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

Organisationseinheit

Institut für Technische Informatik (ITEC)

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

For many years, the Chair for Embedded Systems (CES) has been internationally recognized for its research in embedded systems, resource-aware computing, and security. Many open research challenges in these areas must be addressed to ensure trustworthy, secure, and efficient computing in modern distributed and embedded environments.

With the increasing complexity of connected and decentralized computing systems, ensuring efficiency, security, and transparency has become a key challenge. This is particularly relevant in embedded and resource-constrained environments such as edge computing. Emerging technologies, including blockchain for secure computing, explainable AI (XAI) for system transparency, and machine learning for resource management, offer promising solutions but require further exploration to be effectively deployed in real-world systems. These challenges are especially relevant in the context of next-generation communication networks such as 6G, which demand low-latency, secure, and resource-efficient computing solutions.

Ihre Aufgaben

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.

Eintrittstermin

As soon as possible

Ihre 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 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.

Das bieten wir Ihnen

Become a member of staff of the only German University of Excellence that conducts large-scale research on the national level. Work under excellent working conditions in an international environment and be active in research and academic education for our future. Benefit from specific training when starting your job and from a wide range of further qualification offers. Use our flexible working time models (flexitime, work from home), our sports and leisure offers, as well as our child and holiday care services. We also pay a share of EUR 25/month in the Job Ticket Baden-Württemberg. Enjoy a large variety of dishes, snacks, and beverages at our canteens.

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.

Kontakt

Bei allgemeinen Fragen zur Bewerbung:
Personalservice (PSE) - Personalbetreuung
Frau Yurdakul
Telefon: +49 721 608-44355,
Kaiserstr. 12, 76131 Karlsruhe