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- Tasks: Develop algorithms for counting encrypted ballots using the STV method.
- Company: Join Swansea University, a leading institution in research and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a fully funded PhD with a stipend and additional research expenses.
- Why this job: Contribute to secure election systems while enhancing your skills in cryptography and programming.
- Qualifications: Hold a 2.1 degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field.
- Other info: No need to be an expert in Coq or Cryptography; familiarity is enough.
The predicted salary is between 20780 - 20780 £ per year.
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Organisation/Company Swansea University Department Central Research Field Computer science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 18 Aug 2025 – 23:59 (Europe/London) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Recently, many councils in Wales started using single transferable vote (STV) method for counting ballots. While counting plaintext ballots using STV method is straight forward, but a rank-based ballot may leak the voter’s preferences if published publicly in plaintext, as the ranking order can reveal detailed information about the voter’s identity. Therefore encryption is necessary to hide the ranking. However, STV method becomes considerably more complex with encrypted ballots. Our goal is to develop an algorithm/protocol to count encrypted ballot using the STV method. Our first point of investigation will be zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive argument of knowledge– ZkSNARK. Subsequently, we will formalise the front-end (R1CS) and back-end (Groth16) of ZkSNARK in the Coq theorem prover and use this formalisation to encode our STV algorithm on encrypted ballots. This approach aims to ensure both the correctness and privacy of the tallying process, paving the way for verifiable and secure election systems that is resistant to coercion.
Requirement: You are not required to be an expert in Coq or Cryptography; familiarity with Coq and Cryptography is fine. However, you should be comfortable with a functional programming language Haskell, OCaml, etc.
PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related discipline, or an appropriate master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.
Additional Information
This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26).
Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.
PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level in Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related discipline, or an appropriate master’s degree with a minimum overall grade at ‘Merit’ (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University). Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.
Selection process
Please see our website for further information
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Computer Science: Fully Funded PhD studentship in Zero-knowledge Succinct Non-interactive Argum[...] employer: European Commission
Contact Detail:
European Commission Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Computer Science: Fully Funded PhD studentship in Zero-knowledge Succinct Non-interactive Argum[...]
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the concepts of zero-knowledge proofs and succinct non-interactive arguments. Understanding these topics will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the research area.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the academic community by attending relevant conferences or workshops. Networking with professionals in the field can provide insights into current trends and may even lead to valuable connections that could support your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your functional programming skills, particularly in Haskell or OCaml. Being able to showcase your coding abilities in these languages will set you apart from other candidates who may not have this expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider reaching out to potential supervisors at Swansea University to express your interest in their work. This proactive approach can help you gain insights into the PhD programme and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the research.
We think you need these skills to ace Computer Science: Fully Funded PhD studentship in Zero-knowledge Succinct Non-interactive Argum[...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Research Focus: Familiarise yourself with the specific research area of zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive arguments and the STV method. This will help you tailor your application to demonstrate your interest and understanding of the project.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Make sure to emphasise your familiarity with functional programming languages like Haskell or OCaml, as well as any experience you have with Coq or cryptography. This will show that you meet the requirements and are prepared for the research.
Craft a Strong Personal Statement: In your personal statement, clearly articulate your motivation for pursuing this PhD position. Discuss how your background aligns with the project goals and what you hope to achieve during your research.
Check Academic Qualifications: Ensure that your academic qualifications meet the specified requirements. If you're an international applicant, verify how your qualifications compare to the UK standards as outlined on Swansea University's Country Specific Entry Requirements page.
How to prepare for a job interview at European Commission
✨Understand the Research Focus
Make sure you have a solid grasp of the project’s aim, particularly around zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive arguments. Familiarise yourself with the STV method and how encryption plays a role in it.
✨Showcase Your Programming Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with functional programming languages like Haskell or OCaml. Highlight any relevant projects or coursework that demonstrate your proficiency.
✨Prepare Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask about the research environment at Swansea University. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
✨Highlight Your Academic Background
Be ready to discuss your academic qualifications, especially your undergraduate degree or master's degree. Emphasise how your background aligns with the requirements of the PhD position.
