Channel-aware over-the-air post-quantum cryptography for 6G wireless networks

The security of today’s wireless networks relies heavily on cryptographic algorithms such as RSA and elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). These schemes underpin everything from mobile connectivity to cloud services. However, they are vulnerable to quantum computers, which will be able to break the underlying hard mathematical problems in a realistic time frame. To address this threat, new post-quantum cryptography (PQC) schemes have recently been standardised by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). While PQC provides quantum-resistant security, it comes at a price: significantly larger keys, higher computational complexity, increased storage and memory resources, and greater energy consumption. These overheads pose serious challenges for mobile and edge devices, battery-powered IoT nodes, and dense 6G networks, where latency, energy efficiency, and scalability are critical. 

This PhD project will investigate how to enable the efficient deployment of PQC in next-generation wireless networks by exploiting unique properties of the wireless channel itself. Instead of treating cryptography as an isolated layer, the project aims to develop a channel-aware, over-the-air PQC framework, in which parts of the cryptographic processing are co-designed with, distributed across, and partially embedded within the physical and link layers of the communication process.

Guided by a multidisciplinary supervisory team, this project will combine expertise in cryptography, security, and wireless communications. It is well suited to strong students from Electrical & Electronic Engineering or Computer Science, with interests in communication theory, information theory, networking, and/or cryptography, who are eager to undertake rigorous and impactful research at the intersection of wireless systems and security.

In addition to meeting the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme, we are particularly interested in applicants with expertise in one or more of the following areas: 

communication theory, information theory, wireless communications, networking, and cryptography. Candidates should be keen to work on rigorous, cross-disciplinary research at the intersection of wireless systems and security.

Open to any UK or international candidates. Up to 30% of our UKRI funded studentships can be awarded to candidates paying international rate fees. Find out more about eligibility.