Securing the decentralized web with advanced authorization

(ref. BAP-2022-52)

Laatst aangepast : 26/01/2022

DistriNet is an international research group with extensive expertise in secure & distributed software. Embedded in the department of Computer Science of KU Leuven, DistriNet brings together a substantial critical mass of over 100 researchers, including 14 full-time professors, 11 permanent research staff members, 13 postdoctoral researchers, and about 70 PhD researchers. The conducted research is systems-centric, always application-driven and often performed in close collaboration with industry. The know-how of DistriNet formed the basis of multiple spin-off companies (https://distrinet.cs.kuleuven.be/spinoffs/). Within DistriNet, a team of more than 30 researchers works on secure, distributed and decentralized data systems. We focus on authentication, authorization, auditing and data protection tactics, for example in blockchain systems or decentralized web technologies like Solid. We apply our findings in case studies in real-life application domains, including e-health, industry 4.0, e-finance, e-media and e-government.

Responsibilities

Client-centric decentralized systems, such as the Solid decentralized web technology, empower the end-users to control their own data. However, with great power comes great responsibility and many challenges, for both app developers and end-users. Controlling which application can use which data depends on the usage context and trust of both the application and organization controlling the application. 

We are looking for motivated researchers to make decentralized systems more secure with interest in the following challenges and research topics:

• Decentralized identity and access management for the web
• Application-level access control for decentralized web applications
• Secure synchronization within decentralized data systems. 
• Privacy-aware data release and data sharing with web apps.
• User-driven and usage-driven access management for decentralized web applications. 

Profile

You share our strong interest in secure distributed systems and you have

• a master in computer science (or equivalent), 
• an analytical mind,
• technical skills,
• and fluent English communication skills.

Offer

We offer a full-time position as researcher, with or without a PhD trajectory in computer science :

• you will join a supportive and collaborative team in which you can develop know-how and expertise in state-of-the-art technologies,
• you will have the opportunity to build up research and innovation skills that are essential for a future career in academia or in industry,
• you will work in a multicultural working environment at the KU Leuven High Tech Campus.

Interested?

For more information please contact Mr. Bert Lagaisse, tel.: +32 16 32 78 55, mail: [email protected] or Mr. Davy Preuveneers, tel.: +32 16 32 78 53, mail: [email protected].

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at [email protected].