TalTech invites applications for a funded PhD position in Resource-Efficient Cryptographic Mitigation Methods in Power Systems within SIPSIK (Securing Power Systems against Cyberattacks). The research will investigate practical cryptographic protection for critical energy infrastructure, including the transition to post-quantum security. The candidate will develop and evaluate approaches that balance security with the computational, communication and real-time requirements of power systems.
The project will address the following key areas:
Power systems depend on digital communication and control technologies whose protection must accommodate strict operational constraints. Cryptographic mechanisms can strengthen security, but their deployment must preserve the reliability, availability and performance of critical energy infrastructure. The emergence of quantum computing also creates a need to investigate migration from vulnerable public-key mechanisms to post-quantum alternatives.
This doctoral research will investigate resource-efficient cryptographic mitigation methods for power-system environments. The candidate will analyse protection requirements across generation, transmission and distribution, identify relevant attack scenarios, and examine suitable symmetric-key, lightweight and post-quantum approaches.
The research will assess trade-offs between security strength, processing time, memory requirements, communication overhead and compatibility with existing equipment and protocols. Particular attention will be paid to integrating protection into operational environments without compromising time-critical functions.
Selected approaches will be implemented and evaluated through reproducible experiments using network simulation, real-time digital simulation and cyber-physical testbeds, where available. Evaluation will consider normal operation and disturbed conditions, including representative cyberattack scenarios.
Conducted within the SIPSIK project, the research will produce validated protection methods and practical recommendations for cryptographic deployment and post-quantum migration in critical power infrastructure.
Responsibilities and (foreseen) tasks:
Review cryptographic protection mechanisms and identify research gaps relevant to power systems.
Analyse security requirements, attack scenarios and operational constraints.
Develop and implement resource-efficient cryptographic mitigation approaches.
Evaluate security, latency, resource consumption and compatibility through simulation and experiments.
Formulate recommendations for cryptographic deployment and post-quantum migration.
Collaborate with project partners, publish scientific results and prepare the doctoral thesis.
Applicants should fulfil the following requirements:
A master’s degree or equivalent qualification in cybersecurity, computer engineering, electrical engineering, power systems, computer science or a closely related discipline.
A strong background in cryptography, post-quantum cryptography or power-system simulation.
Good programming skills, particularly in Python.
An understanding of computer networks, digital systems or critical-infrastructure security.
The ability to conduct systematic research, design experiments and critically analyse results.
Good written and spoken English, meeting TalTech’s doctoral admission requirements.
The ability to work independently and collaborate within an interdisciplinary research team
The following experience is beneficial:
Symmetric-key cryptography, lightweight cryptography or post-quantum cryptographic algorithms.
Implementing and benchmarking cryptographic software or security protocols.
Power-system operation, smart grids or industrial communication protocols.
Real-time digital simulation, NS-3, RTDS or comparable simulation environments.
Cyber-physical systems, threat modelling or cyberattack simulation.
Evaluating processing latency, memory consumption and communication overhead.
Scientific writing or participation in relevant research projects.
We offer:
A funded doctoral position with a gross monthly salary of at least EUR 2,300 for full-time employment.
An international and interdisciplinary research environment at TalTech.
Supervision combining expertise in cryptography, cybersecurity, computing and power systems.
Collaboration with academic researchers and energy-sector partners through SIPSIK.
Opportunities to evaluate research through simulation and experimental environments.
Opportunities to publish scientific results and present findings at research conferences.
Tuition-free doctoral studies and opportunities for professional development.
Supervisors:
Main supervisor: Assistant Professor Tara Ghasempouri
Co-Supervisor: Associate Professor of Theoretical Computer Science Sedat Akleylek, University of Tartu, Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Computer Science
Co-Supervisor: Relay protection and Automation Expert Marko Tealane, School of Engineering: Department of Electrical Power Engineering and Mechatronics
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) is an international scientific community with approximately 9,000 students and 2,000 employees; it is one of the largest universities in Estonia, the leading EU country in digitalisation. The university's strengths are broad multidisciplinary study/research interests, a modern research environment, and strong collaboration with international educational and research institutions. TalTech is aiming to be an organisation leading the way to a sustainable digital future.
The Department of Computer Systems is part of the School of Information Technologies at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech). Its research focuses on secure, dependable and intelligent computing systems. Areas of expertise include the reliability, verification and testing of nanoelectronic systems, intelligent and control systems, virtual reality and biorobotics. The department provides education at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels and contributes to the Computer and Systems Engineering curricula. Through international research collaboration and interdisciplinary projects, it connects computing research with practical technological challenges
For information about the admission process, please visit the PhD Admission homepage or contact the doctoral admission team at docstudy@taltech.ee.
Applications can be submitted from 04.11.2026 to 04.12.2026
For further info, please contact:
Tara Ghasempouri, Email: tara.ghasempouri@taltech.ee
Sedat Akleylek, Email: sedat.akleylek@ut.ee
Marko Tealane, Email: marko.tealane@taltech.ee
