Open Positions

🔍 I’m looking for curious and motivated students to join me for a PhD on security at the hardware-software boundary! I’m also looking for master-level interns who are enthusiastic about exploring research and considering a PhD.

Topics

I’m generally interested in building defenses with strong mathematical foundations for securing the hardware-software interface. My research spans several areas: formal methods, security, and computer (micro)-architecture.

I am primarily looking for candidates who have an interest in formal methods (e.g., functional programming, semantics, type systems, program verification, symbolic execution, etc.). I am also open to applications from people with a very strong low-level security or computer architecture background on less formal topics like hardware testing. I’m closely following offensive security research but not really doing that myself so I will not be able to guide you on this path.

Examples of possible topics:

• Formal binary analysis for microarchitectural security (e.g., Binsec),
• Programming language for hardware-software co-designs,
• Testing and formal verification for hardware.

Pre-requisite

Candidates should have:

• A master degree (or close to completion)
• Strong background in either low-level security, computer architecture, or formal methods
• English proficiency (please write to me in English)

Curiosity and motivation are very important for a PhD. I’m looking for candidates who are excited about learning new things and tackling new challenges, have the ability to think critically, and can work independently. Try to bring that across in your motivation letter!

Position

I’m hiring on a 3-year PhD position that is fully funded by the REV project (vulnerability research and exploitation) of the Cybersecurity PEPR. Benefits of the position are:

• Amazing location between the sea and the mountain
• Competitive French academic salary & company benefits (meal vouchers, health insurance, …)
• Very international environment (no need to speak French!)
• Supportive environment and low teaching load

The PhD will take place at EURECOM in the s3 group, which has extensive expertise in low-level security, including binary analysis, fuzzing, security of embedded systems…

I’m supporting more diversity in computer science so I’m particularly welcoming applications from under-represented groups and under-represented countries!

How to apply

First, make sure you have this page carefully. Then, email me at lesly-ann.daniel@eurecom.fr with the following documents:

• Motivation letter, explaining why you want to do research and why you think you are a good fit for the position. For instance, try to make a connection between your past experience and my work; show your motivation by giving specific examples; or if you have read paper related to my research, mention that.
• CV and grade transcripts (in French or English).
• Name of one person who can recommend you (best), or a recommendation letter from a professor, which clearly states that you are a good candidate do research. I will not answer incomplete applications. If you cannot include one of the above documents, add a justification in the email.

I receive a lot of applications. I read all of them but might not have time to answer everyone. So if I do not answer you, please accept my apologies and do not take it personally.

Put [PhD Application] or [Internship Application] in the object so that I know you read this until the end!