QKD Security Evaluation Specialist - DTU Physics

Dansk Sprogskole; Kongens Lyngby; On-site; DKK 540,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

DTU Physics seeks a specialist to advance CV-QKD security evaluation, validation, and documentation within European and Danish activities. You will complete experimental test stations, develop methodologies, and coordinate with partners to ensure rigorous testing and certification readiness.

The role emphasizes independent work, strong English communication, and collaboration within international teams, with a focus on practical implementation-security analysis and experimental verification.

Qualifications

• A relevant MSc or PhD degree in physics, electrical engineering, photonics, quantum technology or a closely related field.
• Extensive and documented knowledge of CV-QKD systems and their practical implementation.
• Documented experience with implementation-security aspects of CV-QKD, including attacks and countermeasures.
• Hands-on experience designing and constructing laboratory test setups for systematic evaluation of optical or CV‑QKD devices.
• Strong experience with automated measurement systems and scientific programming for data acquisition and analysis.
• Experience developing security-evaluation methodologies and writing detailed technical evaluation reports or comparable project deliverables.
• Familiarity with CV-QKD standardization, certification or security-assurance activities, preferably from European collaborative projects.
• The ability to work independently, structure complex technical tasks and deliver high-quality results against project deadlines.
• Strong written and spoken English and the ability to collaborate effectively in international project teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine methodologies for systematic security evaluation of CV-QKD devices.
• Complete experimental test stations for implementation-security testing of CV-QKD systems.
• Plan and perform measurements on CV-QKD components and devices, including validation of test procedures.
• Develop and maintain software for automated data acquisition, processing and analysis.
• Analyse experimental data and assess results against defined security and performance criteria.
• Evaluate implementation vulnerabilities, relevant attack mechanisms and corresponding countermeasures.
• Prepare detailed technical evaluation reports and project deliverables.
• Contribute to documentation supporting CV-QKD standardization, testing and certification activities.
• Coordinate technical work and results with partners in NOSTRADAMUS, AccessQKD and related activities.

Skills

CV-QKD security evaluation

Experimental QKD testing

Laboratory test setups

Automated measurement systems

Scientific programming

Technical reporting

English communication

Education

Master's or PhD in physics / electrical engineering / photonics / quantum technology

Tools

Python

LabVIEW

Data acquisition software

Job description

Do you have hands-on experience with security evaluation of continuous variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) systems, including implementation-security analysis, experimental testing and technical documentation?

DTU Physics is looking for a specialist to contribute to the completion of ongoing European and Danish activities on systematic QKD testing, validation, standardization and certification.

The job

Your primary responsibility will be to complete and consolidate experimental QKD security-evaluation activities and the associated methodologies and documentation. You will work independently while interacting closely with researchers and project partners.

Your tasks will include:

• Develop and refine methodologies for systematic security evaluation of CV-QKD devices.
• Complete experimental test stations for implementation-security testing of CV-QKD systems.
• Plan and perform measurements on CV-QKD components and devices, including validation of test procedures.
• Develop and maintain software for automated data acquisition, processing and analysis.
• Analyse experimental data and assess results against defined security and performance criteria.
• Evaluate implementation vulnerabilities, relevant attack mechanisms and corresponding countermeasures.
• Prepare detailed technical evaluation reports and project deliverables.
• Contribute to documentation supporting CV-QKD standardization, testing and certification activities.
• Coordinate technical work and results with partners in NOSTRADAMUS, AccessQKD and related activities.

Our expectations of you

We are looking for a candidate with a strong technical background in CV-QKD security evaluation. Because the position focuses on completing advanced ongoing project activities, documented practical experience with both implementation-security analysis and experimental QKD testing is essential.

We expect that you have:

• A relevant MSc or PhD degree in physics, electrical engineering, photonics, quantum technology or a closely related field.
• Extensive and documented knowledge of CV-QKD systems and their practical implementation.
• Documented experience with implementation-security aspects of CV-QKD, including attacks and countermeasures.
• Hands‑on experience designing and constructing laboratory test setups for systematic evaluation of optical or CV‑QKD devices.
• Strong experience with automated measurement systems and scientific programming for data acquisition and analysis.
• Experience developing security‑evaluation methodologies and writing detailed technical evaluation reports or comparable project deliverables.
• Familiarity with CV-QKD standardization, certification or security‑assurance activities, preferably from European collaborative projects.
• The ability to work independently, structure complex technical tasks and deliver high‑quality results against project deadlines.
• Strong written and spoken English and the ability to collaborate effectively in international project teams.

What we offer in return

You will work in an international research environment at DTU Physics and collaborate with leading European partners working to establish rigorous methods for evaluating the security and performance of practical QKD systems. The position provides an opportunity to contribute directly to methodologies and documentation that can support the future deployment and certification of quantum‑secure communication technologies.

Salary and appointment terms

The employment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). In addition, supplements can be negotiated in accordance with DTU’s salary structure for academic staff employed in technical‑administrative positions at DTU (AC TAP): www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures.

The position is full-time, commencing on 1 October 2026. The position is time‑limited until 30 September 2027. Your formal title will be Special Consultant.

If you would like additional information about the position, please contact Professor Ulrik Lund Andersen [e-mail].

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open‑source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

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DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.