Novel side channels across boundaries: Attacks and Defences

This project aims to discover novel side-channels and investigate their countermeasures using machine learning approaches. 

In a side channel, sensitive information leaks accidentally via some medium or mechanism that was not designed or intended for communication. Exploiting a side channel, an adversary can compromise completely the security of a cryptographic scheme (which would otherwise be secure), or even an entire computer system. Side channels have been a major topic in cybersecurity, with growing interests in both academia and industry.   

Depending on technical backgrounds and research interests, you may work on either cryptographical side-channels or non-cryptographical ones, with a focus on one or several of the following strands.   

1. Physical side-channels (e.g. acoustic, optical or EM ones) that cross the boundary between the physical and the digital.
2. Software and hardware side-channels that will break Deep Learning models.
3. Side-channels between virtual machines and trusted hardware.

You will build on our award-winning research. In either strand, you will find machine learning helps detect complex pattern of attacks that may result in information exposure or performance reduction.  

You will have opportunities for working with our collaborators in academia and industry, including Cambridge, Imperial, Microsoft, Nvidia, ARM, and Google DeepMind. 

For informal enquiries please get in touch with the Professor Jeff Yan – Jeff.Yan@soton.ac.uk 

Funding for this project is offered by the Centre for Doctoral Training in Complex Integrated Systems for Defence & Security (CISDnS), which will recruit motivated and inquisitive candidates across the themes of Digital, Physical and Biological systems to provide a diverse and interconnected cohort training environment. You can read more about the Centre and the training programme at https://cisdns-cdt.ac.uk/ 

To discuss aspect related to the CISDnS CDT please contact the directorate – cisdns@soton.ac.uk   

This PhD studentship is open only to UK applicants. This project is suitable for applicants with technical backgrounds in computer science, electrical engineering, acoustics, maths or physics.  

CISDnS is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break or are transitioning into a new role. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance. 

Closing date: 5th May 2025

Entry requirements: A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent). Following the diversity objectives of CISDnS, we will accept many forms of equivalent prior learning.

Funding: Full-time studentships will cover UK tuition fees and an enhanced tax-free stipend of approx. £24,700 per year for 4 years, along with a substantial budget for research, travel, and centre activities.  

How to apply

Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk).  

Select Full-time or Part-time, programme type (Research), 2025/26, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, next page select “iPhD Complex Integrated Systems in Defence & Security (Full-Time)” 

In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Professor Jeff Yan.

Applications should include:

• curriculum vitae giving details of your academic record and stating your research interests
• name two current academic referees together with an institutional email addresses in the Reference section of the application form. On submission of your online application your referees will be automatically emailed requesting they send a reference to us directly by email.
• your academic transcript and degree certificate (translated if not in English) – if you have completed both a BSc & an MSc, we require both.
• include a short statement of your research interests in the Personal Statement section of the application form.