KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Project description

The third-cycle subject the doctoral student will be admitted to is computer science, more information at https://intra.kth.se/en/eecs/forskarutbildning/doctoral-programmes/computer-science-1.817607

The doctoral student will work in the area of run-time monitoring for smart contracts.

Why run-time monitoring? Existing vulnerability detection techniques mostly rely on generic execution-flow patterns and do not capture run-time data precisely. As a result of that, they tend to over-report some problems while missing others. In particular, it is important to monitor the temporal behavior and execution cost (“gas” usage) of transactions in smart contracts during their execution. However, run-time monitoring of smart contracts is currently not possible in a precise way due to inherent limitations of their execution environment.

This project investigates what run-time properties smart contracts have to fulfill in order to be safe from certain types of vulnerabilities, while also implementing the necessary infrastructure for such monitoring. As a result of the project, we will get novel approaches for monitoring smart contracts against vulnerabilities and learn about safe designs for next-generation smart-contracts and even smart-contract platforms.

Please contact Cyrille Artho (artho@kth.se) by email for further information. In addition to email inquiries, all applications must be formally made through the KTH website.

Supervision: The doctoral student will be placed at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and supervised by Cyrille Artho.

What we offer

  • The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.
  • Life-long network through KTH’s Alumni organization.
  • A compulsory individual study plan to support your development in your area of interest.
  • A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
  • A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
  • Work and study in Stockholm, one of Europe’s fastest growing capitals, which is close to both nature and the sea.
  • Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH.
  • You will be part of a dynamic group that works on the confluence of run-time analysis, machine learning, and visualization.

Eligibility

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

  • passed a degree at advanced level,
  • completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits at advanced level, or
  • in any other way acquired within or outside the country acquired essentially equivalent knowledge.

Selection

In order to succeed as an doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. In the selection of the applicants, the following will be assessed:

  • ability to independently pursue his or hers work,
  • ability to collaborate with others,
  • have a professional approach and
  • analyse and work with complex issues.

Knowledge of run-time monitoring or smart contracts is a plus but not required. We understand that this project spans multiple disciplines, so we encourage candidates who are interested in learning and mastering them.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities and personal suitability.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those who are or have been admitted to third-cycle studies may be employed as a doctoral student. The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year and may there after be extended. Doctoral students may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Union representatives

You will find contact information for union representatives on KTH's website.

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

You will find contact information for doctoral section on the section's website.

Application

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/entral European Summer Time).

Applications must include the following elements:

  • CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
  • Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
  • Copy of the degree certificate(s) and transcripts of records from your previously attended university-level institutions. Translations into English or Swedish if the original documents are not issued in one of these languages.
  • Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

Gender equality, diversity and zero tolerance against discrimination and harassment are important aspects of KTH's work with quality as well as core values in our organization.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to the agreement but Jan 1 2020 at the earliest
Salary Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number J-2019-2837
Contact
  • Anna Olanås Jansson, annaoj@kth.se
  • Cyrille Artho , artho@kth.se
Published 14.Nov.2019
Last application date 15.Jan.2020 11:59 PM CET

Return to job vacancies