Research Associate (Secure Hardware Design)

About TUMCREATE

TUMCREATE is a multidisciplinary research platform of the Technical University Munich (TUM) at the Singapore Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise(CREATE). We are joining forces with universities, public agencies, and industry for the advancement of future technologies.

Our research program on post-quantum Security, ‘QUASAR - QUANTUM SECURITY AND RESILIENCE FOR EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES’ funded by Singapore’s National Research Foundation (NRF), is a collaborative effort between the Technical University Munich (TUM), Fraunhofer Singapore, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the National University of Singapore (NUS). At TUMCREATE, we will focus on developing an open and verifiable Quantum safe RISC-V processor platform as a foundation for the QUASAR program.

As part of the QUASAR team, you will work alongside renowned scientists in Integrated Circuit (IC) design, security, and quantum technologies.

Please visit www.tum-create.edu.sg for more information about TUMCREATE.

Job Purpose/Objective of the Position:

We are seeking a highly motivated researcher who wishes to pursue a PhD in Secure Hardware Design, focusing on the integration and efficient implementation of post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) algorithms in a RISC-V-based processor platform.

The position emphasizes hardware/software co-design, accelerator design, and ASIC-oriented implementation, targeting an open-source, verifiable post-quantum secure system.

This is a fixed term contract until March 2029 when applicable.

Job Responsibilities:

PQC Accelerator Design & Integration

• Design and implement hardware accelerators for post-quantum cryptographic algorithms (e.g., lattice-based,hash-based schemes)
• Perform microarchitectural exploration for: throughput/latency optimization and area and power efficiency trade-offs
• Integrate accelerators into a RISC-V-based SoC (e.g., tightly coupled or via interconnect)

Hardware/Software Co-Design for Secure Systems

• Co-design PQC implementations across: hardware accelerators and Firmware/runtime libraries
• Optimize interaction between: processor pipeline, memory hierarchy, and cryptographic modules
• Support system-level execution(bare-metal / OS-level) for end-to-end validation

Hardware Security &Side-Channel-Aware Design

• Evaluate and enhance side-channel resistance of PQC hardware implementations
• Analyze vulnerabilities such as power/timing leakage and microarchitectural side channels
• Study security-performance trade-offs in hardware implementations

System Integration & Prototype Validation

• Integrate designed components into a full RISC-V system prototype (FPGA or simulation-based)
• Validate functionality using simulation and FPGA-based prototyping (when applicable)
• Collaborate with verification and platform teams to ensure correctness across abstraction layers and smooth transition toward manufacturable ASIC designs

Job Requirements/Competencies:

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering,Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields
• Strong foundation in digital design/hardware security/Computer architecture
• Familiarity with RISC-V architecture or SoC design
• Programming skills in C/C++ and/or Python
• Experience with cryptographic hardware design (especially PQC is a plus)
• Knowledge of side-channel attacks and countermeasures
• Familiarity with open-source EDA tools (Yosys, OpenROAD, etc.)

What TUM CREATE offers you:

• Hands-on experience with a state-of-the-art open-source RISC-V coreon FPGA
• A well-established FPGA platform with a clearly defined research scope
• Close supervision within an international, interdisciplinary research project
• A collaborative and inclusive world-class research environment
• Competitive salary that is commensurate with experience
• Medical insurance
• Good amount of leave/vacation days
• Vibrant, modern and positive working environment in Singapore
• Campus-sited office location with a host of facilities
• In-building perks including gym, game room and coffee room

Applications

Please send the following compulsory documents in your

• Cover letter
• CV
• University transcripts

to [email protected]

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We look forward to your application!