offers:

• A monthly salary of €2,120.00
• Flexible working hours
• The possibility to work in a hybrid setup
• Access to an on-site cafeteria
• Networking initiatives and Employee Resource Groups such as Young Community, No Extra Planet, NXP Equal, Women in NXP, and more — fostering both professional and personal exchange

Please note: The successful candidate may/will be responsible for security related tasks. The assignment may/will be in scope of security certifications, therefore a conscious and reliable way of working is necessary.

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