[Stellenangebote] job offer: research assistant - full-time job limited to 31.08.2025 - reference code: AGSI_2022.4_WiMi-SiTel

[Hengst, Anna Maria]

Dear fellow readers,

We would be pleased if you could consider our job offer:

https://www.fu-berlin.de/universitaet/beruf-karriere/jobs/english/MI-AGSI_2022_4_WiMi-SiTel_E.html<https://www.fu-berlin.de/universitaet/beruf-karriere/jobs/english/MI-AGSI_2022_2_WiMi-SiTel_E.html>

Research assistant (Praedoc) - full-time job limited to 31.08.2025 - Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L FU - reference code: AGSI_2022.4_WiMi-SiTel

Deadline for applications: Nov 1, 2022

The research group "Secure Identity" led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Volker Roth researches technical means to protect the security and privacy of individuals' information. This umbrella covers diverse research topics, including privacy enhancing technologies, privacy centric alternatives to existing tech platforms, the interplay of human-computer interfaces and security, and the theory and practice of systems security as a foundation.

Owed to its small size, the research group offers a friendly working atmosphere and dedicated mentoring by the professor. The research focus is on quality rather than quantity. Researchers have latitude to develop their own research agenda. The workplace is located in Berlin/Dahlem next to the Botanical Gardens with easy access to the center of Berlin via public transportation. Berlin itself is one of the most interesting and vibrant metropolitan cities in Europe. It offers a high quality of life and it features multiple universities, a diverse ecosystem of tech cultures to immerse oneself in.

Job description:
The research group is bootstrapping the development of a secure Open Source VoIP phone, from the hardware and software up to a custom enclosure and user interface we design ourselves. Its base system will consist of multiple 32-bit multi-core microprocessors with minimal complexity and no operating system. The chip being used is the Parallax Propeller whose HDL is governed by an Open Source license. Major research goals are the system design and the design of the human-computer interface. Anticipated users of the phone
are journalists and their sources as well as other professional groups who routinely handle privileged information.

The project requires work in three broad topic areas:

Firstly, the accurate simulation of the chips and periphery in software in order to aid efficient development and to provide a degree of assurance that the phone's implementation is free of errors.

Secondly, the design and implementation of the base system, including its cryptographic functions, while making the right trade-off between limited time/memory resources and functions implemented.

Thirdly, the design and implementation of a haptic user interface that is easy to understand and use, desirable, enjoyable and able to support the phone's security functions. This activity is supported a local industrial rapid prototyping firm.

All positions are supported by student research aides. Conference travel is likewise supported. A doctoral degree may be pursued in this position and this is actually preferred. However, this position is also open to individuals with an engineering mindset who are primarily motivated by designing and developing a practical system of societal and political significance. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

* Position 3, Application profile

This particular position is dedicated to the third topic area mentioned above, the design and implementation of the enclosure and its (haptic) user interface. This position works in close cooperation with our project partner, an industrial rapid prototyping firm located in Berlin.

Requirements:
Master's degree in computer science or equivalent knowledge and skills

Desirable:
We expect you to have some background and a deep interest in:

- design and development of interactive hardware
- electronics, materials and engineering
- rapid prototyping
- driver development
- the study of human-computer interaction

Stellar candidates also have some knowledge of and an interest in but not limited to:

- cryptography
- statistics
- the Parallax Propeller chip

Besides technical knowledge and experience we expect you to

- be curious
- work well in a team
- have a problem-solving attitude
- work independently
- have a tendency to take the initiative

Experience with publishing research results according to scientific standards is desired.

For further information, please contact Ms. Anna Maria Hengst (anna.hengst at fu-berlin.de<mailto:anna.hengst at fu-berlin.de> / +49 30 838 60526).

Applications should be sent by e-mail, together with significant documents, indicating the reference code, in PDF format (preferably as one document) to Ms. Anna Maria Hengst: anna.hengst at fu-berlin.de<mailto:anna.hengst at fu-berlin.de>

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Anna Maria Hengst
Office
Secure Identity Research Group | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Volker Roth
Institute of Computer Science
Freie Universität Berlin
anna.hengst at fu-berlin.de<mailto:anna.hengst at fu-berlin.de>
+49 30 838 60526