Postdoctoral Research Associate

Right to work: Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website . 

Full-Time, Fixed-Term (24 months)

Applications are invited for the post of Post Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in the Department of Information Security at Royal Holloway.

This is a fixed term post for two years from October 2026 (flexible start date).

This is a two-year full-time position funded by the EPSRC Open Plus Fellowship Understandable Cryptography: A new approach to cryptography based on modular design and real-world security needs, starting around October 2026 (flexible start date). The successful candidate will join the Crypto Group at Royal Holloway, a dynamic research group comprising 9 academics and 10 PhD students, working on cutting-edge problems in cryptography. For more information on RHUL’s Crypto Group, please visit https://cryptography.isg.rhul.ac.uk/.

Cryptography underpins many aspects of modern digital life, and cryptographic protocols are used daily for activities ranging from messaging and online shopping to web browsing. While such protocols are often designed to provide advanced security and privacy guarantees, these do not always align well with the real-world needs of the users who rely on them. Furthermore, many users find it difficult to meaningfully interact with such technologies due to their complexity and lack of transparency. Electronic voting systems are a prominent example, where strong technical guarantees may coexist with limited usability, understanding, and trust.

This project aims to design new security definitions and cryptographic protocols that better align with users’ real-world needs, with a particular focus on advanced privacy. Our proposed approach combines modular protocol design to improve understandability with user studies to better capture and formalise practical privacy requirements.

The successful candidate will:

You will have a PhD in Computer Science or Maths (or be near completion) with a strong research record in the area of cryptography, preferably with experience in provable security. You will have demonstrated research capability through publications in top-tier venues. 

The role offers an excellent opportunity to work on fundamental research problems with real-world impact, collaborate with leading academic partners including Royal Holloway, the University of Luxembourg, and École Polytechnique, and become part of a vibrant and supportive research environment. 

You will be expected to conduct independent as well as collaborative research, publish in leading academic venues, collaborate with PhD students, and contribute to the overall goals of the Understandable Cryptography project.

In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement 
• Rich Training and Development programmes
• Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution 
• Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing. 
• Free parking 

The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London. 

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Dr Elizabeth Quaglia at [email protected] .

For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: [email protected] .

Please quote the reference: 0626-193

Closing Date: 23:59, 15 July 2026  

Interview Date: Week commencing 10th August 2026

The university has adopted hybrid working for some roles therefore some remote working may be possible for this role.

Royal Holloway is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and encourages applications from all people regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, parental status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or trans status or history. More information on our structures and initiatives around EDI, including information on staff diversity networks, can be found on our Equality and Diversity Intranet page .