About this role
Fixed-Term (24 months)
Salary is £41,374 to 48,639 per annum (including London Allowance)*
Applications are invited for the post of Post Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in the Department of Information Security at Royal Holloway.
This is a fixed term post for two years from October 2026 (flexible start date).
This is a two-year full-time position funded by the EPSRC Open Plus Fellowship Understandable Cryptography: A new approach to cryptography based on modular design and real-world security needs, starting around October 2026 (flexible start date). The successful candidate will join the Crypto Group at Royal Holloway, a dynamic research group comprising 9 academics and 10 PhD students, working on cutting-edge problems in cryptography. For more information on RHUL’s Crypto Group, please visit https://cryptography.isg.rhul.ac.uk/.
Cryptography underpins many aspects of modern digital life, and cryptographic protocols are used daily for activities ranging from messaging and online shopping to web browsing. While such protocols are often designed to provide advanced security and privacy guarantees, these do not always align well with the real-world needs of the users who rely on them. Furthermore, many users find it difficult to meaningfully interact with such technologies due to their complexity and lack of transparency. Electronic voting systems are a prominent example, where strong technical guarantees may coexist with limited usability, understanding, and trust.
This project aims to design new security definitions and cryptographic protocols that better align with users’ real-world needs, with a particular focus on advanced privacy. Our proposed approach combines modular protocol design to improve understandability with user studies to better capture and formalise practical privacy requirements.
The successful candidate will:
You will have a PhD in Computer Science or Maths (or be near completion) with a strong research record in the area of cryptography, preferably with experience in provable security. You will have demonstrated research capability through publications in top-tier venues.
The role offers an excellent opportunity to work on fundamental research problems with real-world impact, collaborate with leading academic partners including Royal Holloway, the University of Luxembourg, and École Polytechnique, and become part of a vibrant and supportive research environment.
You will be expected to conduct independent as well as collaborative research, publish in leading academic venues, collaborate with PhD students, and contribute to the overall goals of the Understandable Cryptography project.
In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:
Generous annual leave entitlement Rich Training and Development programmes Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing. Free parking
The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London.
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Dr Elizabeth Quaglia at [email protected] .
For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: [email protected]
Closing Date: 23:59, 15 July 2026
Interview Date: Week commencing 10th August 2026
Royal Holloway is committed to equality and diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community. Read here about structures and initiatives around equality and diversity, including information on staff diversity networks.