Research Fellow, Embedded Security & Side-Channel Analysis

Position Details

School of Computer Science, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary £36,636 to £46,049, potential progression to £48,822.
Grade: 7
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2029.
Closing date: 11th June 2026.

To create and contribute to the creation of knowledge within the PRESEC research project, focusing on side‑channel leakage of physical characteristics (instantaneous power consumption, EM emanation, timing) that enable powerful key‑recovery attacks. This research requires understanding both hardware and software aspects. The project aims to model and analyse pre‑silicon leakage to guide robust designs for embedded CPUs and dedicated cryptographic hardware, spanning four years with several partners.

Researchers with a background in hardware design or side‑channel analysis are sought.

• Work within specified research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids.
• Operate within area of specialism.
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results.
• Contribute to generating funding.
• Contribute to licensing or spin‑out deals with demonstrated commercial success, public understanding, or similar.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with mentor assistance if required.
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding.
• Analyse and interpret data.
• Apply knowledge to develop new intellectual understanding.
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars, etc.
• Supervise students on research work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods.
• Undertake management/administration arising from research.
• Contribute to departmental/school research‑related activities and administration.
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities that benefit the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader.
• Collect research data through scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews.
• Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications, seminars, and posters.
• Provide guidance to support staff and any students assisting with research.
• Deal with problems affecting research objectives and deadlines.
• Promote equality and value diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

• First degree in area of specialism and normally a higher degree relevant to the research area or equivalent qualifications/experience.
• High‑level analytical capability.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to develop new ones.
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
• Contribute to planning and organising the research programme and/or specific research project.
• Co‑ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and how to actively ensure that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Informal enquiries to Elisabeth Oswald, email: