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Scholarship in CSIRO Industry PhD Program - Project 2: Techniques and Frameworks for Enabling Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Migration

Job No.: 678538            

Location: Clayton campus

Employment Type: Full-time

Duration: 4-year fixed-term appointment

Remuneration:

• 4-year scholarship package totalling approximately $47,000 per annum tax exempt (2025 rate)
• A four year Project Expense and Development package of $13,000 per annum

 The Opportunity

The CSIRO Industry PhD Program (iPhD) is a four-year research training program, focusing on applied research that benefits industry by solving real-world challenges. It aims to produce the next generation of innovation leaders with the skills to work at the interface of research and industry in Australia.

Please note that this opportunity is limited to applicants who are legally entitled to work in Australia on a permanent basis. 

The Program includes:

1. Admission to a university PhD program
2. Supervision by the participating university, CSIRO, and an industry partner
3. A four year scholarship package totalling approximately $47,000 per annum tax exempt (2025 rate)
4. A four year Project Expense and Development package of $13,000 per annum
5. A 60 day Industry Engagement component with the industry partner
6. A structured professional development and training program to develop your applied research skills

The project is entitled “Project 2: Techniques and Frameworks for Enabling Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) Migration”. This Project develops techniques for the migration to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to secure critical infrastructure from quantum attacks. The expected outcome is the design of methods, techniques and their prototype to implement trusted PQC migration. The potential benefit is to enhance the security of Australian critical infrastructures against quantum attacks.

Candidate Requirements

The candidate must:

1. Advise on their legal entitlement to work in Australia on a permanent basis
2. Meet participating university PhD admission requirements
3. Meet university English language requirements
4. Not have previously completed a PhD
5. Be able to commence the Program in the year of the offer
6. Enrol as a full-time PhD student. Part-time arrangements may be considered if approved by the supervisory team and in accordance with university policy
7. Be prepared to be located at the project location(s) that the host university has approved and, if required, comply with the host university’s external enrolment procedures
8. Be prepared to undergo onboarding to CSIRO, which will include passing mandatory government background checks (allow for between 4 to 8 weeks) and complete any other CSIRO requirements

In addition, the candidate should ideally possess the following skillset:

• A strong security background (in cryptography, mathematics, information security, or a related field)
• Previous industrial experience is not required but will be an advantage

Applications

Please submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to Associate Professor Amin Sakzad Amin.Sakzad@monash.edu

EOIs should include the following attachments:

• a cover letter (one A4 page maximum) explaining the applicant’s suitability for and interest in the topic;
• a curriculum vitae, including any relevant work experience (and a list of published works, if applicable);
• a copy of academic transcripts for all higher education qualifications;
• contact details of two academic referees
• any achievement records

Enquiries:

Associate Professor Amin Sakzad Amin.Sakzad@monash.edu

Associate Professor Ron Steinfeld Ron.Steinfeld@monash.edu

Raymond Zhao raymond.zhao@data61.csiro.au

Phil Yialeloglou phil@penten.com

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